The National
Botanical Garden of Bangladesh, also referred to as Bangladesh National
Herbarium, is the largest plant conservation center in Bangladesh, with an
area of around 84 hectares (210 acres). It is located at Mirpur in Dhaka,
beside the Dhaka Zoo. It was establishes in 1961. It is one of the greatest botanical
gardens of Bangladesh and a tourist destination. Baldha Garden in the Wari area
of Dhaka is administratively part of the National Garden.
Collections
Bangladesh National Herbarium's
collection of plant and tree species is large. The garden houses about 56,000
individual of trees, herbs, and shrubs including huge collection of aquatic
plants. Rare and exotic plant species in the garden include:
- Anthurium (Anthurium crystallinum)
- Camphor (Cinamomum camphora)
- Rabbit fern (Davallia canariensis)
- Dambia (Dombeya spectabilis)
- White rangan (Ixora superba)
- Little mussanda (Mussaenda luteola)
- Victoria amazonica
- Harhjora (Vitis quadrangularis)
- African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata)
- Sambucuas (Sambucus nigra)
- White Chandan (Santalum album).
Other facilities
A modern vegetative propagation arrangement and a
tissue culture laboratory have been established in the garden for propagation
of rare species. Initially, tissue culture of orchids and other rare species
have been adopted. Besides, a huge rose garden, criss-crossing lake, watch
deck, artificial water fall, bridge over the lake and above all the thousands of
migratory birds in winter are the main attractions of the National Botanical
Garden.
Maintenance
The garden is
well planned and provides learning and recreational facilities adjacent to the Dhaka
Zoo. It is divided into 57 sections, and is managed by Forest Department under
Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of Bangladesh.
