Move to damage Lalbagh

Lalbagh may play host to events, meets

Deccan Herald

The Horticulture Department will shortly submit a proposal to the government, suggesting the kind of events that could be allowed to be held inside the famous Lalbagh Botanical Gardens.

Speaking to Deccan Herald on Monday, Horticulture Director G K Vasanth Kumar said details regarding the criteria that need to be followed before granting permission to the organisers — guidelines like the number of people to be allowed to participate during a programme and the security measures — will be included in the proposal.

“Educational programmes, musical concerts conducted on a small scale or interviews of eminent personalities with Lalbagh as the backdrop would be some of the suggestions. But, rock-shows and public events will be a strict no-no,” said Mr Kumar.

However, he was quick to add that the proposal would be submitted only after discussing the matter with Horticulture Minister R Srinivas and the Horticulture secretary.

The decision of submitting the proposal comes in the wake of the news channel, Star-TV, being granted permission to telecast a live programme at Lalbagh recently.
Asked whether the security of the flora and fauna would be placed at risk, Mr Kumar said that necessary security arrangements, like posting four to five security guards near the venue of the programme would be adopted.