Why Bangaloreans are opposing construction in treasured Cubbon Park

On Sunday, under the Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association banner, hundreds gathered in Bengaluru’s largest green space, Cubbon Park. A movement has been brewing in the city, both on social media and on the ground, after the Karnataka High Court granted permission to build a seven-storeyed annex building of the Karnataka High Court inside Cubbon Park. Apart from ‘Cubbon Park Ulisi’ (save Cubbon Park), Sunday’s protest which was attended by close to 500 citizens from all parts of the city and all walks of life, also echoed ‘Heritage Beku’ (we want heritage) slogans. Holding placards, joggers, walkers, cyclists, environmentalists, historians, students and members of various resident welfare associations sought to impress upon the Karnataka HC the peril of a new construction inside the iconic Cubbon Park.

What did the Karnataka HC permit?

In 2014, the Registrar of Karnataka High Court, Rajendra Badamikar, had sought the HC’s permission to build an annex building to the adjoining HC complex, by razing the old Election Commissioner’s Office. The new construction would also require cutting down 17 trees in Cubbon Park. In September 2019, the Public Works Department of Karnataka government allowed the proposed construction with an alteration to the original plan that would not require chopping down of 17 trees but instead build the 7-storey structure. But it would still require demolition of old Election Commissioner’s Office which is a pre-19th-century heritage structure which was an abandoned Karnataka Government Insurance Department (KGID) office.  On October 17th, Justice P S Dinesh Kumar pronounced verdict stating that the HC could proceed with the construction without cutting any trees in the park. 

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Ban on new construction already in existence 

Section (4) of the Karnataka Government Park (Preservation) Act, 1975, prohibits construction inside parks in the state that is under the custody of the state government. While there have been some exceptions made to this over the years, in 2001, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court had categorically banned construction inside Cubbon Park. However, it did include a stipulation, that with the HC’s permission, new construction projects can be taken up in the future. 

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What are the objections of the protestors?

While the HC has ruled that the proposed 17 trees cannot be cut, the construction of the 7-storeyed, 80-feet, 4924 sq m structure, with two basements can still cause an imbalance in the precarious ecosystem of Cubbon Park.  The original area of Cubbon Park was 300 acres but over decades, encroachment and construction have reduced it to 160 acres. The construction of the 7-storeyed annex, environmentalists argue, will bring with it an onslaught on the park’s ecology. Hordes of vehicles and machines which will be involved in the construction will cause pollution inside the park and place the flora and fauna at risk. 

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Cubbon Park is part of Bangalore’s soul

The issue is also an emotive one for many Bangaloreans who say that the park is a part of the city’s personality. Rajkumar Dugar, a civic activist says, "How can it tell its story when its character is facing all kinds of assaults?” Dugar asked. “Cubbon Park is a part of the city, a part of us. From when it was Mead Park, it has transitioned into Cubbon Park, it has been the soul of the city. The skyline of Cubbon Park must never be changed but unfortunately, this new construction will do just that. And it will also set a wrong example for the future."

Cubbon Park is our commons, a place of collective city memory - and our own. It’s who we are. Today onwards,  can we share our favourite pictures of Cubbon Park on our timelines and social media? Tag the younger generation. Who knows what’s left for them wrote Priya Chetty Rajagopal, Member of Heritage Beku. On November 10th, a massive human chain is being planned by various groups to urge the HC to reconsider their decision and also demand the horticulture department of the Karnataka government to appeal against the verdict.

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