রাজধানী ঢাকার উদ্যান | Parks of Capital Dhaka | Episode 324 | Nature and Life
Dhaka is an old city of Bangladesh.
Once, Dhaka was a green city surrounded by flowing rivers.
Numerous plants used to surround the city.
Chirping birds, colorful flowers, wetlands and pure air were abundant.
With time, the population grew.
Urges of life and livelihood started development activities.
Accordingly, developed high-rise buildings, highways and industries.
Making the city surroundings grow pale.
So, to retain clean city environment, quite a few parks were established at different times.
Prominent among those are Ramna Park, Baldah Garden, National Botanical Garden, Chandrima Uddan, Bahadur Shah Park and Suhrawardy Uddan.
In 1908, Robert Louis Proudlock, of London’s Kew Botanic Gardens, started the natural planning of Dhaka, including Ramna.
Under his supervision, a Ramna centered design of greenery was established.
Having variety of plant species, flowers are seen here throughout the year.
An attractive one-day flower blossoms in the Burmese rosewood tree, a spring day it may blossom with the golden flowers, but the next day there’s none.
Some fruits and herbs are also seen here.
The Baobab tree of desert land has also found refuge at Ramna.
At the heart of the park, a single Mahuwa stands as the witness of time.
The famous Ramna Botomul is in southwest of the park.
Also, there are Sacred tree flower, Jacaranda, Gliricidia, Golden Champak, Royal Poinciana, Hiptage, Scarlet Flame bean, Cannonball, Camel’s foot, Mountain ebony, Wild Magnolia to fascinate us.
Butterflies and bees are seen in these trees.
Various wildlife species also roam the park.
So, Ramna Park is called the center of natural beauty of Dhaka.
Zamindar Narendra Narayan Roy established the Baldah Garden at Wari, Dhaka, in 1909.
It is rare to find such huge amalgamation of native and foreign plants in such small place.
Baldah Garden is divided into two parts: Psyche and Sibley.
However, psyche part is more enriched.
It holds trees like Southern magnolia, Tabebuia, Golden trumpet, Indian almond, Gustavia, Golden-Ashok, Raj-Ashok, Pine and Palm.
And, Sibley has the oldest Sun clock.
The garden’s pond has Amazon Lily, Blood Lotus, Egyptian Lotus and Water lily.
In addition, Hiptage, Purple Wreath, Malati, Orange Jasmine are found throughout the garden.
These plants, flowers and chirping birds fascinate the city dwellers.
The national botanical garden was established on 84 Hectares of land at Mirpur, Dhaka, in 1961.
Amidst its various land formation, some water bodies of various size can be found.
Here, various rare, ornamental, terrestrial and aquatic plants have created a forest-like environment.
Garjan, Banyan, Green Champa, Burflower tree, Queen’s Crape Myrtle, Java Plum, Albizia are the notable trees of this garden.
Among fruit bearing trees are Wood apple, Star fruit, Cowa Mangosteen and Guava.
Besides, rose garden has been set up on a large part of the garden.
Various enchanting rose species are seen here.
About 20 bamboo species are also seen in the garden.
On south side stands a Lotus pond.
It holds Pink Lotus, Blue Lotus, Elmanda, Monochoria etc.
Herbal plants include Indian snakeroot, Malabar nut, Myrobalan, Arjuna.
Here, in a cactus greenhouse, hybrid cactus and seedlings are produced with grafting, controlled temperature and proper care.
There is an orchid archive for orchid conservation.
These gardens are like lungs to capital Dhaka.
So, innumerable people visit the gardens to enjoy peace and a pure environment.
But now, the environment of the gardens is quite uncomfortable.
Some parks are in bad condition due to garbage dumping, snatching, hawkers and the unhygienic environment.
Therefore, by eliminating these problems and conserving biodiversity, apt measures must be taken to ensure a healthy environment and safety of the citizens.
Only then, the lungs of Capital Dhaka will remain healthy.
The overall environment and people of the Capital Dhaka will remain healthy.