Bengaluru’s Lalbagh; a 240-acre heritage garden; could lose up to 7 acres for a 17-km tunnel road. And it’s not just about trees. The Karnataka government just approved a legal change allowing up to 5% of any protected park to be used for infrastructure; with a committee’s ‘okay’. But here’s the catch: that ‘committee’ isn’t elected, and the decision could set a precedent for cities nationwide. If a park as historic as Lalbagh can be carved up, what’s next? The opposition is already calling it a betrayal; and they might be right. Because once you open the door to slicing green lungs for roads, it’s harder to shut it. This isn’t just about a tunnel or traffic; it’s about what we’re willing to sacrifice for ‘development’.