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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Tejasvi Surya on Saturday opposed the Karnataka Cabinet's reported decision to amend the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, alleging that the move could allow diversion of up to 5 per cent of park land for public infrastructure and utility projects.
In a post on X, Surya urged Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to reconsider the amendment, asserting that parks are vital public, ecological and intergenerational assets and should not be treated as real estate. https://x.com/Tejasvi_Surya/status/2091174324556415142 "Hon'ble CM Shri DK Shivakumar sir, the Cabinet's decision to amend the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, reportedly allowing the diversion of up to 5% of park land, is deeply concerning," Surya said. "Parks are not real-estate assets. They are vital public, ecological and intergenerational assets that must be protected," he said. Surya said iconic green spaces such as Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, along with thousands of other parks across Karnataka, must remain protected and should not be opened up for commercial or real estate projects. "Lalbagh, Cubbon Park and thousands of other parks must remain protected - not opened up for commercial or real estate projects," Surya said. The BJP leader alleged that the proposed amendment was aimed at facilitating projects such as the Tunnel Road by circumventing proceedings before the Karnataka High Court. "This move is clearly designed to facilitate projects such as the Tunnel Road by circumventing the proceedings before the Hon'ble High Court," he said. Surya urged the state government to reconsider the amendment and ensure that no park land is diverted without strict safeguards, environmental assessment and meaningful public consultation. "I urge you to reconsider this amendment and ensure that no park land is diverted without strict safeguards, environmental assessment and meaningful public consultation," he said. He further stressed that green spaces should be preserved for the people of Karnataka and future generations. "Our green spaces are not meant to be traded, transferred or sacrificed. They belong to the people of Karnataka and to future generations," he added. Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra also criticised the Congress-led state government over its proposed amendment to the Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, alleging that the move would lead to the "plunder" of public parks and benefit real estate interests. In a post on X, Vijayendra accused the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led government of attempting to allow the sale, exchange, gifting or mortgaging of around 5 per cent of parkland across the state, including Bengaluru. https://x.com/BYVijayendra/status/2091053937378177251 He alleged that the amendment was an attempt to misuse public resources and said the BJP would oppose the proposed legislation, citing concerns over environmental protection and public welfare. "The government has devised a systematic conspiracy to take over government parks reserved for environmental protection, public health safeguards and other public uses," Vijayendra said. The BJP leader also alleged that the Congress government had earlier reduced lake buffer zones in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka to protect real estate interests. The Karnataka Cabinet had approved a Bill to amend the Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, allowing portions of park and garden land to be used for public infrastructure and utility projects, a move opposed by the BJP on environmental grounds. (ANI)
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