Following the Karnataka government’s recent restriction on film and wedding shoots in Cubbon Park, Bengaluru’s renowned Lalbagh Botanical Garden may soon enforce similar curbs. The Department of Horticulture is in the final stages of drafting a proposal to prohibit all types of photo and video shoots within Lalbagh. This includes pre- and post-wedding shoots, baby and fashion portfolios, Instagram reels, and commercial filming.
Officials emphasized that the initiative isn’t aimed at curbing public enjoyment but rather at balancing public access with the urgent need to protect the park’s biodiversity. “Lalbagh is more than a park — it’s a vital ecological zone that must be preserved,” stated a senior horticulture official.
Joint Director of Parks and Gardens, M. Jagadish, confirmed the department is acting on recommendations by an expert panel led by former IFS officer and ecologist A.N. Yellappa Reddy. The move mirrors the “protection-first” model already adopted for Cubbon Park.
Concerns cited include the disturbance caused by loud music, flash lighting, and elaborate setups used in shoots, which have disrupted birds and bees — even leading to bee-sting incidents. There are also complaints about inappropriate public behavior during photoshoots, such as revealing costume changes or provocative poses, which make other visitors — especially families and senior citizens — uncomfortable.
Additionally, damage to trees and flowerbeds from people climbing or standing on them for better angles has been reported. The department aims to prioritize ecology over aesthetics.
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