The month-long National Tree Fair 2026 is in full swing on the grounds next to the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. Trees of many local and foreign species, green surroundings and a festive mood are drawing crowds from all walks of life every day. Indoor plants for home decoration and rooftop garden plants are the best sellers.

This year's theme is "Let us decorate the country by planting trees, Bangladesh before all". The fair began on 9 July and runs until 7 August. Entry is free and no ticket is needed.

According to the Forest Department, a total of 8,12,802 saplings of various kinds were sold from the first day, 9 July, to 23 July, for Tk 6,73,29,236.

Demand is highest for home decoration and rooftop garden plants. Orchid and cactus saplings are relatively expensive, while mango saplings are available relatively cheaply.

Visitors have been particularly drawn to saplings of foreign rambutan, persimmon, Ajwa dates, Pakistani pomegranate and popular mango varieties. Small saplings of these trees are selling for Tk 500 to Tk 3,000.

Visitor Mehedi Hasan told Jago News: "I come to the tree fair every year. I came this year too, though I couldn't come in the early days because of the rain. Here you find local and foreign species all in one place. I came mainly to see new fruit trees and buy some saplings for myself."

Another buyer, Nafisa Tasnim, told Jago News: "I love plants, so I try to come to the tree fair every year, and I came this time too. I saw many kinds of plants here and I'm really enjoying it."

Forest Department sociologist Mohammad Aminul Islam told Jago News: "The National Tree Fair will run until 7 August. There is no entry fee. Large numbers of visitors are coming every day. Saplings of all kinds are available here: forest, fruit, medicinal and ornamental. In Dhaka city in particular, demand is high for indoor plants and fruit trees for rooftop gardens."

He said: "Last year 17,66,491 saplings were sold at the National Tree Fair, worth Tk 15,59,42,274. The year before, saplings worth about Tk 16.28 crore were sold. Sales are satisfactory this year as well. Up to 23 July, 8,12,802 saplings were sold, worth Tk 6,73,29,236."

Aminul Islam added: "Even though space for planting trees in Dhaka is shrinking, people's interest has not declined. Many are buying plants for rooftop gardens, and many are taking them to their village homes to plant. The daily sales figures are proof of this interest."

On security and visitor facilities, he said police and the fair's own security staff are on duty. There are also a mother and child corner, a breastfeeding corner, medical services, a media corner and a separate rest room for senior citizens.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.