1 week ago
Karnataka Park Land Bill Draws Backlash Over Lalbagh Impact
Karnataka wants to change a law protecting public parks.
The change could allow up to 5% of park land to be used for public infrastructure.
One project that may affect Lalbagh is a proposed tunnel road in Bengaluru.
The government wants one acre permanently and six acres temporarily for construction.
Tejasvi Surya says parks should not be treated like land for real estate projects.
Former forest official A N Yellappa Reddy also criticized the proposal.
He asked who decided that 5% would be safe for nature.
He said parks contain important trees, soil, water systems, and biodiversity.
The critics want stronger safeguards, environmental studies, and public consultation.
The Karnataka Cabinet approved a Bill allowing up to 5% of public park land to be diverted for public infrastructure.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya accused the move of enabling real estate and commercial development.
Lalbagh Botanical Garden could be affected by the proposed Hebbal–Central Silk Board tunnel road.
The project seeks permanent acquisition of one acre and temporary use of six acres in Lalbagh.
Former forest official A N Yellappa Reddy questioned the scientific basis of the 5% threshold.
- Who
- The Karnataka Cabinet approved the Bill; Tejasvi Surya and former forest official A N Yellappa Reddy opposed it.
- What
- A Bill would amend the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, allowing up to 5% of public park land to be diverted for public infrastructure.
- Where
- Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru's Lalbagh Botanical Garden.
- When
- The Cabinet approved the Bill days before the reported Sunday criticisms.
- Why
- The stated purpose is to permit public infrastructure, while critics say the amendment could facilitate commercial or real estate projects.
Bill's stated infrastructure rationale
Critics' environmental and legal concerns
Use of park land
Bill's stated infrastructure rationale
The amendment would allow limited diversion of public park land for public infrastructure.
Critics' environmental and legal concerns
Tejasvi Surya and A N Yellappa Reddy argue that protected parks should not be opened to development or treated as real estate assets.
Five-percent threshold
Bill's stated infrastructure rationale
The Bill sets a proposed upper limit of 5% for diversion.
Critics' environmental and legal concerns
Reddy questioned who established the figure and whether independent scientific research shows that disturbing 5% would preserve a park's ecological character.
Tunnel road and Lalbagh
Bill's stated infrastructure rationale
The proposed tunnel road requires one acre permanently and six acres temporarily from Lalbagh.
Critics' environmental and legal concerns
Surya alleged that the amendment was designed to facilitate the tunnel road while circumventing proceedings before the Karnataka High Court.
Key facts
- Proposed diversion limit
- Up to 5% of public park land
- Law being amended
- Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975
- Potentially affected site
- Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Bengaluru
- Tunnel road
- Proposed connection between Hebbal and the Central Silk Board
- Permanent land requirement
- One acre in Lalbagh
- Temporary construction use
- Six acres in Lalbagh
- Requested safeguards
- Environmental impact assessments, strict protections, and public consultation
Quotes
A N Yellappa Reddy
Retired Indian Forest Service officer and former secretary of Karnataka’s Department of Forests, Ecology, and Environment
“Five per cent itself requires an explanation. Who arrived at this figure? Was it recommended by horticulturists, ecologists, planners, or any independent expert body? Is there a scientific study showing that 5 per cent of an established park can be disturbed without affecting its ecological character?”
indianexpress.com
“Lalbagh and Cubbon Park are not commodities. This is not a supermarket where public assets can be offered at a 5 per cent discount today and a larger discount tomorrow. Nature cannot be negotiated in percentages.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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