Bengaluru is severely short of Park Space. We need MORE, not less
The Issue
- The UN and organizations like UN-Habitat targets Green space per person ranging from 12 m² to 30 m².
- Modern international planning emphasizes spatial equity and walkability, prescribing that all residents should live within a 300-meter linear distance (or a 5-minute walk) of a public green space.
- In India, urban park and green space norms are primarily governed by Guidelines published in 2014 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The national benchmark dictates a per capita distribution of 10 to 12 square meters of open space per person in urban areas.
- Rather than focusing solely on per capita metrics, Government of India assesses urban green health using total land-use distribution: 12% to 18% of a city’s total developed land area should be designated for recreational green spaces and parks.
Bengaluru's GBA covers an area of about 200,000 Acres. At 15%, Bengaluru needs AT LEAST 30,000 Acres of Green Spaces & Parks.
As per the (erstwhile) BBMP Parks Monitoring System, there are about 1300 registered Parks across its various urban zones, totalling ONLY about 1000 Acres. Cubbon Park and Lalbagh will add another 500 Acres. Let's say totally we have about 3000 Acres. So, Bengaluru needs at least 10 TIMES its presently available acreage of Parks.
In other words, we need many many more Lalbaghs and Cubbon Parks, spread all across and around the City.
Today's Gen Z, Women and Seniors do not find space for physical activity, to play, to relax, to enjoy since Parks are few and far apart or too small.
In the light of the above, the decision of Cabinet, Government of Karnataka, on 21st August 2026, to amend The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act 1975, to take away up to 5% of any Park for Infrastructure Projects, is indeed highly unfortunate and in fact, unacceptable, since this decision will adversely impact the Quality of Life of over 2 Crore people living in and around Bengaluru.
Snatching away Park land for Infra projects will raise too many questions and challenges. How many trees will need to be cut? How many Crores will be spent to redesign the Parks and their Boundaries after taking away 5% from them? How will taking away 5% of Parks for Infra projects affect air and noise pollution as well as the ecology, birds and animals? Also, will Government of Karnataka agree to take away 5% land from Infra projects and provide that for Parks?
Apart from tranquility and recreation, Parks are needed to curb the rising air and noise pollution in the City. The importance of Greenery is universally known and accepted. Climate Change is happening ONLY on account of such decisions where Greenery is COMPROMISED for "Development".
As concerned citizens of Namma Bengaluru, we earnestly appeal to Government of Karnataka, along with the 28 MLAs and 5 MPs of the City to kindly review and reverse this decision in larger public interest, on high priority. Implementing this decision will create more problems than solve.
It is high time we keep ADDING to Bengaluru's greenery while NOT letting even an inch of Parks to be compromised.
6,738
The Issue
- The UN and organizations like UN-Habitat targets Green space per person ranging from 12 m² to 30 m².
- Modern international planning emphasizes spatial equity and walkability, prescribing that all residents should live within a 300-meter linear distance (or a 5-minute walk) of a public green space.
- In India, urban park and green space norms are primarily governed by Guidelines published in 2014 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The national benchmark dictates a per capita distribution of 10 to 12 square meters of open space per person in urban areas.
- Rather than focusing solely on per capita metrics, Government of India assesses urban green health using total land-use distribution: 12% to 18% of a city’s total developed land area should be designated for recreational green spaces and parks.
Bengaluru's GBA covers an area of about 200,000 Acres. At 15%, Bengaluru needs AT LEAST 30,000 Acres of Green Spaces & Parks.
As per the (erstwhile) BBMP Parks Monitoring System, there are about 1300 registered Parks across its various urban zones, totalling ONLY about 1000 Acres. Cubbon Park and Lalbagh will add another 500 Acres. Let's say totally we have about 3000 Acres. So, Bengaluru needs at least 10 TIMES its presently available acreage of Parks.
In other words, we need many many more Lalbaghs and Cubbon Parks, spread all across and around the City.
Today's Gen Z, Women and Seniors do not find space for physical activity, to play, to relax, to enjoy since Parks are few and far apart or too small.
In the light of the above, the decision of Cabinet, Government of Karnataka, on 21st August 2026, to amend The Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act 1975, to take away up to 5% of any Park for Infrastructure Projects, is indeed highly unfortunate and in fact, unacceptable, since this decision will adversely impact the Quality of Life of over 2 Crore people living in and around Bengaluru.
Snatching away Park land for Infra projects will raise too many questions and challenges. How many trees will need to be cut? How many Crores will be spent to redesign the Parks and their Boundaries after taking away 5% from them? How will taking away 5% of Parks for Infra projects affect air and noise pollution as well as the ecology, birds and animals? Also, will Government of Karnataka agree to take away 5% land from Infra projects and provide that for Parks?
Apart from tranquility and recreation, Parks are needed to curb the rising air and noise pollution in the City. The importance of Greenery is universally known and accepted. Climate Change is happening ONLY on account of such decisions where Greenery is COMPROMISED for "Development".
As concerned citizens of Namma Bengaluru, we earnestly appeal to Government of Karnataka, along with the 28 MLAs and 5 MPs of the City to kindly review and reverse this decision in larger public interest, on high priority. Implementing this decision will create more problems than solve.
It is high time we keep ADDING to Bengaluru's greenery while NOT letting even an inch of Parks to be compromised.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 23 August 2026