How sincere the people of Bangladesh are towards flowers and natural beauty is no longer a matter of guesswork. In today's social media era, its clear reflection can be seen clearly. When spring comes, the Shimul Forestat Taherpuror selfies taken under the Krishnachura behind the Parliament Building go viral on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. This May too, many people are seen taking pictures standing next to the Jarul flower on the streets of Dhaka and Chittagong and sharing them online.
This digital expression proves that the interest of the people of Bangladesh in flower-based travel is deep and spontaneous. They not only enjoy beauty, but also capture it on camera, share it with others and retain their experiences as memories. If this interest can be shaped into a specific tourism structure, it can become a strong, environmentally friendly and inclusive economic sector.
The seasonal flower collection in our country is so diverse that a unique flower-based tourism trend can be developed around each season. In spring, the entire region can be colored in the open or deforested places of the forests of Madhupur, Dinajpur or Netrokona by blooming Palash, Kanchan and Shimul flowers. In the scorching heat of summer, the red of Krishnachura, the yellow of Sonalur and the purple of Jarul can color the city and village. In the monsoon, the white and pink flowers Hijal trees flower can bloom in the waterlogged areas and lowlands can create a charming watercolor scene.
The hilly areas, char areas, haors and rural roads of Bangladesh have an immense wealth of indigenous flowers. An orchid festival can be organized on the hilly roads of Rangamati at the end of winter, and in spring the forests of Khagrachari can be decorated in the colors of Kanchan, which can be like our own 'Cherry Blossom Festival'. In this way, by highlighting the beauty of different flowers in each season, Bangladesh can be transformed into a 'flower calendar' which will expand the potential stage of tourism. As tourism continues throughout the year, people's connection with flowers will deepen, environmental awareness will increase, and the local economy will also be activated. Floral tourism is now a well-established trend worldwide. The tulip gardens of the Netherlands or the Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan, all attract millions of tourists at certain times. The Hanami festival in Japan is not limited to just viewing flowers; it also includes local product markets, cultural programs, train travel packages, and photo tours. A well-organized tourism economy has developed around flowers. Bangladesh's natural diversity and seasonal floral resources are also suitable for such a framework, it just needs planning, promotion, and investment.
This sector can also become a great opportunity for women's economic empowerment. Women can actively engage in tourism through seasonal home stays, flower handicrafts, local food, and cultural activities. This can lead to the development of a community-based tourism model that is conducive to inclusive and sustainable development.
From an environmental perspective, flowering plants are also of immense importance. Shimul and Palash help prevent soil erosion, Jarul and Kanchan provide shade, regulate temperature, and absorb carbon. Their flowers support pollinating bees and insects, which are very important for agriculture. Therefore, biodiversity conservation, food security, and climate adaptation can be ensured all at once through planting, conservation, and propagation of flowering plants.
Long-term master plans and policy priorities are needed to realize these potentials. The Tourism Board, the Department of Environment, the Bangladesh Forest Department and the local government can jointly adopt a national flower tourism development plan. This can include seasonal trails, local produce markets, information centers, environmental education programs and incubation platforms for young entrepreneurs. If the government wants, it can declare upazila or regional 'flower tourism zones' and launch them on a trial basis.
Finally, the flowers of Bangladesh are not just a gift of nature, they are part of human passion, culture and potential. Now is the time to protect this heritage and build a future with it. With proper planning, collective efforts and expansionary thinking, Bangladesh too can one day consolidate its position on the world floral tourism map, where beauty, environment and human stories are intertwined.
The writer is a GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
