Bengalurueans, it may be time to hunt for different locations for your photo shoots as the Department of Horticulture has imposed a ban on photo shoots in Lalbagh and Cubbon Park.
The ban has been imposed due to safety concerns. Both locations are tourist attractions and are also used by photographers for photo shoots.
Professional photographers use cameras with high-intensity flashlights. “While shooting photographs, flash from the cameras hit the bee’s eyes. They go berserk and harm visitors in the park. Some visitors have been injured due to the same. Biologists fear safety issues since babies are also brought to the park. They advised the Department of Horticulture to impose the ban to ensure the safety of people,” M Jagdish, Joint Director of Horticulture told TNM.
However, regular visitors are permitted to click photographs using mobile and other cameras that have low-intensity flashlights.
“The horticultural authorities want to preserve the parks for its flora and fauna. We are strict with the ban in Lalbagh. There are lesser restrictions imposed in Cubbon Park since concerns are few. This will change if we receive more complaints from the park,” Jagdish added.
Professional photographers are opposed to the ban and have appealed to the Department of Horticulture.
“Some of us (photographers) have begun social media campaigns to lift the ban. We received minimal responses from photographers and people and are now using alternative ways. The future photo shoots will be done in resorts instead of gardens,” said Siddeshwar, the founder of Sid Photo.
“Photo shoots do not disturb visitors much as per my experience. It would have been better if the ban had not been imposed. Lalbagh and Cubbon Park are prime locations in the city and a photo shoot in these locations is memorable. Since we cannot challenge the order, we are looking for alternatives. Resorts will replace gardens as locations now,” said Varun Giridhara, the owner of Neeta Shankar Photography.
Preservation of natural beauty of the gardens, however, is a concern for photographers like Manavi Gandotra, the founder of One Plus One Studio. “The sanctity of gardens should be maintained. These should be protected. Photography can be permitted if it does not disturb visitors,” Gandotra said.