Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, Sept 9, 2026 (BSS) - The sale of tree saplings alongside fish, meat, vegetables and other essentials in rural weekly markets of Chattogram is drawing increasing interest from local residents, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for tree plantation.

A weekly market has been set up beside the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway, where vendors sell fish, meat, vegetables, poultry and other household necessities. Recently, rows of tree and vegetable saplings have become a new feature of the market, effectively turning a section of it into a temporary nursery.

Also at Chunati Deputy Bazar in Lohagara upazila, different varieties of fruit-tree saplings and vegetable seedlings are now available alongside regular market items. Local residents visit the market on Fridays and Mondays to purchase the saplings.

Those involved in the initiative described the introduction of sapling sales in traditional rural markets as a positive development, saying it is making tree plantation more convenient for villagers.

Nazmul Mostafa Amin, a local resident and BNP-nominated candidate for the Chattogram-15 (Satkania-Lohagara) constituency in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, told BSS that tree saplings have recently become a new addition to the traditional weekly market.

He said people are increasingly responding to tree-planting initiatives aimed at protecting the country's environment and nature. Even people with limited space around their homes are showing interest in planting fruit trees and vegetables, he added.

Mohiuddin, a sapling vendor, told BSS that native fruit-tree saplings are the most popular among buyers.

"People prefer fruit trees that can provide produce for many years after being planted in their home gardens," he said, adding that he regularly brings saplings to the market.

He said local nursery owners are also showing interest to the weekly market as many rural residents prefer buying saplings while doing their regular shopping rather than making a separate trip to a nursery.

Abul Bashar, a customer, said buying saplings from the market saves time as people can purchase plants while completing their other household shopping.

Another customer said he had long wanted to plant fruit trees beside his home but could not find time to visit a nursery. "Finding saplings at the market has made the process much easier," he said.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah, agriculturist and Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (Chattogram Region), told BSS that selling tree and vegetable saplings at rural weekly markets is a new and beneficial development.

"As saplings become more easily available, tree plantation will increase," he said.

He said government campaigns encouraging tree plantation and greater public participation have created renewed interest in agriculture and tree planting.

The increasing availability of saplings at grassroots markets is expected to further encourage plantation and contribute to the government's target of planting 25 crore trees across the country over the next five years, he added.