📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Election commission of India
Politics
Karnataka Govt to Drop 5% Park‑Space Mandate, Sparks Legislative Row
✍️ India Today
🗓 04 Sep 2026, 01:48 AM
👁 16
The Karnataka cabinet led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced it will withdraw the rule that required 5% of land to be earmarked for parks, prompting opposition criticism.
The Karnataka state cabinet, under Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, has moved to repeal the provision that mandated reserving five percent of any development project’s land for public parks. The decision was disclosed during a cabinet meeting and is set to be reflected in the pending Karnataka Parks Bill.
The original clause was introduced to ensure that rapid urbanisation and infrastructure growth would be balanced with green spaces, aiming to improve air quality and provide recreational areas for residents. It applied to both new residential schemes and commercial developments across the state.
Opposition legislators and several environmental NGOs have immediately condemned the withdrawal, arguing that it undermines Karnataka’s commitment to sustainable urban planning. They warned that eliminating the requirement could lead to further loss of green cover, especially in fast‑growing cities such as Bengaluru.
The government, however, contends that the provision had become a bottleneck for investors and slowed down critical infrastructure projects. Officials say the amendment will be debated in the state assembly in the coming weeks, with the final decision pending legislative approval.
The original clause was introduced to ensure that rapid urbanisation and infrastructure growth would be balanced with green spaces, aiming to improve air quality and provide recreational areas for residents. It applied to both new residential schemes and commercial developments across the state.
Opposition legislators and several environmental NGOs have immediately condemned the withdrawal, arguing that it undermines Karnataka’s commitment to sustainable urban planning. They warned that eliminating the requirement could lead to further loss of green cover, especially in fast‑growing cities such as Bengaluru.
The government, however, contends that the provision had become a bottleneck for investors and slowed down critical infrastructure projects. Officials say the amendment will be debated in the state assembly in the coming weeks, with the final decision pending legislative approval.