26/06/2020
IU BOTANICAL GARDEN BLENDS BEAUTY AND EDUCATION
To establish a botanical garden on the IU campus was a plan in my overall scheme of things as the vice chancellor, and I ventured into it last monsoon on 3 August, 2019. The piece of land we found available was nothing but ditches and patches overgrown with weeds in a corner of the campus. So, the herbs and shrubs we had planted were washed away by the torrents of rain which, however, couldn’t dash my desire for the garden. This time the ditches have been filled up and we have launched the gardening with renewed enthusiasm. We are planting a great variety of herbs, shrubs and trees which include, among others, Neem, Nishinda, Amlaki, Horitoki, Bohera, Basok, Chhatim, Kalomegh, Ashko; Sharifa, Zaitun, Malta, Applekul, Dragon fruits, Cherry, Bedana, Nashpati, Black grapes, Custard apple, Peach, Lotkon, Paniala; Golmorich, Daruchini, Elachi, Labongo, Tejpata; and Krishnachura, Radhachura, Kanakchapa and Kamini.
We know the importance of creating an arboretum at a university which has a number of disciplines related to organic gardening. We would like to develop our botanical garden into not only an object of fascination but also a tool for teaching and a living laboratory which will contribute to our country’s botanical education, horticultural research and environmental preservation. Apart from showcasing a rich diversity of plants, the garden will grow as a conservation place for the rare and vanishing species of herbs, shrubs and trees indigenous to rural Bangladesh.
The lakeside garden must have an eye appeal that people would like. My sincerest thanks are due to the Pro-Vice Chancellor, the Treasure and the Beautification Team for their continued support for the establishment of the botanical garden.
Dr. Md. Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari
Vice Chancellor
Islamic University, Bangladesh