Bengaluru's Cubbon Park puts restrictions on food items, visitors are unhappy

Bengaluru: Bengaluru's famous Cubbon Park, which is a prime hangout point in the heart of the city, is planning to ban eatables within the park. The authorities have instructed security guards to ensure that no food items from hotels and shops are taken inside the park. The decision was taken after littering by the visitors resulted in an increase in the number of rodents and snakes in the park. However, park officials may allow food in non-disposable packages.

"Our issue is with those who carry disposable parcels inside the park and dump leftovers however they like. Hotel and restaurant food is strictly not allowed, but we are fine with visitors bringing well-packed lunch boxes from home and using the park as a place to have their meal," deputy director of the Cubbon Park HT Balakrishna told reporters.

Located near the Karnataka Assembly and the High Court, Cubbon Park witnesses high footfall every day. Along with office goers in the locality, tourists also visit the landmark park. The rule has already been in place and the authorities are now enforcing it more strictly, the officials said.

According to the park management, they are facing a severe rodent menace. Only a few people throw food waste in dustbins and the majority dump it on park premises. The waste invites rodents, which also destroy the lawn. More rodent population brings in more snakes, the park authorities point out.

However, the visitors are not happy with the rule. While agreeing that the public must ensure the food waste is properly disposed of in dustbins, they say that a blanket ban on eatables inside the green space goes against the very spirit of the park. They point out that the majority of visitors who reach the park to take a break from their jobs are not in a position to bring food from their homes. They hope that the authorities will consider their request and review the order.