Karnataka CM Signals Review of 5% Park Land Amendment Bill in Assembly

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, that the state government is prepared to review the controversial park amendment bill in the Legislative Assembly. The announcement comes in response to mounting public outcry and political protests over the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which allows the alienation of up to 5 percent of park and garden land for public infrastructure projects across the state, including in Bengaluru.

The legislation was passed by both Houses of the Karnataka Legislature on August 24, 2026, amid intense Opposition protests. Reports indicate that a primary objective of the amendment is to facilitate the acquisition of approximately one acre of land from the historic Lalbagh Botanical Garden for a proposed tunnel road project intended to relieve traffic congestion.

The proposed policy triggered strong opposition from environmental groups, civic organizations, and local political leaders. Thousands of citizens assembled at Lalbagh on August 30 to protest the amendment, expressing severe concerns over the potential degradation of urban green spaces. Bengaluru Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament have also openly voiced opposition to the measure.

Addressing public anxieties, Chief Minister Shivakumar indicated a willingness to re-examine the bill and evaluate historical precedents. He stated that he would retrieve the official files to investigate why the 5 percent land allocation clause was originally incorporated. He added that the review would also encompass past decisions regarding land allocation under previous governments, including land diverted from Lalbagh for the city's metro system.

Shivakumar assured citizens that park land would be safeguarded, stating that no one needs to worry and emphasizing that any final decision would be taken in the public interest. He reiterated that he is open to receiving suggestions from both the Opposition and the public to ensure clarity and avoid creating confusion.

The initial passage of the amendment bill in August was also accompanied by political discord over separate issues. Opposition members staged protests during the legislative session regarding the inclusion of B. Nagendra, citing his alleged role in the embezzlement of funds at the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation.

With the state government agreeing to reconsider the proposal, the future of the amendment bill and its specific implications for Lalbagh remain subject to further debate when the Legislative Assembly reconvenes. Environmental advocates and civic groups continue to call for the complete protection of public park lands across Karnataka.

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