Lalbagh under threat? Why Bengaluru citizens are protesting

Bengaluru: Residents, walkers, citizen groups and resident welfare associations took to Bengaluru's Lalbagh botanical garden on Sunday to protest against a recent amendment that allows portions of park and garden land in Karnataka to be used for public infrastructure and utility projects.

The protest, titled "Walk in Lalbagh. Walk for Lalbagh," brought together citizens from across the city, along with Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, BJP MPs Tejasvi Surya, C N Manjunath and P C Mohan, legislators, members of pro-Kannada organisations and Yellappa Reddy, Chief Advisor to the Lalbagh and Cubbon Park Expert Committee.

The demonstration centred on the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was passed by both houses of the state legislature last week. The amendment changes provisions of the 1975 law governing major green spaces, including Lalbagh and Cubbon Park.

What is the Parks Bill?

The amendment allows the state government to alienate park land through sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage or other means, subject to an overall ceiling of five per cent of the total park area.

However, the provision applies only in favour of government departments, statutory authorities, government companies or local authorities for public utility projects.

The Bill also provides for an evaluation mechanism headed by the Additional Chief Secretary, along with designated officials and domain experts. Any proposed use of park land would have to undergo evaluation before being recommended to the state government.

The legislation further states that the five per cent limit includes land that may have already been alienated, with the stated objective of protecting the remaining natural ecosystem.

Why are citizens opposing it?

Opposition parties and citizen groups fear that the amendment could make Bengaluru's remaining green spaces vulnerable to infrastructure projects.

The issue has gained particular attention because of the proposed 17-km Hebbal-Central Silk Board tunnel road, which, according to sources, would require around six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily and one acre permanently.

Citizens have also pointed to Lalbagh's ecological and geological significance. The garden houses the approximately three-billion-year-old Peninsular Gneiss, an ancient rock formation that protesters say should be protected rather than exposed to construction activity.

During Sunday's protest, citizens including Surya, Karandlaje and Mohan lay down and hugged the iconic rock as a symbolic demonstration against the proposed tunnel road.

What does the government say the amendment allows?

The Bill creates a legal framework for limited use of park and horticulture land for public utility and horticulture-related purposes.

It says the five per cent ceiling applies to alienation for public utility projects and does not cover standard developments by the Horticulture Department for its own administrative and allied requirements.

The legislation also provides a separate legal pathway for using minimal portions of Horticulture Farms for core horticulture projects.

"This includes post-processing facilities, cold storage units, production of improved varieties, and agro-based industries directly beneficial to the local farming community, backed by recorded reasons demonstrating public interest and absolute necessity," the Bill added.

What are protesters demanding?

Protesters are demanding that the government withdraw provisions allowing park land to be used for infrastructure projects. The BJP and JD(S) have opposed the Bill and petitioned the Governor not to give his assent.

Speaking to reporters, Surya warned that the protests would expand if the government did not withdraw the move.

"We will organise a public movement; this is just the beginning".

He also rejected the suggestion that Sunday's gathering was a political demonstration.

"People who have gathered here are not from any party, they are common citizens of Bengaluru. If protecting Lalbagh and our parks is a crime and if you think that this is something that warrants a notice, we will commit this crime every day. Our fight to protect our parks and environment will continue the same way," he said, amid reports that authorities have served notice against the march at Lalbagh.

Surya said similar protests were taking place in Mysuru and other parts of Karnataka and would be organised in parks and gardens across the state.

"The government that has the responsibility of protecting our environment is indulging in the act of acquiring parks for the sake of real estate.

Society cannot accept it. We want to tell the chief minister that the tunnel road project won't bring a good name to your government," he added.

The Bengaluru South MP also urged the government to reconsider the tunnel road and focus on public transport infrastructure, including metro and suburban rail projects.

Karandlaje criticised the D K Shivakumar-led administration and described it as a "real estate government."

"Bengaluru needs lung space, the city needs parks, and we need more compared to our population. We are not opposed to development, but use other land for the projects; don't eye parks and lake areas for it. We have requested the Governor to return the Bill; if the need be, we will also go to the President opposing the Bill," she added.

Why is the Bill significant?

The controversy reflects a larger debate in Bengaluru over balancing infrastructure development with the protection of the city's limited green spaces.

While the amendment sets a five per cent ceiling and establishes an evaluation process, opponents argue that even limited diversion of park land could have long-term ecological consequences.

The Bill was passed amid protests in both houses of the Karnataka legislature, with the Opposition also demanding the resignation of Minister B Nagendra. It now faces opposition from BJP and JD(S), which have asked the Governor not to assent to it.