Karnataka Government to Revisit 5 Percent Park Land Rule After Protests
· India · Indian Express, Deccan Herald
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced that the state government will revisit a controversial legal amendment allowing 5 per cent of protected park land to be used for public utilities. The decision follows large-scale protests in Bengaluru by residents and opposition BJP leaders against the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Act 2026. Shivakumar stated that he will examine the files regarding the proposal and review decisions made by the previous BJP administration concerning parks like Lalbagh and Cubbon Park. The 1975 Act was amended to allow alienation of park land through sale, lease, gift, or mortgage up to an absolute limit of 5 per cent of the total area. The chief minister assured the public that the final decision will be made keeping larger public interest in mind after holding discussions in the Assembly.
Why it matters
Bengaluru residents and urban conservationists fighting to preserve the city's 1,353 green spaces gain a renewed platform to shape local environmental policy as the government re-evaluates commercial and utility exemptions.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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