‘Open to suggestions’: Karnataka CM Shivakumar after protests over park land rule
Speaking to the media near his residence, Shivakumar said, “I will examine why this proposal to allocate 5 per cent of park land came about, what the previous government did, and which land was given to whom. I will call for the files, and we can discuss this again in the Assembly.”
The chief minister was referring to the “Walk in Lalbagh. Walk for Lalbagh” protest held in Bengaluru.
“I am open to suggestions from the Opposition. I will also consider suggestions from the public. It is not my intention to create any confusion. The decision will be taken keeping the larger public interest in mind,” he added.
The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Act 2026 amends the original 1975 Act, allowing the state “to alienate park land by way of sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage, or otherwise, up to an absolute limit of 5 per cent of the total area”.
Critics fear the law will open the door to real estate development and infrastructure projects, but the government says it applies only to public utility projects undertaken by government departments, statutory authorities, public sector companies, or local authorities.
The 240-acre Lalbagh Botanical Garden and the 197-acre Cubbon Park are the most iconic among the 1,353 parks in Bengaluru.
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