Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday withdrew the contentious Parks Bill following widespread opposition from citizens, environmental activists, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and opposition parties.
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said the government has decided to withdraw the Bill for now, place it in the public domain for wider discussion and bring it back in a different form during the next Assembly session.
The decision comes a day after Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar indicated that the legislation would be revisited amid mounting criticism over its potential impact on Bengaluru’s green spaces.
Bill to be discussed before reintroduction
Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Parameshwara said the government would not proceed with the legislation in its present form.
He said the Bill would first be made available to the public, allowing citizens and stakeholders to examine and discuss its provisions before the government considers bringing it back before the legislature.
The Deputy Chief Minister also criticised the BJP, alleging that the opposition party had not discussed the Bill in the Assembly and had instead created misconceptions among the public for political purposes.
However, the controversy surrounding the legislation had grown substantially in recent days, particularly among citizens and environmental groups concerned about the possible use of park land for infrastructure and utility projects.
Parks Bill had triggered controversy
The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act amendment Bill was passed by the Assembly on August 24 without a debate.
One of the most controversial provisions allowed up to 5% of the total extent of any park or garden under the horticulture department to be alienated for infrastructure or utility projects.
The Bill stated that such use of park land would be considered to be in furtherance of “public interest”.
Critics argued that the provision could potentially weaken safeguards protecting Bengaluru’s parks and gardens. They expressed concern that land meant for public green spaces could eventually be diverted for large infrastructure projects.
The issue gained particular attention because of concerns surrounding Lalbagh Botanical Garden, one of Bengaluru’s most prominent green spaces.
Thousands protest at Lalbagh
On Sunday, thousands of citizens, environmental activists, RWAs and public figures gathered at Lalbagh Botanical Garden to demand that the government withdraw the Bill.
The protesters maintained that the legislation could create an avenue for the loss of valuable green spaces in Bengaluru.
Participants carried handwritten postcards urging the government to abandon proposals linked to a tunnel road shaft, a multi-level parking facility and commercial structures.
They also demanded that Lalbagh be declared a “Construction Free Zone”.
For many participants, the protest was not against infrastructure development itself but against the choice of Lalbagh as a location for such projects.
The protesters argued that Bengaluru requires infrastructure improvements, but questioned whether protected and environmentally sensitive public spaces should be used to accommodate them.
Concerns over Lalbagh’s geological heritage
A major focus of the protest was Lalbagh’s ancient Peninsular Gneiss rock formation.
Environmentalists and citizens expressed apprehension that subterranean drilling, tunnelling and the movement of heavy machinery could affect the geological formation as well as the broader ecosystem of the botanical garden.
The Peninsular Gneiss formation is among Lalbagh’s prominent geological features and has long attracted interest from geologists and visitors.
Protesters feared that underground infrastructure work could have consequences extending beyond the immediate construction site, including potential disturbance to the park’s soil, vegetation and geological features.
Their concerns added a scientific and environmental dimension to the opposition against the Parks Bill.
Government faces pressure over green spaces
The withdrawal represents a temporary setback for the proposed amendment and gives the government an opportunity to reconsider its provisions before bringing forward a revised version.
The government’s decision to place the Bill in the public domain could also provide environmental groups, urban planners, citizens and other stakeholders with an opportunity to examine the proposed changes and submit their views.
The controversy has highlighted a broader debate over Bengaluru’s rapid infrastructure development and the need to protect its remaining green spaces.
With the city facing growing demands for roads, public transport, parking and other infrastructure, authorities are under pressure to balance development requirements with environmental protection.
Citizens opposing the Bill have maintained that public infrastructure should be planned without compromising important parks and ecological assets.
Revised Bill likely in next Assembly session
The government has indicated that it intends to revisit the legislation rather than abandon the proposed changes altogether.
Parameshwara said the Bill would be reintroduced in a different form after it is discussed publicly. This means the issue is likely to return to the political and public debate when the Assembly meets for its next session.
The withdrawal also follows Shivakumar’s statement that the government would reconsider the legislation amid criticism.
For now, the Cabinet’s decision has provided relief to citizen groups and environmental activists who had been demanding that the Bill be scrapped.
The next version of the legislation will be closely watched, particularly for provisions concerning the use of park land for infrastructure and utility projects. The government’s challenge will be to frame legislation that accommodates genuine public infrastructure requirements while ensuring that Bengaluru’s limited green spaces remain protected for future generations.