Khulna: A three-week tree fair at Khulna Circuit House Field, near the tennis ground, is drawing large crowds as it enters its second week. Many nature lovers visited the fair on Sunday, as nursery owners turned the venue into a vibrant display of local and foreign plant varieties.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the 21-day fair, which was inaugurated on July 7, aims to promote tree planting and environmental awareness among the younger generation. Visitors can find various fruit trees, flowering plants, and medicinal herbs at the fair. The event also highlights the importance of tree plantation for a green and sustainable Bangladesh.
Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Firoz Sarkar inaugurated the fair which will continue throughout the month of July. G M Robiul Islam, on duty officer at the fair’s control room, said the tree fair that attracts nature enthusiasts has been held here annually for about a decade. This year’s fair boasts a total of 61 participating organizations, with 10 of them being government agencies. The fair is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm, and there is no entry fee.
As of Saturday, 17,686 saplings worth approximately Taka 25.71 lakh had been sold. Large crowds were seen at Nizam Nursery as they are displaying different kinds of dwarf fruit plants, flower, and medicinal varieties. The visitors were impressed by the fruits and flowers already hanging on the plants.
Md Nizam Sheikh, the owner of the nursery, mentioned that he bought different kinds of dwarf fruit and flower plants mainly targeting urban gardeners. He is also displaying moringa plants of different sizes and ages at his stall. “The plants bear fruit throughout the year and the price of each plant ranges between Taka 400 to Taka 500,” Nizam said.
Sumon Mallick, an official of Agrani Bank Clay Road Branch, stated that he bought a moringa plant, mango plants, and many flower plants from the nursery. He was searching for short and quick fruit-bearing plants suitable for rooftops.
The fair also showcases a vast range of native and exotic fruit trees, including Sapodilla, Monkey Jack, Langsat, Olive, Lemon, Pomelo, Custard Apple, Black Plum, Cashew, Carandas, Rose Apple, Indian gooseberry, Grapes, Jujube, and Wild olives. Exotic fruits include Avocado, Persimmon, Rambutan, Longan, and Durian. Some stalls are even offering coconut saplings from Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Kerala, India.
S M Badrul Alam Royal, president of the Khulna Nursery Owners Association, noted that “A wide variety of native and foreign plants, including rooftop garden species, are available. Buyers’ response has been great from the beginning. The forest department and district administration are regularly checking in with us.”