Shamim Hossain Shishir's charming balcony and rooftop garden brings a touch of green to busy city life in Mohakhali. He has built this small garden not just as a hobby but as a reflection of the green countryside of his childhood in Naogaon.

"I love nature. I was born in a village in Naogaon district and grew up there surrounded by green nature. I don't know whether that is where my love of nature came from, but I have loved plants, animals and birds ever since I was small," Shishir said.

Among the medicinal plants in his garden, tulsi and patharkuchi stand out. "These plants are not only a symbol of freshness; they are also used as remedies for various illnesses. Patharkuchi leaves ease breathing difficulties and cold-related problems. Tulsi has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Planting trees matters not only for beauty but for health and well-being," he said.

Shishir's garden also has rangan and kamini plants, which have greatly added to its beauty. "The red flowers of rangan bring the garden to life. The lovely scent of kamini's white flowers spreads across the whole balcony," he said, expressing his love for his flowering plants.

His garden also has a Chinese banyan, a sturdy timber tree. "These trees don't just make the balcony beautiful; they bring the feel of a small woodland," he said proudly.

Among vegetables, sponge gourd, bitter gourd and chilli plants stand out. Shishir said he used to grow these at his homestead in the village. In Dhaka, and especially after moving into this house, he got the chance when the landlord raised no objection. "I don't think about plants in a specific way. Wherever I find a plant, I bring it home and put it in a pot. I don't worry about whether it is a flower or a fruit. As long as it is green, that's enough," he said.

But his garden is not limited to vegetables, flowers and timber trees. "I have kept different kinds of birds here at different times. Because I scatter food on the roof regularly, some birds such as weaver birds, crows and mynas come to the roof regularly," he said.

Some cats also visit the garden and are part of what he loves. "I don't really keep cats as pets, but because I feed them regularly, some cats come to my room and the roof regularly," Shishir said.

Shamim Hossain Shishir's balcony garden is not just part of a hobby but a reflection of an intimate bond between life and nature. "What happens with me is that even when a weed starts to grow big, it hurts to cut it and I don't. I think, it's a plant, why should I cut it?" he said, revealing his love for plants and how he thinks about them.

All in all, Shishir's balcony garden is an inseparable part of natural beauty and freshness amid the bustle of urban life. It is a symbol of his heart's feelings, his love for nature and his deep respect for the natural beauty of life.

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