Department of Forest (DoF) and Department of Environment (DoE) organised the fairs at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, marking the World Environment Day.
The DoE arranged the environment fair with 62 stalls where different organisations and institutions are showcasing their innovative and environment-friendly products and projects.
Different government organisations, including Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC), Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), many private organisations and universities also took part in the fairs.
Most of the products and projects were about plastic recycling and reusing, urban gardening and water resource management.
Patrick B Gomez, a visitor of the fair, told UNB that such initiatives are very significant to create awareness among people, especially the grassroots people for sustainable development. “If awareness is built from the grassroots level, the initiatives will be more effective,” he added.
The National Tree Fair has been organised by the Department of Forest where 75 organisations are showcasing their plants and products in 101 stalls.
Among the plants, trees of orchids, Bansai, avocado, dragon fruits, apricot and trees of different spices and herbs as well as flowers drew more attraction of the visitors.
Md Selim, a staff from Barisal Nursery, said each year the fair gets a great response from visitors.
On the weekends, the crowd will be heavier, he hoped.
Shafiqul Islam, a visitor and also a nursery owner from Bhaluka, stressed the need for increasing the duration of the fair.
“If the fair is arranged for two months, especially in June and July, it will be easier for the visitors to buy plants from here and cultivate those in the rainy season,” he told UNB.
The fair also created much interest among school children.
Tahin Mahmud, a student of class IV, came to visit the fair along with his brother and mother. “It’s a good opportunity to see so many trees and plants in one place. Such fair helps up gain more knowledge about plants,” he said.
Visitors were also found buying small plants which they can use to decorate their urban life.
The theme of this year campaign is: ‘Live in Green, Protect the Green and Decorate the City-life-Environment’.
The week-long Environment Fair will continue until July 24 while the Tree Fair is a month-long one.
The fairs are open from 9am till 9pm.