Sylhet city vibrant with red-yellow Radhachura flowers
In 2014, the Sylhet City Corporation was criticised for cutting down hundreds of trees to widen the road, but now they are being praised because their initiative has blossomed!
The road dividers are adorned with red-yellow Radhachura flowers. Some people take selfies with them in the background, while others enjoy the beauty with their whole family.
This pretty sight can be seen along the Rikabazar-Mirer Maidan road in Sylhet city.
The buds started to grow in the monsoon. Now in autumn, the flowers are in full bloom and are noticeable even by road users who are in a hurry.
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In 2014, the Sylhet City Corporation was criticised for cutting down hundreds of trees to widen the road, but now they are being praised because their initiative has blossomed!
Sources at the Sylhet City Corporation say that when the road widening plan was made, the road divider was designed to look like a tree.
In addition to the unique design, they also decided to use a different approach.
At the beginning of this year, the city corporation gave Radhachura saplings to students of Anandyaniketon School for planting on the Rikabazar-Mirer Maidan road divider.
Then on August 9, the enthusiastic students planted hundreds of Radhachura saplings on the Sagor Dighir Par-Subidbazar road divider as well.
Many applauded this initiative, including the international company Chevron, which presented 2500 Radhachura and Krishnachura plants to the city corporation.
Sylhet City Corporation also intends to plant flower trees on other road dividers, on Manikpir Tila, on the banks of the Surma River, and at other important places in the city.
They are already bringing down billboards from the road dividers to plant the trees.
Additionally, a committee has been formed with environmentalists and activists to select which flowers will be the best option to beautify the city.
Ashraful Kabir, a member of this committee and a coordinator of the environmental organisation "Bhumishontan Bangladesh" (child of the earth Bangladesh) appreciated the initiative of planting trees in the city to enhance its beauty.
He said, "We must make sure that we don't cut down any mature trees to plant flower seeds. In addition to planning new ones, we should stop the unnecessary cutting-down of trees."
Abul Kashem, a teacher at the Government Madan Mohan College said, "These flowers have greatly enhanced the beauty of the city. The authorities need to look at enhancing the beauty without destroying trees and nature in the name of development."
A cultural activist in Sylhet, Abu Bakr Al Amin said, "The colourful Radhachura flowers refresh the minds of passers-by during the day. These plants should be taken care of regularly."
Regarding the initiative, Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury said, "City residents greatly appreciate the trees and flowers along Rikabazar-Mirer Maidan road.
Planting flower trees is only one part of the many initiatives we have taken to enhance the beauty of the city."
The mayor continued, "We will plant more Krishnachaura and Radhachaura trees not just on road dividers, but also at important places of the city and along the Surma river. The plants given by Chevron will be planted this month."
