Open Letter to the Govt: Free the Commons at Cubbon

13 May 2026

Open Letter to the Govt: Free the Commons at Cubbon

The Soul of Bengaluru is Not for Sale: A Manifesto Against the Commodification of Cubbon Park

This is in response to the article in UdayVani proposing an entry fee for Cubbon Park .

As a collective of environmentalists, civic activists, and heritage custodians, we stand in resolute opposition to the proposed introduction of entrance fees at Sri Chamarajendra Park (Cubbon Park). This is not merely a debate about a nominal ticket price; it is a fundamental struggle for the identity of our city, the health of our ecosystems, and the integrity of our democracy.

For over 150 years, Cubbon Park has served as the egalitarian heart of Bengaluru. To put a price on its gates is to dismantle the very concept of "The Commons" and betray the trust of the citizens to whom this land belongs. As per earlier requests made by Heritage Beku , we need to renew our efforts now to definitively declare Cubbon Park as a Biodiversity Heritage Site .

1. A Park is Not a Museum: The Crisis of the Commons

There is a critical distinction that the administration seems to have overlooked: Cubbon Park is not a botanical garden; it is a People’s Park.

Unlike Lalbagh, which functions as a curated botanical repository for scientific study, Cubbon Park is a vital civic lung. As noted by Alyia Krumbiegel, great-granddaughter of the legendary G.H. Krumbiegel, a park is a living, breathing space meant for the worker seeking shade, the student seeking quiet, and the elderly seeking health.

• The Barrier of Entry: Imposing a fee transforms a Citizen into a Customer.

• The Death of Inclusivity: Where will the Aam Janta—the daily wage earners, the street vendors, and the marginalized families—go to escape the stifling heat and concrete of an exploding city?

• A Dangerous Precedent: If we allow the "pay-to-breathe" model here, we signal that nature is a luxury for the elite rather than a fundamental right.

2. Ecological Integrity vs. Administrative Inertia

The justification for entry fees—purportedly to fund security and maintenance—is a factual fallacy. The issues plaguing the park are not a result of a lack of revenue potential, but a failure of governance and resource allocation.

• Forgotten Promises: On October 27, 2025, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar categorically promised the public that no entry fee would be charged. He acknowledged that the park’s budget (currently ₹8 crore) needs enhancement and promised a grant of ₹5 crore.

• The Staffing Paradox: It is unsustainable to claim a security crisis when the existing park staff are diverted for census duties, leaving the "green jewel" both unmanned and unguarded.

• Sustainability over Commercialization: We do not need ticket booths; we need:

  • A comprehensive water table study to preserve the park's longevity.

  • The designation of the park as a Biodiversity Site.

  • Strict enforcement of the traffic ban to reduce pollution and vibration damage to heritage structures.

"The true success of a public garden is not how controlled it becomes, but how deeply it is loved, respected and shared by ordinary people." — Alyia Krumbiegel

3. Democracy and the Right to the City

Public spaces are the bedrock of a functioning democracy. They are the only places where people from all walks of life intersect without the mediation of commerce.

By gating Cubbon Park, the government is effectively "punishing the many for the behaviour of a few." Security concerns and public behavior issues should be addressed through better management, CCTV infrastructure, and respectful enforcement, not by financial exclusion.

4. Our Demand: A Call for Accountability

We call upon the Department of Horticulture and the Government of Karnataka to honour the Deputy CM's public commitment. We suggest :

1. Zero Entry Fees: Maintain the park as a free, open-access public space in perpetuity.

2. Budgetary Transparency: Utilize the promised ₹5 crore grant for immediate infrastructure and staffing needs.

3. Heritage Protection: Cease all commercial expansion and prioritize the restoration of the Bandstand and existing historical precincts.

4. Community Governance: Establish a management committee that includes civic groups (like Heritage Beku and CPWA) to ensure the park is managed for people, not for profit.

Cubbon Park is our shared heritage. It was never intended to intimidate or separate; it was built to connect. We will not allow the gates of our 'Garden City' to be locked against its own people.

Signed, 

The Guardians of the Commons

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Additional Note:

The Green Commons: Why Cubbon Park Must Remain Free to All

As an alliance of environmentalists, heritage custodians, and civic advocates, we are profoundly concerned by recent proposals to introduce entrance fees at Sri Chamarajendra Park (Cubbon Park). This proposal is not merely a budgetary adjustment; it is a direct assault on the democratic fabric of Bengaluru and the fundamental right of every citizen to access nature.

Below is our detailed analysis of the implications this move holds for our ecosystems, our heritage, and our civic identity.

