New 153-acre lung space proposed for Bengaluru in the name of Basavanna
Eshwar Khandre | Photo Credit: photo file
More than 150 years after the last major lung space was created in Bengaluru, the State government on Friday approved the establishment of Vishwaguru Basavanna Biodiversity Park in North Bengaluru with seed funding of ₹ 50 crore.
The new lung area, on an area of 153 acres, currently includes acacia and eucalyptus plantations, which will be gradually replaced by medicinal herbs and native trees.
“The dream of having a large lung area in the northern part of Bengaluru is more than fifteen years old. Finally, the government has agreed to fund ₹ 50 crore in the first phase, while the overall project will cost around ₹ 250 crore. Many companies have also come forward to provide funds under CSR activities,” Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre told media persons after the Cabinet approved the project.
Previous lung cavities
While the first botanical garden, Lalbagh, was established in 1760 on an area of 240 acres, work on Cubbon Park, another large lung area, started in 1870 on an area of 194 acres.
Mr Khandre said the development of the new botanical garden would include the establishment of an arboreal park, a section for medicinal plants and an interpretation centre, which will have native trees that can attract birds, among others.
commuter rail
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved revised estimates of ₹ 16,876 crore for Corridors 2 and 4 in the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project.
According to Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil, the revised estimates will include ₹357 crore from the Center for land acquisition and ₹3,066 crore from the State for land acquisition and ₹2,135 crore for rolling stock.
The Cabinet approved, among others, the establishment of the Karnataka GST Analytical Portal and the Karnataka Jnana Bhandar Manuscripts and Digitization Bill at a cost of ₹19 crore.
“The new legislation will help map and digitize manuscripts, stone inscriptions and copperplate inscriptions that are currently in private possession,” Mr. Patil said.
It was published – 02 January 2026 23:08 IST
