Forest Dept. introduces entry fee to Lingambudhi Lake Park; Walkers up in arms

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Walkers of Lingambudhi Lake Park submitting a memorandum to Forest officials on Thursday demanding the withdrawal of the proposed entry fee to the park. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Forest Department’s decision to introduce an entry fee for Lingambudhi Lake Park has riled walkers, who have called for a massive demonstration outside the lake on Sunday.

The walkers, under the Lingambudhi Park Walkers’ Committee, carried out a signature campaign on Wednesday and submitted a memorandum to Assistant Range Forest Officer Pramod on Thursday, urging the department to withdraw its proposal.

Lingambudhi Lake, one of the largest in the city, has a major portion under water, while the surrounding area has been declared a reserve forest. A note pasted outside the park by the department said about 80 acres of forest land around the lake had been developed as a park, maintained so far using departmental funds. Citing a government order permitting entry fees at forest parks, and a shortage of funds, the note said maintaining the park had become difficult.

An entry fee of ₹10 per day and ₹250 for a monthly pass has been fixed for the general public (₹200 for senior citizens), and ₹5 per day and ₹100 monthly for children, effective September 1, 2026.

In a joint statement, the Walkers’ Committee, Lingambudhi Mithrara Balaga, and the Mysuru district unit of the All India Democratic Youth Organisation (AIDYO) said hundreds of walkers had signed the memorandum opposing the levy.

“We are all living in a democratic system in which various public services are provided largely through taxes paid by the people. Parks and lakes are also public assets, and their maintenance is the responsibility of the government,” the statement said, adding that residents already pay a park’s maintenance tax with their property tax. “Is imposing another fee on everyone, including senior citizens and children, not daylight robbery?” it asked, demanding the department immediately withdraw the proposal.

Pramod, who visited the lake on Thursday and received the memorandum, told the walkers that the department collects entry fees at all parks it maintains and had decided to extend this to Lingambudhi Park. However, in view of the opposition, he said he would take up the matter with the Range Forest Officer and convey the department’s decision on withdrawal, the committee said.

Committee members warned they would not call off their agitation unless the existing order was rescinded and the department issued a written order officially withdrawing the fee.

The three organisations have appealed to walkers and citizens to join the demonstration outside the lake in large numbers.

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