I. Voices of the People: The Promise of Accessibility

Leaders and descendants of the park's own legacy have been clear: Cubbon Park is a public trust, not a commercial asset.

Deputy CM DK Shivakumar (Oct 2025): "Cubbon Park is open to the public. Anyone can visit... There is no proposal to collect an entry fee... This is a People’s Park." Source: Bangalore Mirror/Udayavani

Alyia Krumbiegel (G/granddaughter of GH Krumbiegel): "A botanical garden exists for study... but a public park is something far more democratic. A park belongs to the people. It is where children run freely... Bengaluru earned the name 'Garden City' because green spaces were woven into everyday life, not locked away from it."

Priya Chetty-Rajagopal (Heritage Beku): "Where will poor people go? This is so undemocratic... I disagree with any proposal to charge fees, because it is the only people’s park."

II. Global & National Standards: Great Cities Don't Charge for Breath

The world's greatest urban centers treat their central parks as "The Commons"—spaces that are essential for public health and are funded through taxes, not tickets. To charge for Cubbon Park would place Bengaluru outside the league of globally respected, livable cities.

Park Name	Location	Status	Heritage/Size
Lodi Gardens	Delhi, India	Free	Historic 15th-century tombs & park
The Maidan	Kolkata, India	Free	400-acre "Lungs of Kolkata"
Central Park	New York, USA	Free	843-acre global icon
Hyde Park	London, UK	Free	Royal park open to all since 1637
Tiergarten	Berlin, Germany	Free	Historic hunting ground turned public park

III. The Philosophers of the Commons

Global conservationists and urban planners have long argued that free access to nature is a prerequisite for a healthy society.

• Frederick Law Olmsted (Designer of Central Park): He believed that the beauty of a park should be "the beauty of the fields... of the green pastures" and that it must provide a "sense of enlarged freedom" to those escaping the "cramped, confined, and controlling circumstances of the streets." Charging a fee reimposes those "controlling circumstances" at the very gate of relief.

• Jane Jacobs (Urban Visionary): In The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jacobs argued that public parks are "brilliant manifestations of democracy" only because they are owned and usable by anyone. Ticketing creates a "resource-sucking dead zone" by filtering out the very diversity that makes a park safe and vibrant.

• John Muir (Conservationist): "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike."

IV. Implications on Ecosystems and Democracy

1. The Erosion of the Commons

When a public space is ticketed, the visitor is no longer a Citizen with a right; they become a Customer with an expectation. This shifts the management's focus from ecological preservation to "customer satisfaction," often leading to unnecessary "beautification" projects (paving, kiosks, lighting) that harm biodiversity.

2. Ecological Exclusion

Cubbon Park is a critical Micro-Climate Regulator. If the socio-economically disadvantaged are priced out, they are disproportionately affected by the "Urban Heat Island" effect. Democracy dictates that the cooling effects of 300 acres of canopy should not be a "premium service."

3. Administrative Failure vs. Civic Punishment

The argument for fees to fund "security and CCTV" is a redirection of responsibility.

• The Budget Exists: The DCM promised an additional ₹5 crore grant.

• Staffing Shortfall: It is a governance failure to send park staff on census duty and then ask citizens to pay for the resulting lack of security.

Conclusion

Cubbon Park is the soul of Bengaluru. To gate it is to tell the worker, the student, and the ordinary family that they are no longer welcome in the heart of their own city. We demand that the government honor its October 2025 commitment: Keep the gates open, keep the air free, and keep the democracy of our "Garden City" intact.

References:

• Udayavani News: Cubbon Park Entry Fee Proposal

• Central Park Conservancy: The Purpose of the Park

• Heritage Beku: Statements on Public Commons preservation.

Past Forward– Proposal for Community & Heritage Collaboration with The Planetarium

1 Feb 2026

The Director,

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (BASE),

High Grounds, Bengaluru – 560001.

Dear Dr. Guruprasad,

Subject: Proposal for "Past Forward" – A Community & Heritage Collaboration with The Planetarium

I hope this letter finds you well. Thank you for the chat we had and  your interest in this space and on being a stronger part of the local community.

I am writing to you on behalf of Heritage Beku, a citizen’s initiative dedicated to preserving the unique historical and cultural character of our city. As you know, we are deeply invested in connecting the citizens of Bengaluru with their roots, not just to celebrate the past, but to anchor our future.

We have long admired the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium for its tremendous impact on children and students, sparking curiosity about the cosmos in young minds. However, we see a wonderful, untapped opportunity to widen this circle of wonder to the adult community and the local residents of our vibrant neighbourhood—including Palace Road, Millers Road, Vasant Nagar, and the Raj Bhavan area.

