Archive · 25 Aug 2026
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.
- When
- The Bill was passed on Monday, and Karandlaje submitted her petition on Tuesday.
- Where
- Karnataka, with the petition submitted to the Governor in Bengaluru.
- Why
- Karandlaje says the amendment weakens legal protection for public green spaces and could enable their fragmentation, construction or eventual commercial exploitation.
- 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