The month-long tree fair at Khulna Circuit House Ground is drawing large crowds as visitors flock to explore a wide range of local and exotic plant varieties.
Organised jointly by the Khulna district administration and the Sundarban West Forest Department, the fair began on July 11 to promote tree plantation and raise environmental awareness, particularly among younger people.
According to the fair's control room, 62 organisations, including 10 government agencies, are participating in this year's event. The fair remains open daily from 9am with free entry.
As of Monday, around 37,570 saplings worth Tk 54,27,620 had been sold, reflecting strong public interest.
Rare and exotic saplings have emerged as major attractions, including the medicinal Corossol Tree, believed to have cancer-preventive properties, the Ghugu Pakhi variety and Star Jui, which is priced at Tk15,000 per plant.
Fruit trees, particularly mango saplings, are among the best-selling items, while urban gardeners are showing growing interest in dwarf and early-fruiting varieties suitable for rooftops and small spaces. Flowering plants, orchids and tub-friendly fruit plants are also in high demand.
"The price of fruit plants that bear year-round ranges from Tk800 to Tk1,500," said Abu Masud, owner of Dalia Nursery. He said his stall features a range of fruit plants aimed at urban gardeners, alongside moringa saplings grown from seeds sourced from India.
Visitors said they came to expand their rooftop gardens with fruit and ornamental plants.
"I bought a moringa plant, a Japanese cherry blossom plant and several varieties of roses," said Sithi Islam, a resident of Nirala.
Farzana Mithila of Hazi Mohsin Road said she purchased fruit and flower plants, along with three lojjaboti saplings.
Md Zakir Hossain, duty officer at the fair's control room, said adequate security measures had been put in place for traders and visitors.
The annual fair has been a popular event in Khulna for nearly a decade, attracting nature lovers and gardening enthusiasts from across the city.
