Bengaluru residents protest Karnataka law allowing parkland use for infrastructure

The Karnataka legislature has passed the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, allowing the state to alienate up to 5% of protected parkland for public infrastructure and utility projects. This amendment modifies the 1975 law, enabling the government to lease, sell, gift, exchange, or mortgage portions of parks to government departments and statutory bodies.

In Bengaluru, the move has sparked significant opposition from ecologists, resident groups, and civil society organizations. Protesters recently gathered at Lalbagh to form a human chain, demanding the bill's withdrawal. Critics argue the amendment threatens the city’s remaining green spaces, such as Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, which are vital for air quality and environmental health.

A primary point of contention is the proposed Hebbal-Central Silk Board tunnel road project, which may require land within Lalbagh. Ecologists have expressed concerns regarding the impact of tunneling on the Lalbagh rock, a National Geological Monument, and the potential loss of tree cover. While the government maintains that the 5% limit is an absolute ceiling and that the road will bypass the geological formation, opponents fear the law opens the door for misuse and the permanent loss of urban commons.