Lal Bagh flower show: Security gets serious as Govt builds self-image

The flower show this time is centred around the great poet of Karnataka, Kuvempu After two deaths in two years at Lal Bagh, the authorities have ensured stringent safety measures Using the opportunity, the government has put up displays on its populist schemes

After two deaths in two years at Lal Bagh, the authorities have ensured stringent safety measures to prevent any untoward incidents during the ongoing annual flower show. 

Indeed, in their zeal, they have gone so far as to cut branches off a cotton silk tree on which bees built their colonies to avoid any bee-related incidents. 

Speaking to Asianet Newsable, Deputy Director of Lal Bagh, Chandrashekhar confirmed that the back-to-back deaths due to a bee attack and the collapsing of a stone slab have triggered major changes. The department held a meeting with senior environmentalist Dr Yellappa Reddy and identified vulnerable spots and trees that could pose a danger to visitors.

"The trees on which wild honey bees build their colonies was disturbed. As a result, they have moved deep into the woods where the public is prohibited. To prevent accidental deaths we have installed 100 CCTVs to monitor public movement,"  said Chandrashekhar.

The flower show this time is centred around the great poet of Karnataka, Kuvempu and his Tirtha Halli house in Shivamogga.

"We used 3.5 lakh Dutch roses to build the replica of the poet's ancestral house.  Rs 1.4 lakh was spent for this year's flower show, and around 4 lakh visitors are expected for the event," said Chandrashekhar.

Using the opportunity, the government has put up a structure similar to Tipu Sultan's Summar Palace. The government's populist schemes like Ksheera Bhagya, Vasathi Bhagya, Krishi Bhagya and the Metro also get a mention.

"We came to see the annual flower show, but even this place is not spared from cheap publicity. What is the necessity to put a structure to announce government schemes? Instead, they could have grown a few more tree saplings, and that would have given the better image to the government," Hombe Gowda, a visitor said.

Highlights of the flower show:

• The public can enter the flower show from any of the four gates.
• The entry fee is priced at Rs. 60 on holidays for adults. On all other days, the entry fee is Rs 50 for adults.
• Entry fee for children on all holidays days is Rs 20.
• Tickets are available online as well.
• Entry of private vehicles has been banned into Lal Bagh.  
• School buses are allowed into the garden through the Double Road gate.