Bengaluru: Bengaluru South MP Tejaswi Surya has strongly opposed the state government’s decision to allow public park land to be used for purposes such as sale, lease, gift, exchange or mortgage.
In a series of posts on X, Surya said, “Green parks are not for sale; they are our right,” and urged the government not to allow Bengaluru’s green spaces to be exploited for real estate interests.
He raised concerns over the proposal to permit up to 5% of public park land to be used for other purposes. “Today they say 5%, tomorrow 10%? Then the entire park?” he asked, warning that once green spaces are converted into concrete structures, restoring them would be extremely difficult.
‘Set aside political differences, protect green spaces’
Surya appealed to MLAs, MPs, Rajya Sabha members and ministers across party lines to oppose the move, saying Bengaluru’s air, water, environment and future should take precedence over political differences.
“Governments and power can change. But once a park is gone, it cannot be brought back,” he said.
ಹಸಿರು ಉದ್ಯಾನವನಗಳು ಮಾರಾಟಕ್ಕಿಲ್ಲ, ಅವು ನಮ್ಮ ಹಕ್ಕು, ರಿಯಲ್ ಎಸ್ಟೇಟ್ ದಂಧೆಗೆ ಬಲಿಯಾಗಲು ಬಿಡುವ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಯೇ ಇಲ್ಲ.
ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ವಕ್ರದೃಷ್ಟಿ ಉದ್ಯಾನವನಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಬಿದ್ದಿದೆ. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಲ್ಲು ಹಾಕಲು ಯಾವುದೇ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕೂ ಅವಕಾಶ ನೀಡಬಾರದು.
ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಉದ್ಯಾನವನಗಳ ಜಾಗವನ್ನು ಇತರೆ ಉದ್ದೇಶಗಳಿಗೆ… pic.twitter.com/xXUcvNOvnL
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) August 23, 2026
He also urged the government to consider concerns raised by retired Forest Department secretary Yallappa Reddy, who has worked extensively on Karnataka’s forests, parks and soil conservation.
When Shri Yellappa Reddy sir, a 90 year old who has dedicated his entire life to protecting Karnataka’s forests, parks and soil, and who has served as Secretary of the Department of Forests, Ecology and Environment, speaks out, we must listen.
I sincerely hope the administration… pic.twitter.com/CPUmEXh4y6
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) August 23, 2026
Surya said protecting Bengaluru’s green spaces was a collective responsibility of elected representatives and citizens, and stressed the need to preserve the city’s environmental legacy for future generations.