Karnataka Cabinet okays parks law amendment bill, BJP cries ‘war on green spaces’

Bengaluru, Aug 22 (PTI) The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a Bill to amend the Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, allowing portions of park and garden land to be used for public infrastructure and utility projects, a move opposed by the BJP on environmental grounds.

Sources said the Cabinet, which met on Friday, approved the proposed amendments to the Act, which governs prominent Bengaluru green spaces, including Cubbon Park and Lalbagh.

Under the amendment, up to five per cent of the total extent of any park or garden can be alienated for specified public purposes through sale, lease, gift, exchange or mortgage.

Only government departments, statutory authorities, state-owned companies and local authorities would be permitted to use the alienated portions for public infrastructure or utility projects, according to the proposed legislation.

The amendment is significant in the context of the proposed 17-km tunnel road project connecting Hebbal and Central Silk Board. The project requires around six acres of Lalbagh land temporarily and one acre permanently, according to sources.

Bangalore South BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticised the Cabinet decision, alleging that it was intended to facilitate the use of Lalbagh land for the tunnel road project.

"The Congress Government in Karnataka has officially launched a war against our parks and green spaces," Surya said in a post on X.

He described the Cabinet decision as "foolish" and alleged that it would facilitate real estate development in parks across the state.

Surya also said the tunnel road project had been challenged in court on the ground that it violated the Government Parks (Preservation) Act.

"Now, to circumvent the court proceedings, the state government has come up with this Bill," he alleged.

He said he would write to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and legislators opposing the amendment.

According to the Bill, a high-level committee headed by an officer of additional chief secretary rank and comprising domain experts would be constituted to recommend the utilisation of park or garden land.

The committee would ensure that any proposed utilisation of the land is "thoroughly evaluated" before making a recommendation to the state government, the Bill states.

The proposed legislation provides that the five per cent ceiling would include any land previously alienated, with the stated objective of safeguarding the remaining natural ecosystem.

BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said his party would oppose the Bill.

"BJP will make every possible effort to prevent the proposed Bill, which is detrimental to the environment and citizens' welfare," he said.

The proposed legislation is expected to be taken up during the ongoing session of the state legislature for consideration and passage. PTI