No more glam: Bengaluru iconic Lalbagh Botanical Garden may bar photo shoots, reels; officials cite ecological damage, public discomfort | Bengaluru News

BENGALURU: Close on the heels of the state govt’s decision to ban film and wedding shoots at Cubbon Park, Bengaluru’s iconic Lalbagh Botanical Garden is also considering similar restrictions.The department of horticulture is in the final stages of preparing a proposal to ban all types of photo and video shoots – including pre- and post-wedding shoots, baby and modelling portfolios, Instagram reels, and commercial filming – inside Lalbagh.Officials, however, have clarified that the aim is not to restrict public enjoyment, but to strike a balance between public access and ecological preservation.Official: There’re concerns about near-obscene poses in public tooLalbagh is not just a park — it’s a living, breathing biodiversity zone. It must be protected,” a senior horticulture official said.M Jagadish, joint director (parks and gardens), horticulture department, said: “We are working on a formal proposal based on the expert committee’s recommendations. The same protectionist approach adopted for Cubbon Park is being extended to Lalbagh.”An expert committee headed by former IFS officer and ecologist AN Yellappa Reddy has been formed to recommend rules.Loud noise, use of artificial lighting, often seen during weddings or modelling shoots, can disturb bees and nesting birds. “There were instances where people were stung by bees after flashlights disturbed nearby hives,” he said.There are also concerns over near-obscene poses or costume changes in public. The official said: “That can be uncomfortable for other visitors, especially children and senior citizens. In some cases, photographers and couples were seen climbing trees or standing on flowerbeds to explore better photo and video angles, damaging plants and trees.”