Our Proposal: A "Past Forward" Quarterly Program While the planetarium is a gateway to the future, the study of the skies is also one of our oldest shared heritages. We propose collaborating on a special quarterly evening program designed specifically for adults and the local community.

• The Theme: "Past Forward"—exploring how our understanding of the universe has shaped our history, culture, and future.

• The Format: A conducive, relaxed setting where adults can engage with astronomy, perhaps linking it to Indian heritage (like the Jantar Mantar legacy) or modern "Dark Sky" conservation, followed by a sky-watch.

• The Goal: To bridge the gap between "science for kids" and "lifelong wonder for adults," making the Planetarium a community anchor for all ages.

Community Integration We believe the Planetarium can be the beating heart of the Central Bangalore community. By engaging with local residents, schools, and colleges in a more direct, informal capacity, we can embed the institution as a caring, responsible, and integral part of our daily lives.

Formalizing the Partnership To take this forward, we would be delighted to sign an informal Letter of Understanding (LoU) or Collaboration with you. This would allow us to co-curate activities, drive community engagement, and bring a new demographic of enthusiastic citizens to your doorstep.

We are certain that this initiative will build on your existing success and position the Planetarium as a dynamic space where Heritage meets Science. We look forward to discussing this with you at the earliest.

Warm regards,

Priya Chetty Rajagopal 

Founder, Heritage Beku

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Research: Global Best Practices & Similar Initiatives

To support our discussion , here are examples of how planetariums and heritage organisations worldwide are collaborating to engage adult audiences:

1. "Archaeoastronomy" & Heritage Walk

• Concept: connecting ancient sites with astronomical significance.

• Relevance: India has a rich history of astronomy (e.g., Jantar Mantar). A session on “How Bengaluru’s ancestors saw the sky” or “Indian Astronomy Heritage” would perfectly blend the missions of Heritage Beku and the Planetarium.

2. The "Museum Late" or "Star Party" Model

• Global Practice: Institutions like the Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles) and Science Museum (London) host "Lates"—adult-only evenings with talks, music, and telescope viewings.

• Local Adaptation: A quarterly "Star Party" at JNP for the Vasant Nagar/Millers Road community would foster a sense of ownership and neighbourliness.

3. "Dark Sky" Heritage Conservation

• Trend: The International Dark-Sky Association works to protect the night sky as a shared heritage.

• Idea: Heritage Beku could champion a "Dark Sky" awareness campaign in the Central Business District (CBD) to reduce light pollution, with the Planetarium as the technical expert. This positions the sky itself as a "heritage structure" worth saving.

4. Citizen Science Projects

• Example: Galaxy Zoo allows citizens to help classify galaxies.

• Idea: Launch a "Bengaluru Sky Watch" where locals contribute data on star visibility, blending community effort with scientific observation.

Heritage Beku unveils Limited Edition 2026 Calendar with Rumale Art House

HERITAGE BEKU UNVEILS LIMITED EDITION 2026 CALENDAR, CELEBRATING BANGALORE’S BLOOMS THROUGH THE ART OF RUMALE

Bangalore, December 2025 – Heritage Beku, the citizen-led movement championing the city's unique culture, today announced the launch of its warmly anticipated 2026 calendar. This year’s edition is a landmark artistic collaboration, featuring twelve stunning, never-before-published paintings of Bangalore’s iconic flowering trees by the renowned Kannada painter laureate, Shri Rumale.

Titled “Hoovu Habba: A Year in Bloom,” the calendar transforms Shri Rumale’s exquisite botanical art into a free, limited-edition public resource. It serves as a constant, beautiful reminder of the city’s natural heritage, directly embodying the spirit of Heritage Beku’s Hoovu Habba initiative—Bangalore’s answer to the global tradition of celebrating seasonal blossoms.

“This calendar is more than a timekeeper; it’s a manifesto of beauty and a call to preservation,” said a spokesperson for Heritage Beku. “Shri Rumale’s paintings do not just depict trees; they capture the soul of our city’s avenues—the nostalgia of pink Tabebuia showers, the vibrant hope in Gulmohar flames, and the quiet dignity of flowering Jacaranda. Through this collaboration with the Rumale Trust, we are placing a piece of living heritage on every desk.”

The 2026 calendar is a direct outcome of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Rumale Art House. It marks a significant milestone for Heritage Beku, weaving together art, botany, and civic memory into a single, impactful artifact. The calendar will be distributed free of charge, continuing Heritage Beku’s tradition of creating sought-after collectibles that foster city pride.

