Pay please to say cheese!

The Lalbagh Botanical Garden is a green retreat not only for tourists but also the people residing here. Over the years, Lalbagh has changed a lot thanks to the modernisation of the City. Last month, a tender was issued and the ticketing to the entrance of the park was outsourced. 

The agency that brought the tender introduced a charge for digital cameras creating mixed feelings among visitors and photo-enthusiasts. Metrolife visited the park to find out more. 

“Parks like these shouldn’t really charge an individual for using the camera. Not everyone has the money to pay. How can they enforce such a rule? A camera can be used for something as simple as a family outing,” said Neha, a professional, who was in the park along with a friend.

Speaking on why this rule was introduced in the first place, one of the authorities who ensures that everyone using a camera has the ticket, said, “Be it amusement or entertainment parks, every park in town charges for photography. So even we want to collect a fee from those using the camera in the park. It’s not a bad thing.”

Titas Bose, a film-maker who was using a DSLR and strolling in the park with his friend, said, “It is not a bad thing to issue a ticket for photography. It just makes people more aware and use the camera in the right manner.”

Lalbagh remains one of the most favourite places for photographers from all over the world, especially during the Flower Show. So in one way, this rule is good because it would give them the time and space to click photos. 

“Lalbagh is the biggest park in the City and the best one for photography. One can shoot portraits, nature and sunset. It’s a big disadvantage for us and I don’t think everyone will be interested to pay and click photos,” said Rohan Bera from Organiser Frames Bangalore, a Bangalore-based photography club. 

The officials in Lalbagh said that this wasn’t a big change. There is no reason why this rule was introduced and what the authorities make of it is up to them. 

“Lalbagh has been a haven for up-and-coming photographers like me. It’s great to practise all kinds of photographic concepts. But now, since they are charging for camera, I feel like my passion is being breached,” said Amruth A Pillai, a student of Dayanand Sagar Institute of Technology.