Collaborative Next Steps for Conservation of Biodiversity Heritage Site Cantonment Grove

The beautiful Cantonment Biodiversity Grove Site

20 Sept 2025

The Honourable Minister Mr. Eshwar B. Khandre,

Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment,

Chairman, Karnataka Biodiversity Board,Government of Karnataka,

Bengaluru.

Email:

Subject: Congratulations on Declaring Cantonment Railway Station a Biodiversity Heritage Site – Proposal for Collaborative Next Steps for its Conservation & Promotion

Respected Sir,

We are writing to you today with immense enthusiasm and a deep sense of optimism to wholeheartedly congratulate you and the Karnataka Biodiversity Board on the visionary and decisive step of declaring the verdant 6-acre plot at the Cantonment Railway Station a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). This is a landmark initiative that sets a powerful precedent for urban conservation in India.

This declaration is not merely a notification; it is a promise—a promise to the city of Bengaluru and a commitment to future generations that we will protect the rich, breathing heart of biodiversity nestled within our bustling urban landscape. Sir, your leadership in this is truly commendable.

In addition, this 8.61-acre green area is not only home to 371 mature trees from 50 different species but holds historical significance, including being a location where Mahatma Gandhi once addressed a crowd, and being the army early marching ground.

While the declaration is the crucial first victory, we believe the real work—and the real opportunity—begins now. To ensure this site becomes a thriving, celebrated model of urban biodiversity and not just a statically protected space, we must act with collaborative energy. We must inform, educate, empower, conserve, and sustain this natural heritage.

Towards this goal, we humbly propose a framework for the next steps:

1.     Formation of a Focused Steering Committee: We urgently recommend constituting a small, dynamic, and multi-stakeholder committee to chart the immediate and long-term future of the Cantonment BHS. This committee should include experts from ecology and horticulture, digital innovation specialists, representatives from the Railway Authorities, local community leaders, and citizen groups like Heritage Beku to ensure grassroots involvement.

2.     Comprehensive Digital & Physical Accessibility:

o   Scientific Survey: Commission a detailed bio-inventory by a renowned academic institution (e.g., Azim Premji University, GKVK, IISc) to officially document every tree, its age, the resident flora, fauna, and avifauna, creating a vital baseline database.

o   Digital Intervention: Develop a simple app or web portal with interactive maps, information on each species, and digital history trails. This will make the space accessible to students, researchers, and tourists, transforming it into a live classroom.

o   Physical Interpretation: Install elegant, informative signages and markers to educate visitors about the ecological significance of what they are witnessing.

3.     Inclusive Stakeholder Collaboration: The active involvement of the immediate community,  The GBA Bengaluru Central Corporation n(under Mr Rajendra Cholan)  the adjacent railway staff, and the South Western Railway authorities will be key to the site's security and sustained maintenance. Their sense of ownership will be its greatest shield.

4.     Strategic Branding & Synergy: Creating a compelling identity—such as "Cantonment Grove" or "Cantonment Green Mara"—will deepen public recall and connection. Furthermore, since heritage and tourism are intrinsically linked, involving the Department of Tourism  and GBA Central at this stage can help integrate this site into Bengaluru’s heritage walks and tourist maps, making it a must-visit destination.

Sir, we are all keenly aware of the fate of some well-intentioned projects that, without sustained effort, fade from public memory. We must ensure that the Cantonment BHS avoids the neglect seen at sites like the Nallur Tamarind Grove in Devanahalli and instead becomes a benchmark for success.

This initiative also presents the perfect opportunity to look ahead. The success of the Cantonment BHS can be the catalyst for according similar status to other deserving green jewels of Bengaluru, such as the Roerich Estate, Cubbon Park, and Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, further cementing Karnataka’s leadership in ecological conservation.

We, the undersigned, and our associated groups are eager to collaborate, contribute, and provide all possible support to you and the Board. We are ready to discuss and collaborate on detailed plans, expertise, and volunteers to see this through.

We request an opportunity to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss these proposals further.

Once again, our heartfelt congratulations on this transformative step. Let us work together to make the Cantonment Biodiversity Heritage Site a national exemplar of urban ecological stewardship.

Thanking you,

Sincerely,

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Founder

On behalf of concerned citizens, environmentalists, and heritage enthusiasts of Bengaluru.

Copy:

·       Mr R Cholan, Commissioner, Bengaluru Central Corporation

·       The Principal Secretary, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment.

·       The Member Secretary, Karnataka Biodiversity Board

·       All Concerned

Open Letter to CM: Save Lalbagh from the Tunnel Project

Respected Chief Minister,

We write with deep concern over the proposal to construct a tunnel road beneath Lalbagh Botanical Garden — Bengaluru’s green heart and a symbol of our shared heritage.

As the descendants of G.H. Krumbiegel, H.C. Javaraya, and Dr. M.H. Marigowda — who each, in their own unique way, helped shape Lalbagh, Cubbon Park, and much of our city’s botanical legacy — we feel a profound responsibility to speak out.

Our ancestors’ vision, shared with the city’s early founders, was of a Bengaluru where nature and progress coexist, not collide.

The idea of tunnelling through Lalbagh Rock, one of the oldest geological formations on Earth, is deeply troubling. This ancient granite, estimated to be over three billion years old, is a monument of time itself — a silent witness to our planet’s earliest history. To disturb it for a traffic experiment would be an irreversible act of harm — both ecological and cultural.

Cities across the world fiercely protect their heritage landscapes. London would never allow Kew Gardens to be dug through for a road; New York would never carve a tunnel under Central Park. Should Bengaluru — once hailed as India’s Garden City — now destroy the very gardens that gave it that name?

