Green treat for nature lovers

A touch of green in a concrete jungle is always a welcome sight for people who have been long in city pent. The National Tree Fair, which is showcasing various species of plants on the trade fair premises at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, right at the heart of the city, is a feast for their eyes.  
Although the government has not formally inaugurated the month-long fair, which started on June 6, tree lovers who want to see a bit of green around them are regularly visiting the place. This correspondent found some enthusiastic people taking selfies with the trees and some bargaining with the seller to buy some of the plants.
Farid Mia, owner of Rashida Nursery, has brought Pakistani mangoes at the fair from his nursery in Ashulia. His stall not only showcases different kinds of mango trees but is jam-packed with local and foreign fruit plants, herbs and forestry.  "We've been participating at the fair for the last 10 years, as it is a major platform for getting big orders from large companies. We've already received some orders here. Some of our major projects are going on at different places in the country. We've also got many roadside tree plantation projects to implement,” he said.
"We provide certain facilities to our customers. If any customer orders a large number of plants, we deliver the products through our own transport to their suitable location anywhere in the country without any transport cost. We also employ specialist labours who will plant the trees and nurture them, if needed," he added.
He also said that they are yet to earn expected revenue this year because the fair has not been inaugurated formally and customers have not been informed properly about the fair.
Indigenous and rare plant species, orchids, domestic and foreign diverse cactus, shrubs, and many types of herbs are now being displayed by the sellers at different stalls in the tree fair.
One can see herbal plants like basil leaves, Asiatic pennywort and Asoca; juicy fruits like custard apple, hog plum, arum, pomegranate, malta, pear and grape; ornamental plants like Chinese banyan and Pakor banyan trees; green stuffs like gourd, pumpkin, pepper and myrobalan; flower plants like hibiscus and jasmine, rose; and other species like bamboo and cane at the fair.  Fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, flowerpot, plant vitamins, plant related books, herbal medicines, and gardening equipment like scissors and baskets are also selling at the fair.  
The price of different species of mango ranges from Tk. 500-20,000, while hog plum is selling for Tk. 400-600. Arum is selling for Tk. 300-500 and lemon for Tk. 200-2,000. Pomegranate is selling for Tk. 600-1,500, while Orange is selling for Tk. 1,000-1,500. Chinese banyan and Pakor banyan are selling for Tk. 5,000-20,000.
Porters are available at the fair to carry the plants, while a number of rental pick up vans waiting outside the fair can carry the trees to the home of the customer.
Rahima Begum (55), who came from Gulshan, told The Independent “I love to plant trees. However, I have limited space for plans at the narrow corridors of my apartment. That’s why I usually prefer cactus and bonsai, as these species are beautiful and can grow up without sunlight.”  
Mansura Begum, a housewife from Mirpur, said, “I've been waiting for a long time for the tree fair as almost all types of plants can be found at the fair. I think tree plantation not only helps to refresh one's mind and body but also brings money if anyone wants to plant trees for commercial purpose."
Kabir Hossain Khan, assistant officer of BRAC Nursery, said, “We always try to provide quality plants to the customer and never misguide anyone with false information about the species.”
Talking about the “high” price of the plants, Harun ur Rashid, owner of Green Land Nursery, told The Independent that they have been selling all the plants at reasonable prices. "We must cover our transport and stall costs by taking additional charges from the customer," he said.
Golam Haider, general secretary of the Bangladesh Green Roof Movement, said, “We've participated at the tree fair to encourage people to plant trees to make the capital green. We also give tips to tree lovers about planting trees. Our vow is to make the country green. Any tree lover is welcome to be a member of our voluntary organisation.”  
There are 89 public and private stalls at the fair which is open from 9am till 8pm. There is no entry fee for tree enthusiasts.  The theme of this year's fair is “On the mountains, on the sea coast, let’s plant tree together.” 

Green treat for nature lovers

A touch of green in a concrete jungle is always a welcome sight for people who have been long in city pent. The National Tree Fair, which is showcasing various species of plants on the trade fair premises at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, right at the heart of the city, is a feast for their eyes. Although the government has not formally inaugurated the month-long fair, which started on June 6, tree lovers who want to see a bit of green around them are regularly visiting the place. This correspondent found some enthusiastic people taking selfies with the trees and some bargaining with the seller to buy some of the plants. Farid Mia, owner of Rashida Nursery, has brought Pakistani mangoes at the fair from his nursery in Ashulia. His stall not only showcases different kinds of mango trees but is jam-packed with local and foreign fruit plants, herbs and forestry. Weve been participating at the fair for the last 10 years, as it is a major platform for getting big orders from large companies. Weve already received some orders here. Some of our major projects are going on at different places in the country. Weve also got many roadside tree plantation projects to implement, he said. We provide certain facilities to our customers. If any customer orders a large number of plants, we deliver the products through our own transport to their suitable location anywhere in the country without any transport cost. We also employ specialist labours who will plant the trees and nurture them, if needed, he added. He also said that they are yet to earn expected revenue this year because the fair has not been inaugurated formally and customers have not been informed properly about the fair. Indigenous and rare plant species, orchids, domestic and foreign diverse cactus, shrubs, and many types of herbs are now being displayed by the sellers at different stalls in the tree fair. One can see herbal plants like basil leaves, Asiatic pennywort and Asoca; juicy fruits like custard apple, hog plum, arum, pomegranate, malta, pear and grape; ornamental plants like Chinese banyan and Pakor banyan trees; green stuffs like gourd, pumpkin, pepper and myrobalan; flower plants like hibiscus and jasmine, rose; and other species like bamboo and cane at the fair. Fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, flowerpot, plant vitamins, plant related books, herbal medicines, and gardening equipment like scissors and baskets are also selling at the fair. The price of different species of mango ranges from Tk. 500-20,000, while hog plum is selling for Tk. 400-600. Arum is selling for Tk. 300-500 and lemon for Tk. 200-2,000. Pomegranate is selling for Tk. 600-1,500, while Orange is selling for Tk. 1,000-1,500. Chinese banyan and Pakor banyan are selling for Tk. 5,000-20,000. Porters are available at the fair to carry the plants, while a number of rental pick up vans waiting outside the fair can carry the trees to the home of the customer. Rahima Begum (55), who came from Gulshan, told The Independent I love to plant trees. However, I have limited space for plans at the narrow corridors of my apartment. Thats why I usually prefer cactus and bonsai, as these species are beautiful and can grow up without sunlight. Mansura Begum, a housewife from Mirpur, said, Ive been waiting for a long time for the tree fair as almost all types of plants can be found at the fair. I think tree plantation not only helps to refresh ones mind and body but also brings money if anyone wants to plant trees for commercial purpose. Kabir Hossain Khan, assistant officer of BRAC Nursery, said, We always try to provide quality plants to the customer and never misguide anyone with false information about the species. Talking about the high price of the plants, Harun ur Rashid, owner of Green Land Nursery, told The Independent that they have been selling all the plants at reasonable prices. We must cover our transport and stall costs by taking additional charges from the customer, he said. Golam Haider, general secretary of the Bangladesh Green Roof Movement, said, Weve participated at the tree fair to encourage people to plant trees to make the capital green. We also give tips to tree lovers about planting trees. Our vow is to make the country green. Any tree lover is welcome to be a member of our voluntary organisation. There are 89 public and private stalls at the fair which is open from 9am till 8pm. There is no entry fee for tree enthusiasts. The theme of this years fair is On the mountains, on the sea coast, lets plant tree together.