Night programmes unlikely in Cubbon Park

The Tourism Department’s plan of conducting night programmes at Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Botanical Garden is unlikely to take off following strong opposition not just from walkers but also within the Horticulture Department which is responsible for the upkeep of the city’s two major lung spaces. The proposal entails conducting recreational activities between 7 pm and midnight once or twice a month.

If sources in the Horticulture Department are to be believed, the higher authorities have put the proposal on hold. It can be approved only when the government-appointed Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Advisory Committee, the Suvarna Karnataka Udyanavanagala Pratishtana and the Horticulture Minister, S S Mallikarjun, give the go-ahead.

“Both the public gardens are exposed to high levels of pollution. Cubbon Park is especially at risk because vehicles are let in it on weekdays. We fear any night activity will only escalate the damage,” an official in the Horticulture Department said on condition of anonymity.

The Cubbon Park and Lalbagh Advisory Committee, headed by environmentalist A N Yellappa Reddy, has already opposed the proposal, as reported by DH. When Reddy himself is against the proposal, it is likely to be dropped, another official said.

S Umesh, president, Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association, said the department must drop the plan and instead focus on improving the security, maintenance and development programmes in the park.

Tourism Minister Priyank Kharge said it was “disheartening” that walkers and some others were opposing the project without having full knowledge of it. “What do they know about the proposal? As a responsible minister, I will not do anything that will hamper the environment. For now, there is no action plan. We will hold meetings with the stakeholders if and when we decide to implement the proposal.”

Vehicle entry timing
The entry of vehicles in Cubbon Park is likely to be reduced to 12 hours. At present, vehicles can enter the park between 8 am and 10 pm, Monday through Saturday. The timing could be changed to 9 am to 9 pm, said Mahantesh Murgod, Deputy Director (Cubbon Park).