Karnataka Cabinet Withdraws Parks Amendment Bill After Public Outcry
Karnataka Cabinet withdraws the controversial Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, following widespread protests. It will be redrafted after public consultation.
The Karnataka Cabinet has decided to withdraw the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which had sparked intense opposition from environmental groups, civil society, and political parties.
The proposed legislation would have permitted the alienation of up to 5% of park and garden land for public infrastructure projects. Critics argued that the amendment was designed to facilitate the tunnel road project, which they claimed would take over an acre of land at the historic Lalbagh botanical garden in Bengaluru.
Thousands of citizens had gathered at Lalbagh on August 30 to protest the Bill. Following the mounting pressure, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar indicated on September 1 that the proposal could be reviewed.
The Cabinet's decision on Thursday (September 3) means the Bill will now be opened for public discussion before being reintroduced in the next legislature session. The Governor will be informed of the decision.
The Bill had originally been passed during the Monsoon Session without debate, amid protests by the Opposition demanding the resignation of B. Nagendra.
In a separate decision, the Cabinet announced a three-day special session of the Karnataka Legislature starting September 21. The session will focus on farmers' distress caused by severe drought, with detailed discussions planned on its impact. The Kasturirangan report on the Western Ghats will also be taken up for deliberation.