1 week ago
Karandlaje Urges Governor to Withhold Assent to Karnataka Park Bill
A new Karnataka Bill would allow some park and garden land to be used for public projects.
It could also allow land to be sold, leased, exchanged, gifted or mortgaged in certain cases.
The amount could be up to five per cent of a park’s total area.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje asked the Karnataka Governor not to approve the Bill.
She says parks belong to the public and should be protected for people and future generations.
She worries that infrastructure projects could gradually reduce green spaces.
She also says the Bill was passed too quickly and without enough debate.
The Bill’s stated uses involve government and public infrastructure or utility projects.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje petitioned Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot against the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The Bill amends the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, allowing portions of parks and gardens to be used for public infrastructure and utility projects.
Karandlaje objected to a provision permitting up to five per cent of a park’s area to be alienated or used with approval from a state-appointed High-Level committee.
The proposed beneficiaries include state departments, statutory authorities, government companies and local authorities.
The Bill passed both houses without discussion amid opposition protests demanding Minister B Nagendra’s resignation.
- Who
- Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje asked Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to withhold assent to the Bill.
- What
- The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, would permit limited use or alienation of park and garden land for public infrastructure and utility projects.
- Where
- Karnataka, with the petition submitted to the Governor in Bengaluru.
- When
- The Bill was passed on Monday, and Karandlaje submitted her petition on Tuesday.
- Why
- Karandlaje says the amendment weakens legal protection for public green spaces and could enable their fragmentation, construction or eventual commercial exploitation.
Key facts
- Bill
- Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026
- Parent law
- Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975
- Maximum area
- Up to five per cent of a park’s total area
- Approval mechanism
- Recommendation by a High-Level committee constituted by the state government
- Potential beneficiaries
- State departments, statutory authorities, government companies and local authorities
- Requested action
- Shobha Karandlaje asked Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot not to grant assent
- Legislative process
- Passed in both houses without discussion, amid opposition protests
Quotes
Shobha Karandlaje
Union Minister and Bengaluru North Member of Parliament
“I write to Your Excellency to register my strongest objection to the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and to respectfully request Your Excellency not to accord assent to this regressive and draconian legislation, which fundamentally alters the protective character of the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975”
deccanchronicle.com
“The state government must recognise that it is the custodian and trustee of public parks and gardens and not their commercial proprietor. Public green spaces are held by the State for the benefit, health and enjoyment of the people and for succeeding generations.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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