Mysuru: The city, which is known for its heritage parks, has joined the growing opposition to the amendment to the Government Parks (Preservation) Act, 1975, which allows portions of park and garden land to be used for public infrastructure and utility projects.Several organisations have joined hands to hold a protest at the iconic Cheluvamba Park on Sunday (Aug 30) from 8am. Meanwhile, activists have urged governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot not to give his assent to the Bill. In a letter to the governor, Mysuru Grahakara Parishat founding working president Bhamy V Shenoy and working president SK Dinesh said the earlier provision allowing up to 5% of park land was meant only for park maintenance.“Unfortunately, the new Bill is like opening the floodgates to potentially destroy parks. This is not an exaggeration, but based on our 37 years of experience in protecting the parks of Mysuru,” they said.They warned that the amendment could eventually lead to the closure of parks. Recalling past instances, they said MCC had constructed a building in Cheluvamba Park in the early 1990s, initially claiming it was a guest house and later an office. A PIL filed under Parks Act resulted in its demolition, with only a portion retained for a toilet.They also recalled how alleged irregularities in a contract to construct a library at People’s Park were exposed, helping prevent further encroachment on one of Mysuru’s largest parks. “Even with the highly restricted provision allowing five per cent land use, vested interests tried to misuse the park space in several parts of the city. If this bill becomes a law, it will allow such encroachments legally,” they warned.Meanwhile, Parisarakkagi Navu organisation president and former MLA AT Ramaswamy also urged the governor to return the bill. “Urban areas across the state are witnessing the rapid destruction of their lung spaces. This Bill will only regularise such destruction,” he warned.
