Roof Garden Yields Over One Lakh Annually

In the serene village of Kaderia Para, under the Taithong Union of Pekua Upazila in Cox’s Bazar, an extraordinary plant sanctuary has sprung up atop a modest home. Flanked on one side by rice paddies and on the other by humble dwellings, the narrow brick-paved lane leads visitors to the rooftop garden of Forman Hasnat. Here, beneath the sun and overlooking a nearby pond, a vibrant collection of lotuses, cacti, and other rare plants thrives under his care.

Forman, a student of Computer Science and Telecommunication Engineering at Noakhali Science and Technology University, currently teaches at a coaching centre in Pekua Chowmuhani. Balancing his teaching responsibilities, he meticulously tends to his rooftop garden, which generates an annual income of approximately four lakh taka.

“I personally propagate cacti, construct shade covers, and maintain every aspect of the garden. Fertiliser alone doesn’t accelerate growth; careful attention is essential. I have learned everything from Google and YouTube. Today, my collection includes plants from at least 50 countries,” Forman explains. His garden boasts a total of 460 species, of which nearly 150 are cacti. He has christened the space the ‘Pekua Cactus Garden’.

A selection of his plants, along with market values, is outlined below:

Forman’s fascination with plants began in childhood, but it was during the COVID-19 pandemic that he developed a passion for cacti. Despite initial setbacks, including being misled by unscrupulous sellers, he persisted. Gradually, he expanded his collection through nurseries across Noakhali and online sources, acquiring orchids, ferns, stapelia, Haworthia, air plants, and Sansevieria, among others.

What began as a hobby has now evolved into a profitable venture. Between October 2024 and 25 January 2025, Forman successfully dispatched 609 plants via courier across Bangladesh. While his average monthly income ranges from 30,000 to 35,000 taka, with strategic expansion, earnings could rise to 50,000 taka per month.

His family has been supportive of his efforts. His father, Zaker Hossain, remarks, “Forman has been passionate about plants since childhood. People now visit to admire his collection, and they are impressed.” Quoting Asim Kumar Das, the additional in-charge of the Pekua Upazila Agricultural Office, “Not everyone can undertake such an initiative. The Agriculture Department plans to encourage him further.”

Forman also motivates local youth and students by gifting plants and fostering awareness. Today, the rooftop garden stands not just as a personal pursuit but as a unique model for rare plant collection and small-scale entrepreneurship.