Tree fair woos Bangladesh's nature lovers with green feast

DHAKA — Nature lovers in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka throng the national tree fair, admiring exquisite plants of various kinds from home and abroad.

From June 5, participants at the monthlong fair have displayed exquisite topiary plants of various kinds from abroad, specifically from China.

The fair, held at a popular site beside the Bangabandhu International Conference Center, also known as the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, aims to encourage gardening and tree-planting among Dhaka city dwellers.

Faisal Ahmed, a proprietor of a local nursery, has been participating in the fair for a number of years. This year, he showcased mainly plants he procured from China.

"In my nursery, many indigenous and endangered plants and various exotic forest plants with flowers and fruits are available," he told Xinhua News Agency.

One that stands out among the bonsai plants on display is the Chinese banyan tree bonsai, which is estimated to be at least 17 to 18 years old.

"This tree is a very nice tree for tree lovers … There are many people who want to collect it," he said, noting that this Chinese topiary is like an antique showpiece item.

Dinara Sharmin, a visitor from the Banani area in Dhaka, bought mango, moringa and papaya trees at the fair.

"If you plant a tree at home, many birds will come. We plant trees on balconies, plant trees indoors, which look beautiful and are good for the environment," Sharmin said.

Businessman Md Abdur Rahman said if this kind of fair is held every year, it will give people a lot of joy as trees are oxygen factories.

"Our environment will be much more standardized," he said, adding that the tree fair is very important and much needed as climate change affects everyone.

Xinhua