Bengaluru is grappling with a familiar question about public space accessibility as Lalbagh Botanical Garden implements sweeping new restrictions on everyday activities. The recent rules, which ban cycling, skating, group yoga, and picnics, have ignited fresh debate about whether India's tech capital provides enough open spaces for its residents to live their lives.
New Restrictions at Lalbagh Botanical Garden
A week after the horticulture department announced comprehensive new regulations, Lalbagh has transformed from a popular recreational spot to a highly regulated space. The government notification emphasizes that Lalbagh's primary role is conservation rather than recreation, marking a significant shift in how the historic garden will be used by the public.
The new rules prohibit numerous activities including cycling, skating, lawn games, food picnics, professional photoshoots, and group yoga sessions. Even walking is now restricted to specific time slots: from 5:30 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM. The only exceptions are activities related to ecological awareness, which require prior approval from authorities.
These restrictions mirror similar measures implemented at Cubbon Park in May 2025, indicating a broader trend of Bengaluru's major green spaces becoming more regulated and less accessible to the general public.
Conservation Versus Public Access Debate
The horticulture department defends the restrictions as essential for protecting what they describe as a fragile botanical institution. Officials maintain that Lalbagh serves primarily as a scientific space for conservation rather than a leisure park for recreational activities.
However, residents and urban experts argue that the approach is ecologically misguided. Environmentalist and urban planner Vinod Jacob contends that the rules effectively push everyday life out of public spaces and into private, commercial areas. He emphasizes that walking, cycling, and other non-motorized activities don't harm biodiversity, suggesting that motor vehicles should face restrictions instead of harmless recreation.
Jacob highlights how earlier Bangalore Development Authority layouts in areas like Jayanagar and JP Nagar intentionally integrated parks and maidans into neighborhood planning. He notes that this thoughtful urban design approach has disappeared from contemporary city planning.
Impact on Bengaluru's Social Fabric
Urban planners warn that the restrictions will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. The urban poor, elderly citizens, and families without private amenities will feel the impact most deeply, as these public parks were originally meant to be inclusive spaces for all residents.
Urban planner Naresh V Narasimhan acknowledges that Lalbagh needs protection but argues that the current approach is too sweeping. He suggests that designated zones for low-impact activities would be more reasonable than complete bans on harmless activities like group yoga or tai chi. Narasimhan recommends focusing restrictions on actual misuse such as drinking, litter-heavy picnics, or disruptive professional shoots.
The larger issue, experts agree, extends beyond individual parks. Bengaluru hasn't added any major public spaces in decades despite its exploding population. While the city boasts over 800 neighborhood parks, most are small, fenced areas unsuitable for cycling, skating, community events, or cultural gatherings. Larger venues like Kanteerava Stadium, Freedom Park, and lake peripheries remain permission-heavy with inconsistent access policies.
As Jacob aptly summarizes, "Conservation shouldn't mean exclusion". The current situation underscores the urgent need for Bengaluru to rethink how it builds spaces for public life while protecting its botanical and heritage parks.
