Direct BDA to protect open spaces, High Court urged

Direct BDA to protect open spaces, High Court urged

The Hindu

Astronaut Rakesh Sharma is among 40 petitioners from Koramangala in Bangalore city

BANGALORE: The first and only Indian astronaut so far to have orbited the space has petitioned the Karnataka High Court for preserving open lung spaces in Bangalore city.

The petitioner, Rakesh Sharma, said he was the president of Citizen's Action Group, Bangalore, and that he had filed the public interest litigation (PIL) petition along with 39 residents of Koramangala seeking a direction to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) to preserve and protect open lung spaces in the city.

The petitioners said despite a Supreme Court direction, they feared that the BDA would convert land in Survey Nos 30, 31 and 32 in Koramangala into sites.

They said the area in the survey numbers measured 6.21 acres and they were to be preserved as open lung spaces. The land was part of the original Jakkasandra Tank.

They said the recent floods in Bangalore had highlighted the degradation of the natural eco system and the need to preserve and protect lakes, open spaces, parks and playgrounds.

Open lung spaces, parks and playgrounds in Bangalore and in Koramangala had been steadily disappearing and this had affected the health, environment and quality of life of the residents.

The petitioners sought a direction to the BDA to preserve the existing open lung spaces, parks and playgrounds in Koramangala. They also sought a direction against the allotment of the land to any person.

They wanted the BDA to furnish a report containing the details of the extent of green space, parks and playgrounds in all the layouts planned by it.

They said the area earmarked for playgrounds and parks had been steadily coming down over the years and the BDA's proposed Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) of 2015 had reduced the green cover in Koramangala.

When the advocate for the petitioners sought an interim direction to the BDA against the grant of the land to individuals, the Bench remarked that notice would deter the respondents from taking any such exercise.

It ordered issue of notice to the BDA and other respondents and adjourned hearing on the petition to December 15.