Above the busy streets of Khulna, a two-storey house on Ahsan Ahmed Road hides an unusual secret – a rooftop forest where bonsai trees, rare plants, flowers and fruit trees have transformed a concrete space into a living green sanctuary.
For Professor Amirul Khusru, a cardiologist, and his wife Professor Afroza Khanam, a medicine specialist, the rooftop is not just a garden. It is the result of a 26-year journey built on patience, creativity and a deep connection with nature.
“Caring for plants is a healthy habit that keeps people physically and mentally well,” Dr Khusru told TIMES of Bangladesh.
With their children living in Dhaka, the couple spend much of their free time nurturing the rooftop garden that has become a source of personal satisfaction and inspiration for others in the city.
What began as a hobby in 2000 has now grown into a collection of around 1,200 plants — so extensive that Dr Khusru stopped counting after the number crossed one thousand.
The rooftop is home to bonsai, ornamental plants, flowers, fruit trees and rare species not commonly found in Bangladesh. Among the collection are weeping tamarind, jacaranda, ficus, adenium, baobab, cactus, bougainvillea and different varieties of mango, lemon, orange, guava and pomegranate.
But for the couple, these plants are not simply a collection.
“To me, these plants are like my children,” Dr Khusru said. “I care for them because they bring me satisfaction.”
When Dr Khusru started his rooftop gardening journey, resources on bonsai and rooftop gardening were limited.
“Back then, there were hardly any books or resources available on the subject. We learned through mistakes and experience,” he said.
Most of the bonsai trees in the collection were created by him over the past two decades. Some plants were collected from Dhaka, Jashore and Sylhet, while others were brought from India.
Despite the time and effort invested, the couple does not sell their plants.
Their bonsai collections have instead been displayed at exhibitions and tree fairs, allowing others to learn and become inspired.
Tanvir Ahammed Sajol from Labanchora told TIMES, “Khusru bhai has built this rooftop garden over many years, one plant at a time. It is a living museum and a paradise for garden lovers. His bonsai collection inspired me to start my own garden.”
Dr Khusru’s passion has extended beyond his own rooftop.
He is the founding convener of ‘Shobuje Hashi, Shobuje Bachi’ (Smile in Green, Live in Green), an organisation of rooftop gardening enthusiasts in Khulna that works to encourage students and younger generations to develop a connection with nature.
Across the city, rooftop gardens are now appearing on houses and residential buildings, giving families small green spaces amid Khulna’s expanding urban landscape.
For many residents, these gardens offer more than beauty. Some growers are also producing vegetables such as tomatoes, brinjals and green chillies, along with fruits including mangoes, dragon fruit and malta.
Abu Masud, owner of Dalia Nursery and general secretary of the Khulna Nursery Owners’ Association, said rooftop gardening has grown significantly in the city.
“Although there is no official data on the number of rooftop gardeners, the trend is stronger than ever before. Its future is very promising,” he said.
The garden has also become a shelter for birds. Sunbirds, tailorbirds, bulbuls and other native species are regularly seen among the plants.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the rooftop garden became especially important for the couple.
Dr Khusru said caring for plants helped him cope with isolation and uncertainty during lockdowns. He used the time to expand the garden, collect new species and create more bonsai.
The couple’s connection with nature extends throughout their home. Plants fill their balcony and staircase, while the house itself has been named ‘Shekor’ (Roots) — reflecting their bond with nature.
They also maintain a larger garden house in Batiaghata, Khulna, where they grow fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants and other species.
Maintaining such a large garden requires regular care. A full-time worker and two part-time assistants help the couple look after the plants.
They have also created artistic bonsai containers using clay, ceramic, plastic wood and eco-wood materials, with each pot reflecting their creativity.
Beyond gardening, Dr Khusru is an accomplished bird photographer. He serves as president of the Khulna Photography Society and has authored ‘Kolorob’, a book featuring wildlife photography.
For Dr Khusru and Afroza Khanam, the rooftop forest represents more than a love for plants. It is a reminder that even in a crowded city, patience and passion can create a space where nature continues to grow.