About Heritage Beku & Hoovu Habba:Heritage Beku is a citizen initiative dedicated to documenting, celebrating, and advocating for the preservation of Bangalore’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. ‘Hoovu Habba’ (Festival of Flowers) is its flagship campaign to institutionalize the celebration of the city’s unique, year-round serial blossoming of avenue trees—a 100-year-old botanical legacy planned by horticulturists like Gustav Krumbiegel.

Launch Event Details:

• Date: First Weekend of January 2026

• Venue: Virtual: To be announced on Heritage Beku’s social media channels.

• Availability: Limited edition.

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ANNEXURE:

The Global Context & City Impact of ‘Hoovu Habba’

This annexure provides the researched background on the global tradition of blossom festivals and the specific, transformative potential of the Hoovu Habba initiative for Bangalore.

1. Global Precedents: How Cities Celebrate Blossoms

The act of celebrating seasonal blooms is a powerful urban tradition across the world, driving tourism, community cohesion, and environmental awareness.

• Japan’s Hanami: The quintessential model. The cherry blossom (Sakura) season is a profound national cultural event, rooted in centuries of history. It generates billions in tourism revenue, inspires art and merchandise, and is a core part of Japanese cultural identity. It symbolizes both beauty and transience (mono no aware).

• Washington D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival: A direct cultural import that has become a defining civic event. What began with a gift of 3,000 trees from Japan in 1912 now attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually, featuring a parade, cultural performances, and a major economic impact estimated at over $150 million each year.

• Sikkim’s Cherry Blossom Festival: A successful Indian example that has put Sikkim on the global tourism map. It combines natural beauty with local music, food, and adventure sports, showcasing how regional flora can be leveraged for sustainable tourism and brand identity.

Key Takeaway: These festivals transcend mere “flower viewing.” They are strategically curated cultural-economic platforms that build city brand equity, foster local pride, and create recurring economic value.

2. Bangalore’s Unique Heritage: The ‘Garden City’s’ Botanical Symphony

Hoovu Habba is not inventing a tradition but institutionalizing a forgotten one. As noted in Heritage Beku’s campaign, Bangalore’s “serial blossoming” was a deliberate, scientific design by horticulturist Gustav Herman Krumbiegel and later S.G. Neginhal. They curated tree avenues (Tabebuia, Gulmohar, Jacaranda, etc.) to ensure year-round color—a living, breathing public art project.

This makes Bangalore’s heritage distinct:

• It’s Year-Round: Unlike a single-species, two-week bloom, Bangalore offers a rotating palette.

• It’s Architectural: The blooms are integrated into the city’s street fabric, not just parks.

• It’s Tangible Heritage: These mature tree avenues are as much a part of the city’s heritage as its colonial buildings or temples.

3. The Strategic Impact of Hoovu Habba & This Calendar

The 2026 Rumale calendar is a critical first step in a larger strategic framework, as outlined in Heritage Beku’s vision. Its impact is multidimensional:

• Cultural & Educational Impact: The calendar, paired with proposed art camps, poetry readings, and school curricula, moves blooms from background to focus. It creates a shared visual language and narrative for the city’s natural heritage, much like Japanese woodblock prints did for Sakura.

• Tourism & Economic Impact: By mapping blooms (e.g., “Tabebuia Trails in Lalbagh,” “Jacaranda Canopies of Jayamahal”), Hoovu Habba can disperse tourism across seasons and neighborhoods. This supports local businesses, guides, and hospitality, mirroring the economic model of Washington D.C. or Sikkim.

• Preservation & Environmental Impact: Celebration is the first step toward preservation. A public that values the pink Tabebuia as a cultural icon will actively oppose its felling for a road widening. Initiatives like “Tree Champions,” “Adoption,” and digital mapping create direct citizen stewardship, safeguarding this green legacy against urban pressure.

• Artistic & Archival Impact: The collaboration with Rumale sets a powerful precedent. It elevates botanical art as a serious genre tied to civic identity and creates a priceless archival record. Future ideas like a coffee table book or a digital “Bloom Map” would further this mission.

Conclusion: An Optimistic, Forward-Looking Heritage

Hoovu Habba, catalyzed by artifacts like the Rumale calendar, redefines heritage not as a static look backward, but as a living, breathing, and colorful practice. It connects Bangalore to a global family of cities that find strength in their natural beauty while forging a unique, optimistic identity for India’s garden city. This calendar is the seed from which a richer, more colorful, and more conscious city can grow.