Bengaluru’s Parks Are Not Land Banks

For everyone who has fought to protect Bengaluru’s precious green spaces, the passing of this Bill is an incredibly painful moment.

But let us be absolutely clear: this is not just about Lalbagh.

It is about the future of every park and protected green space in Bengaluru and across Karnataka that could now face increasing pressure from infrastructure and development.

Lalbagh, Cubbon Park, Jayamahal Park, Bugle Rock Park, Freedom Park, Cariappa Park, Coles Park, Sankey Tank and the countless neighbourhood parks that help make Bengaluru the Garden City are all part of our shared heritage.

Each has its own history, ecological importance and place in the lives of the communities who use them.

5% Is Not “Just 5%”

Five per cent may sound like a small figure. It is not.

Once pieces are taken from irreplaceable green spaces, that land cannot simply be returned. Trees can be replanted, but mature ecosystems, established landscapes, biodiversity and decades sometimes centuries of history cannot be recreated overnight.

More importantly, we must ask what precedent is being established.

If parkland can be allocated for infrastructure today, where does that principle end?

Today, 5%. Tomorrow, what?

We must stop viewing parks as empty government land waiting to be used for another purpose. They are public assets, held in trust for present and future generations.

Lalbagh Is More Than a Park

Lalbagh is particularly precious. It is not simply an open green space in the middle of Bengaluru. It is a historic botanical garden and a living part of the city's horticultural heritage.

But the principle extends far beyond Lalbagh.

Whether it is a world-famous botanical garden, a historic urban park or a small neighbourhood green space, every park contributes to the character, environment and quality of life of Bengaluru.

These spaces provide shade, biodiversity, cleaner air, areas for recreation and respite, and a vital connection between people and nature in an increasingly dense city.

Once they are lost, they are extraordinarily difficult if not impossible to replace.

The Fight Is Not Over

The passing of the Bill may be devastating, but it does not mean the conversation ends here.

There are important legal, constitutional, environmental and heritage questions that deserve proper examination.

Before a single square metre of protected parkland is sacrificed, there should be transparency, credible scientific evidence, independent scrutiny and meaningful public consultation.

Citizens deserve to know why protected green space is considered necessary for development, what alternatives have been examined, and what the long-term consequences will be.

This is not about being against infrastructure or against Bengaluru's development.

It is about asking whether development can be achieved without permanently sacrificing the green spaces that make this city what it is.

We Must Stand Up for Every Park

Heritage is not limited to monuments and buildings.

Our landscapes, gardens, trees, parks and public green spaces are also heritage.

And heritage belongs not only to those of us who are fortunate enough to enjoy it today. It belongs to the generations that come after us.

We will continue to stand for all of Bengaluru’s parks

not just the famous ones.

Because once green space is gone, we cannot simply plant our way back to the landscape we lost.

🌳 PARKS ARE NOT LAND BANKS.

🌳 5% IS NOT “JUST 5%”.

🌳 EVERY PARK MATTERS.

🌳 BENGALURU’S GREEN HERITAGE BELONGS TO FUTURE GENERATIONS TOO.

The Bill may have passed. The fight to protect Bengaluru’s parks has not.