2 hrs ago
Karnataka Withdraws Park Land Bill After Public Protests
Karnataka had proposed a law that could let the government use up to five per cent of park land for public projects.
Citizens, civil society groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party protested against the proposal.
They worried that green spaces could be taken away for construction.
The Cabinet has now withdrawn the Bill for the time being.
The government says it will publish the proposal and ask people for their suggestions.
It may bring the Bill back in the next Assembly session with changes.
The proposal was linked to concerns about a tunnel road that could use some Lalbagh land.
Government leaders and critics disagree about whether the Bill was needed and how it might be used.
The Karnataka Cabinet withdrew a Bill allowing up to five per cent of government park land for public purposes.
The decision followed protests by citizens, civil society groups and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.
The government will publish the proposed legislation, seek suggestions and consider reintroducing it with amendments in the next Assembly session.
Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said provisions covering the sale, lease and gifting of park land would be reconsidered and clarified.
The proposal drew particular concern because a tunnel road project reportedly requires land from Bengaluru’s Lalbagh Botanical Garden.
- Who
- The Karnataka Cabinet, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, citizens and civil society groups.
- What
- The Cabinet withdrew a Bill that would have allowed up to five per cent of government park and garden land to be used for public purposes and infrastructure.
- Where
- Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru, where protests focused on the possible diversion of park land.
- When
- The decision was announced on Thursday; the report was published on September 3, 2026. The government may reconsider the Bill in the next Assembly session.
- Why
- The withdrawal followed opposition and public protests, while the government said it would seek public opinion and revise unclear or contentious provisions.
Critics of Park Land Diversion
Karnataka Government
Use of green spaces
Critics of Park Land Diversion
Citizens, civil society groups and the Bharatiya Janata Party opposed allowing park land to be diverted, warning that the measure could facilitate the loss of green spaces and describing concerns about Lalbagh being used for infrastructure.
Karnataka Government
The government proposed allowing limited use of park land for public utility and infrastructure projects, subject to a five per cent ceiling and safeguards.
Tunnel road project
Critics of Park Land Diversion
Critics, including Tejasvi Surya, opposed the proposed tunnel road and called it unscientific and unnecessary. BJP leaders alleged the parks Bill would facilitate the project.
Karnataka Government
The government said the Bill did not mean taking five per cent of Lalbagh itself or a fixed five-acre portion for the tunnel road. It said the provisions would be reconsidered and clarified.
Withdrawal and reintroduction
Critics of Park Land Diversion
The BJP described the withdrawal as another victory for its agitation and said it would not allow parks to be used for other purposes.
Karnataka Government
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the withdrawal reflected respect for public sentiment, while Parameshwara said the government would seek public suggestions before possibly bringing back an amended Bill.
Key facts
- Cabinet decision
- The Karnataka Cabinet withdrew the proposed parks amendment Bill.
- Proposed land diversion
- The Bill would have permitted alienation of up to five per cent of park land for public utility and infrastructure projects.
- Possible land transfers
- The proposal included forms of alienation such as sale and lease; the government said provisions on sale, lease and gift would be reconsidered.
- Public consultation
- The government plans to put the legislation in the public domain and seek suggestions.
- Next step
- The Bill may be reintroduced with amendments during the next Assembly session.
- Tunnel road concern
- Sources said the proposed 17-kilometre tunnel road connecting Hebbal and Central Silk Board would require about six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily and one acre permanently.
- Bengaluru parks
- The reports cite differing figures for Bengaluru’s parks: around 1,353 in one account and 1,523 according to BJP Opposition Leader R Ashoka.
Quotes
G Parameshwara
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister who announced the Cabinet decision
“I sincerely commend the chief minister for this decision. Governments earn the respect of citizens when they defer to the will of the people. Well done, sir. For me, this has never been a political fight. It has always been about doing what is right for Bengaluru.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“Our government has always respected the sentiments of the people of Karnataka. The Cabinet’s decision to withdraw the Karnataka Parks Conservation Amendment Bill is also a reflection of this commitment to the people.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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