Shobha Karandlaje urges Governor to block Karnataka Parks Bill over 5% land-use provision

Bengaluru: Union minister of state for Labour and MSME Shobha Karandlaje on Tuesday met Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot and urged him to withhold assent to the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by the state legislature.

In a letter to the Governor, Karandlaje described the legislation as “regressive and draconian”, arguing that it dilutes the protection provided to government parks and gardens under the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975. Karandlaje represents Bengaluru North in the Lok Sabha.

She objected particularly to a provision allowing the state government, on the recommendation of a high-level committee, to alienate or permit the use of up to 5% of a park’s total area through sale, lease, gift, exchange, mortgage or other means.


Also read | SIR: CM Shivakumar writes to ECI, seeks more time to file claims to draft voter rolls

The provision covers departments of the state government, statutory authorities, government companies and local authorities. Karandlaje said the measure could turn an exception into a broader mechanism for diverting protected green spaces.

She also opposed the Bill’s provision treating the use of park land for “public infrastructure” or “public utility” projects as being in furtherance of public interest. She argued that such projects should be subjected to assessments of necessity, proportionality and environmental impact, besides consideration of alternative sites.

Karandlaje said the proposed high-level committee, to be headed by an officer not below the rank of Additional Chief Secretary, does not provide adequate statutory safeguards such as public consultation or independent environmental scrutiny.

Also read | Yogi Adityanath announces one lakh job appointments over next six months

Calling parks “indispensable ecological infrastructure”, she said they help protect biodiversity, mitigate urban heat, improve air quality and support groundwater recharge.

“The Government of Karnataka is a custodian of these green spaces,” Karandlaje said, urging Gehlot to subject the legislation to rigorous scrutiny and withhold assent in its present form.