We must seek smarter, sustainable solutions for urban mobility that respect history, biodiversity, and public sentiment. Lalbagh is not just a patch of land — it is Bengaluru’s soul, a living museum of flora and a legacy we hold in trust for generations yet to come.

We therefore urge your government to withdraw any plans that endanger Lalbagh and to reaffirm Karnataka’s commitment to heritage and environmental preservation. True progress lies in protecting what makes our city unique — not erasing it.

Let Lalbagh stand — untouched, undisturbed, and forever green. 🌿

Signed,

-Alyia Krumbiegel great granddaughter of GH Krumbiegel .

-Harish Padmanabha grandson of Rao Bahadur H.C.Javaraya LAg, FLS, FRHS,

-Chandra Shaker Grandson of Dr Marigowda

Rejection of Noise Pollution licenses for high decibel events near Cubbon Park

Based on today's newspaper publlc notices 29 Oct 25 , Heritage Beku writes to Police Commissioner :

29 Oct 2025

The Commissioner of Police

Bangalore City Police

Infantry Road

Bengaluru 560001

Dear Sir,

Subject: FIRM DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL AND REJECTION OF NOISE POLLUTION LICENSES FOR HIGH-DECIBEL EVENTS NEAR CUBBON PARK – Upholding Supreme Court Mandates and Protecting Biodiversity.

We write to you today on behalf of the citizens of Bangalore, with deep concern and a clear, urgent request , regarding the ongoing and proposed issuance of licenses for high-decibel sound events in the immediate vicinity of Cubbon Park, the city's invaluable "People's Park" and a precious green lung.

We understand that the police has published a notice , and license applications have been filed by prominent entities, including F& F Hospitality and Marriot Executive Apartments, seeking permission to generate sound levels that consistently and drastically exceed the legally mandated decibel limits.

Breach of Law and Constitutional Mandate

The very consideration and public notice of such applications are fundamentally contradictory to the established legal framework.

1. Violation of Supreme Court Orders: The Honourable Supreme Court of India, in its landmark ruling on noise pollution (In Re: Noise Pollution), unequivocally established the Right to Peace, Sleep, and Silence as an intrinsic part of the Fundamental Right to Life (Article 21). Furthermore, the allowance of noise beyond permissible limits is a direct affront to the specific commitment made by the then-Police Commissioner, Mr. Praveen Sood, who submitted an affidavit confirming adherence to the noise pollution standards set out by the Supreme Court. Allowing such licenses is not only detrimental to public health and the environment but also constitutes an explicit act that goes against the Supreme Court's binding directions.(see enclosed)

2. Silence Zone Mandate: Cubbon Park falls squarely under the definition of a "Silence Zone," where the prescribed ambient noise limit is strictly capped at 50 dB(A) during the day and 40 dB(A) at night (as per CPCB Noise Pollution Rules, 2000). The repeated and widely reported raucous noise from previous and proposed events easily surpasses these standards, treating a critical ecological space with impunity.

Impact on Biodiversity and Public Health

The indiscriminate allowance of loud, inappropriate sound is causing irretrievable damage to the park's delicate ecosystem:

• Flora and Fauna: The delicate biodiversity of Cubbon Park—including essential bird species, small mammals, and insects—is highly sensitive to acoustic disturbance. Excessive noise disrupts their communication, foraging, breeding cycles, and anti-predator behaviour, leading to habitat displacement and a decline in species richness.

• Public Nuisance: The highly loud noise and inappropriate timings have led to huge issues and sustained protest from Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) On Lavelle Road, Kasturba Road and Vittal Mallya Road,  and affected parties nearby. It is deeply concerning that repeated requests from these citizen bodies have historically not been heeded, leading to a perception that the cloud and connections of major hospitality chains allow noise to be permitted with impunity, disregarding the well-being of the local community.

National and International Precedents for Protection

This is not an isolated concern. Across the country and the world, environmental and judicial authorities have recognized the non-negotiable need to protect sensitive zones from acoustic pollution.

• In India, studies in protected areas like Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, and the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary have documented noise levels exceeding 80 dB(A) due to anthropogenic activities, leading to adverse ecological impacts. This evidence reaffirms the direct conflict between high noise levels and the health of our green spaces. Legal frameworks like the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, are increasingly being cited to regulate activities, including tourism noise, that disturb protected area wildlife.

• Internationally, developed nations like the UK have had explicit legislation, such as the Noise Abatement Act, 1960, to prohibit loudspeaker usage during late hours, specifically to ensure peace. Furthermore, global jurisprudence, including the European Court of Human Rights, affirms that environmental protection—including the control of noise pollution—is inextricably linked to the fundamental human rights to health and life.

Our Earnest Request

As a caring city, focused on the environment, public health, and our children’s future, we honestly request, if not demand, that the Police Department immediately adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards noise pollution for sale. We request the immediate rejection of the current license applications by F& F Hospitality and Marriot Executive Apartments and a commitment that no future application for loud sound events will be considered in the vicinity of Cubbon Park.

We cannot, and must not, allow the explicit risk to people, flora, and fauna in a delicate biodiversity hotspot for a few hours of irresponsible pleasure by hotel guests or visitors. We urge you to uphold the rule of law and the spirit of the Supreme Court's mandate by strictly enforcing Silence Zone regulations.

We look forward to your firm action in protecting our People's Park.

Yours sincerely,

For Heritage Beku

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal

Public Notice

Acknowledged letter to Police Commissioners Office..

Article in Bangalore Mirror on this subject :

https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/bengalurus-elite-enclaves-boil-over-rooftop-music-madness/articleshow/124961800.cms