Not 5%, not even an inch: Bengaluru citizens demand rollback of amendment to alienate park land
The coalition has demanded that the amendment be withdrawn and that existing parks and gardens be protected from diversion, conversion, fragmentation or construction for non-park and non-ecological uses.
More than 200 citizens, resident associations, and civil society groups gathered at Lalbagh in Bengaluru on Thursday (August 27, 2026) to protest the government's amendment to the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975. The coalition, under the banner "Not 5%, Not one inch. Leave our parks alone," demanded that Chief Minister D.K.
Shivakumar roll back the amendment, which allows up to 5% of park land to be alienated for public infrastructure projects. The groups argued that this move would further shrink Bengaluru's already shrinking green cover and exacerbate issues such as rising temperatures and uneven access to public parks. They formed a human chain around Lalbagh Rock to demonstrate their support for protecting the city's green spaces as public assets.
The coalition submitted a letter to the Chief Minister opposing the Bill, stating that the amendment goes against the very purpose of the parent legislation, which is to preserve parks. They emphasized that parks provide essential services such as climate regulation, rainwater management, biodiversity conservation, recreation, and social interaction, and that losing even a portion of these spaces would have detrimental effects on the city's climate resilience and overall wellbeing.
The groups also called for comprehensive environmental, social, health, and wellbeing assessments before any proposal affecting public green space is considered, and for transparent public consultation in such matters.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
