220th Lalbagh Flower Show Inaugurated; Three New Parks Planned For Bengaluru

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday inaugurated the 220th Flower Show at Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bengaluru and announced plans to develop three new parks across the city to expand green spaces and provide more recreational areas for residents. The flower show, organised as part of Independence Day celebrations, is themed around the “Glory of the Ganga Empire”.

Addressing the media after the inauguration, Shivakumar said the state government is exploring the development of parks similar to Lalbagh in different parts of Bengaluru. He said one of the proposed parks could come up on Defence Ministry land, for which the state government has already approached the Centre seeking permission.

The Chief Minister said the Defence land would continue to remain under the ownership of the Defence Department, while the state government has requested approval to develop it as a public park. He added that he would soon meet the Defence Minister regarding the proposal and pointed out that a similar arrangement was earlier approved for a park project on Defence land in Varanasi.

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Shivakumar also revealed plans to establish another large park on forest land within Bengaluru after discussions with Forest Department officials. He said agencies including the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Horticulture Department and other government bodies could be involved in implementing the projects aimed at protecting the city’s greenery.

Highlighting the importance of Lalbagh, the Chief Minister described it as more than just a botanical garden, calling it a symbol of Karnataka’s history, culture and agricultural heritage. He said this year’s flower show showcases the legacy of the Ganga Empire through floral displays, highlighting farming traditions, ancient water management systems and the contributions of farmers.

The 10-day flower show features displays representing the history and cultural achievements of the Ganga Empire, and Shivakumar invited citizens, including youth, women, senior citizens and families, to visit the exhibition. He also announced that the government will introduce a farmer-government partnership programme on August 15 to increase green cover and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

Responding to questions about reports of internal differences within the Congress party following the Cabinet expansion, Shivakumar dismissed speculation of disagreements. He said the party remains united and acknowledged the aspirations of legislators while emphasising the need for collective efforts to continue governance.

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