Not 5%, not even an inch: Bengaluru citizens demand rollback of amendment to alienate park land
Citizens and civil society groups in Bengaluru are protesting a government amendment that allows up to 5% of public park land to be used for infrastructure projects. Activists argue that the city's shrinking green cover is essential for environmental health and have demanded a full rollback of the legislation.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing conflict between rapid urban infrastructure development and the preservation of public green spaces in major Indian cities.
The opposition to Karnataka’s move to allow the alienation of up to 5% of park for public infrastructure projects brought together more than 200 citizens, resident associations and civil society groups at Lalbagh on Thursday (August 27, 2026), who have requested Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to roll back the amendment.
Under the banner “Not 5%, Not one inch. Leave our parks alone”, the coalition said Bengaluru, which is already grappling with shrinking green cover, rising temperatures and uneven access to public parks, could not afford to lose even a portion of its existing green spaces.
As part of the resistance, a human chain was formed around Lalbagh Rock to demonstrate that Bengaluru’s green spaces are public assets that must be protected. The group has also submitted a letter to the Chief Minister opposing the Bill.
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