Karnataka Cabinet Approves Bill to Use Up to 5% of Park Land for Public Projects

The cabinet of Karnataka approved a legislative proposal that permits the conversion of up to five per cent of land currently earmarked as public parks for use in government projects such as schools, hospitals and other civic facilities. The measure seeks to address the acute shortage of urban land for essential infrastructure as the state’s population and development pressures continue to rise. The decision was taken after a cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, and the bill is slated to be introduced in the state legislature for further debate and approval. Officials said the amendment will be applied only after strict compliance with environmental safeguards and will not affect the overall green cover of the state.