'Obscene poses', flashlights and damaged plants: Why Bengaluru’s beloved Lalbagh may soon ban all photo shoots

Just days after the Karnataka government banned film and wedding shoots at Cubbon Park, Bengaluru’s famous Lalbagh Botanical Garden may soon follow suit.

The horticulture department is preparing a formal proposal to ban all kinds of photo and video shoots at Lalbagh. This includes pre- and post-wedding shoots, baby and modelling portfolios, Instagram reels, and commercial filming.

Officials have said that the move is not meant to stop people from enjoying the park, but to protect its natural environment and ensure that visitors use the space responsibly.


“Lalbagh is not just a park, it’s a living, breathing biodiversity zone. It must be protected,” said a senior horticulture official.

Concerns over behaviour and environment

Some officials have also raised concerns about people doing inappropriate poses or changing clothes in public, which can make other visitors, especially children and senior citizens, feel uncomfortable.

In some cases, people have climbed trees or stood on flowerbeds to get the best shot, damaging plants and trees.

There are also ecological concerns. Loud music and flash lighting, often used in shoots, can disturb birds and bees. One official noted that in the past, people have even been stung by bees after disturbing hives with camera flashes.

Proposal based on expert committee advice

The proposal is being drafted based on recommendations by an expert committee led by ecologist and former IFS officer A N Yellappa Reddy.

M Jagadish, joint director (parks and gardens) in the horticulture department, said, “We are working on a formal proposal based on the expert committee’s recommendations. The same protectionist approach adopted for Cubbon Park is being extended to Lalbagh.”

If approved, the ban will help ensure that Lalbagh remains a peaceful and protected green space for all.

Inputs from TOI