The Karnataka government is planning to build three more Lalbagh-like gardens in Bengaluru, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced after inaugurating the 220th Lalbagh Flower Show on Thursday (August 6).

The Chief Minister said these parks will come up on defence and forest lands in the city, adding that the government had already initiated the process to fetch permission to use these lands.

“We intend to build one such park on defence land in Bengaluru. The land will remain under the ownership of the Defence Ministry, but we need permission to build the park there. I have written a letter in this regard and will meet the Union Defence Minister soon. The Prime Minister has previously given permission to build a park on defence land in Varanasi. Two similar parks will come up on forest land in the city. I have already held discussions with Forest Department officials,” he said.

He further stated that the responsibility to develop these parks will be assigned to Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), and the Horticulture Department. “We are committed to protecting the city’s greenery and improving public life during our tenure,” he said.

The erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had mooted the idea of setting up parks like Lalbagh and Cubbon Park in the city’s outer zones, where there are not enough green spaces. However, the idea never took off. The Horticulture Department had proposed to build a Lalbagh-like garden in Jarakbande Kaval Reserve Forest area, next to the upcoming Dr. K. Shivarama Karanth Layout, but it was put on the back-burner due to opposition from green activists and locals.

Farmers’ programme

The Chief Minister also said that he would announce a new programme, a collaborative effort of farmers and the government, to increase greenery in the state and support the livelihood of farmers, on Independence Day, August 15.

Glory of the Ganga Dynasty

This year, the Department of Horticulture has organised the flower show under the theme, ‘Glory of the Ganga Dynasty’. The show opened on Thursday (August 6) and will be on till August 17, for 12 days.

“This flower show has been designed around the history of farmers and agriculturalists during the Ganga dynasty. The lakes built by the Gangas exist even today and have protected us in tough times. The history of the Gangas represents equality, farmers’ lives, and struggle. This is a celebration of our culture, farming life, and art,” Mr. Shivakumar said.

Published - August 06, 2026 06:53 pm IST