Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has said the state government will revisit the controversial amendment that permits up to 5% of park and garden land to be used for public utility and infrastructure projects.
The announcement comes amid growing public opposition to the legislation, particularly from Bengaluru residents, environmental activists, walkers, resident welfare associations and political leaders. Thousands of citizens had gathered at Lalbagh on August 30 to protest against the amendment and raise concerns over the protection of the city’s green spaces.
Shivakumar offers fresh debate on the legislation
Speaking to reporters on September 1, Shivakumar said he would call for the government files and examine the circumstances under which the provision allowing 5% of park land was introduced.
He said the government would look into what previous administrations had done with park land and examine details regarding land that had been allotted or diverted in the past.
The Chief Minister also indicated that the matter could be brought back for discussion in the Assembly. He said the amendment had been passed without adequate discussion and that he was prepared to facilitate a fresh debate, including taking suggestions from the Opposition and members of the public.
The development is significant as the government had earlier defended the amendment as a measure intended to facilitate public infrastructure rather than private development.
What the amended law allows
The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was passed by both Houses of the state legislature on August 24.
The amendment changes provisions of the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, allowing the state to alienate park land through sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage or other means, subject to an absolute limit of 5% of the total area.
The provision applies to parks and gardens under the horticulture department. It permits portions of such land to be used for infrastructure or utility projects, with the legislation stating that these projects would be considered to be in furtherance of public interest.
The amendment restricts the use of such land to government departments, statutory authorities, public sector companies and local authorities.
Environmental concerns trigger public opposition
While the government has maintained that the provision is intended for public projects, environmental groups and citizen organisations have expressed concern about the possible long-term impact on Bengaluru’s green spaces.
Critics fear that allowing even a limited portion of protected park land to be diverted could create a precedent for infrastructure projects being developed within or around important green areas.
Lalbagh Botanical Garden has become a major focus of the controversy. The issue has also been linked to concerns surrounding major infrastructure proposals in Bengaluru, including the proposed Hebbal–Silk Board twin tunnel road. Protesters have argued that the amendment could make it easier to use park land for such projects.
Government to examine earlier park land diversions
Shivakumar has also pointed towards decisions taken by previous governments while discussing the present controversy.
According to his remarks, the government intends to examine records relating to park land that was previously allotted or used for various purposes. He referred to earlier decisions involving park land, including land associated with Lalbagh and infrastructure projects.
The move could broaden the debate beyond the current amendment and bring earlier instances of park land diversion under public scrutiny.
The Chief Minister has sought to reassure citizens that the government will examine the issue and protect the interests of Bengaluru’s green spaces.
Special session may bring the issue back
The possibility of renewed legislative discussion could provide an opportunity for the government and Opposition parties to debate the amendment in greater detail.
A report published on September 2 said Shivakumar was considering a special legislative session, even though the monsoon session ended abruptly the previous week.
For citizens and environmental groups opposing the amendment, a fresh debate could provide an opportunity to place their concerns before lawmakers. For the government, it could offer a chance to clarify how the 5% provision would be implemented and what safeguards would be put in place to prevent indiscriminate diversion of green spaces.
The controversy has highlighted a larger challenge facing Bengaluru — balancing the need for modern infrastructure with the protection of parks, gardens and other environmentally important public spaces.
As the government prepares to revisit the legislation, attention will now turn to the Assembly and the safeguards that may be proposed. The coming discussions are likely to determine whether the 5% provision remains unchanged, is modified or faces further reconsideration.