Bengaluru groups oppose plan to allow use of up to 5% of park land

Bengaluru parks could have up to 5% of their area considered for specified public purposes under a proposed amendment to the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975.

The state cabinet has approved a bill to make that change. The proposed ceiling would apply to a park or garden’s total area, and government departments, statutory authorities, state-owned companies and local authorities could consider such land for specified public purposes.

A coalition of environmental groups, urban planners and citizens has written to DK Shivakumar seeking withdrawal of the proposal. The coalition said parks support cooling, rainwater management, biodiversity, recreation and public health and should not be treated as vacant land.

The groups cited studies that found Bengaluru’s green spaces are, on average, 2.2°C cooler than surrounding areas, and that nearly 28% of the city’s wards have no park or only one. They also raised concerns about the precedent for larger spaces, including Lalbagh, where infrastructure linked to the proposed Hebbal-Silk Board tunnel road has drawn criticism.

The coalition has called for alternatives to existing park land, public consultation, and environmental, social, health and wellbeing assessments before projects affect green spaces. It is discussing protests and awareness campaigns if the amendment advances.