Khulna tree fair overwhelmed with visitors

KHULNA, July 22: The ongoing tree fair on Khulna Circuit House ground is showcasing a diverse collection of plants, including fruit, flower, and medicinal varieties.

The month-long fair, which was inaugurated here on July 11, aims to promote tree plantation and environmental awareness among the younger generation.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam, MP, inaugurated the fair on July 11, which will continue throughout the months of July and August. This year the theme of the fair is “Brikkho Ropone Sajay Desh, Sobar Agae Bangladesh.”

Md Zakir Hossain, on duty officer at the fair’s control room, said that the fair that attracts nature enthusiasts has been held here annually for about a decade. “This year’s fair has a total of 62 participating organisations, one more than last year, with 10 of them being government agencies. The fair is open daily from 9am to 9pm, and there is no entry fee,” he also said.

As of Tuesday, 21,237 saplings worth approximately Tk 30,07,110 had been sold. Of the saplings sold, 941 were of medicinal trees, 1,754 were of forest trees, 5,846 were of fruit trees, 5,551 were of flower trees, 5,664 were of beautification trees, and 1,481 were of other trees.

Visitors have seen a vibrant display of colourful fruits�"red, yellow, and green mangoes, along with local varieties like jackfruit, Indian gooseberry, and carandas�"hanging from branches on the fair premises.

DFO of the Sundarban West Forest Division A Z M Hasanur Rahman expressed optimism, saying, “We expect this year’s fair to generate more enthusiasm than last year.”

Md Nizam Nursery leads in sapling sales so far. Monirul, a salesman from the nursery, said their stall features around 15 varieties of guava saplings, Thai Kadbel and Thai and Batabi lemons.

Md Faruk, owner of Safayet Garden, said, this year, many visitors are buying fruit and beautification saplings.
SM Badrul Alam Royal, President of the Khulna Nursery Owners Association, said, “A wide variety of native and foreign plants, including rooftop garden species, are available. Buyers’ response has been great from the beginning. The Department of Forest and the district administration are regularly checking in with us.”

Sakib, a salesman of Abdul Karim Nursery, mentioned that saplings are selling well overall, with mango, strawberry, and guava saplings seeing the highest demand.

Ali Abrar and Sithi Islam, couple from the City’s No. 1 Nirala area, said, “We are very crazy about plants. We start our day by tending to them. Today, we’ve purchased widely known and unknown varieties of saplings, including beautification varieties.”

At the Sundarban stall run by the Mangrove Silviculture Division, species like Sundari, Khalshi, Kakra, Garjan, Dhundul, and Poshur are on display.

There are also preserved specimens of tiger skulls and various fish native to the region, with informational leaflets provided for visitors on the fair premises.