Hundreds of citizens, walkers, resident groups, environmentalists and political leaders gathered at Bengaluru’s Lalbagh Botanical Garden on Sunday, August 30, for the “Walk in Lalbagh, Walk for Lalbagh” campaign, opposing Karnataka’s recently passed amendment allowing up to 5% of government parkland to be used for specified public infrastructure and utility projects.
The mobilisation comes amid concerns that the provision could facilitate the proposed 17-km Hebbal-Central Silk Board tunnel road, which is expected to require Lalbagh land for ramps, shafts and allied works.
While campaigners, including former IFS officer A N Yellappa Reddy and BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, have urged the government to protect every inch of the park, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has maintained that the amendment is intended for essential public works and will not allow private players to use parkland.
The Bill was passed by both Houses on August 24 amid Opposition protests, and BJP leaders have petitioned Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to withhold assent.
Citizens Walk For Lalbagh
The Sunday mobilisation began at 7 am from Lalbagh’s West Gate, with people from different age groups and backgrounds walking through the historic botanical garden under the message, “Not 5%. Not 1%. Not one inch of Lalbagh.”
The campaign was supported by Lalbagh and Cubbon Park Expert Committee Chief Advisor A N Yellappa Reddy and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, while Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, BJP MPs C N Manjunath and others also joined the walk.
The mobilisation follows a series of protests in recent days. More than 200 citizens, resident groups and environmental organisations had formed a human chain at Lalbagh on August 27, while campaigners have also used symbolic actions such as embracing the park’s ancient rock formations and postcard campaigns urging Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to protect Lalbagh.
At the centre of the campaign is the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The legislation permits up to 5% of the total area of a government park or garden to be alienated through mechanisms including sale, lease, gift, exchange or mortgage for specified public infrastructure and utility projects. The provision is limited to government departments, statutory authorities, government companies and local authorities, and includes an evaluation mechanism involving senior officials and domain experts.
Why The 5% Rule Matters
Lalbagh, spread across around 240 acres, is among Bengaluru’s most significant historic and ecological spaces. The amendment has attracted particular attention because of the proposed Hebbal–Central Silk Board twin-tunnel road, a roughly 17-km project intended to provide a signal-free north-south corridor through the city.
Project details cited by reports indicate that around six acres of Lalbagh could be required temporarily, with approximately one acre proposed for permanent acquisition, including land for ramps and associated infrastructure.
Environmentalists and citizen groups argue that the impact of such projects cannot be measured only by the area of land directly occupied. They have raised concerns about trees, biodiversity, Lalbagh Lake, soil, groundwater and the garden’s geological heritage.
Rajkumar Dugar of Citizens for Citizens told The New Indian Express that the proposed works could require land for ramps, shafts and utilities, while a Lalbagh gardener warned of potential damage to saplings and increased traffic around the Wilson Garden-Siddapura area.
Former IFS officer A N Yellappa Reddy has questioned the scientific basis for the 5% limit, asking whether it was supported by studies or recommendations from ecologists, horticulturists, planners or an independent expert body. He has also sought scrutiny of the tunnel road’s Detailed Project Report, alternative alignments, tree and biodiversity assessments and environmental studies.
The government, however, has rejected allegations that the amendment was introduced to benefit private interests. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the provision was intended to enable essential public works, particularly projects such as road widening, where acquiring private land could involve significant compensation or Transferable Development Rights. He has also stated that parkland would not be permitted for use by private players.
From Bill To Public Protest
The controversy escalated after the Karnataka legislature passed the Parks amendment on August 24. The Bill was cleared amid Opposition protests, with BJP and JD(S) members demanding action against then Minister B Nagendra and alleging that the legislation was passed without substantive debate. The Opposition has linked the amendment to the tunnel road and accused the government of creating a legal route for the use of Lalbagh land.
The political controversy was further fuelled by the Adani Group emerging as the lowest bidder for two packages of the tunnel road project and a meeting between Gautam Adani and Shivakumar. BJP leaders have alleged a connection between the developments, while Shivakumar has described Adani’s visit as a “courtesy visit” and rejected claims that the parks amendment was intended to benefit the group.
Surya has separately urged the Governor to return the Bill for reconsideration, while Shobha Karandlaje met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and requested that he withhold assent. Surya has framed the campaign as an issue beyond party politics, appealing to Congress supporters, BJP supporters and citizens without political affiliations to join the movement.
For environmental groups, the debate extends beyond Lalbagh. Bengaluru has around 1,353 parks, with Lalbagh and Cubbon Park among its most prominent green spaces. Campaigners argue that as the city faces rising heat, pollution, flooding and increasing urbanisation, existing parks should be treated as essential public infrastructure rather than land that can be repurposed when development demands it.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Bengaluru needs better transport, safer roads and infrastructure that keeps pace with its growing population. But development and environmental protection need not be treated as opposing choices. When a project affects a historic public green space, citizens deserve transparency, credible environmental assessments, meaningful consultation and a serious examination of alternatives before decisions are finalised.
At the same time, public debate should remain respectful and focused on solutions rather than political hostility. Lalbagh belongs to generations of Bengaluru residents, and protecting it does not have to mean rejecting development it can mean demanding development that is thoughtful, sustainable and inclusive.
