Karnataka cabinet approves parks amendment bill, draws environmental concern

The Karnataka cabinet on Friday approved amendments to the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, which would permit the alienation of up to 5% of park and garden lands designated for public purposes. The proposed changes have immediately drawn criticism from environmental advocates and city-based BJP Members of Parliament, who contend the legislation could enable the takeover of Lalbagh, Bengaluru's historic green space, for infrastructure development. Concerns centre on plans to use the amended law to facilitate construction of a tunnel road through the centuries-old garden. Environmentalists have warned that permitting even limited alienation of protected park lands could set a precedent for further encroachment on green spaces across Karnataka's urban centres. The amendment represents a significant departure from the existing preservation framework, which has largely protected government parks from commercial or infrastructural development. Officials have not clarified the intended scope or timeline for implementation of the amendments, though the cabinet approval signals the government's intent to proceed with legislative changes that would redefine the legal protections governing public gardens.