Latest news with #MJagadish


Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Lalbagh stray dogs to get calming shots ahead of I-Day flower show
Bengaluru: In response to recent dog bite incidents inside Lalbagh, the horticulture department has initiated measures to control the stray canines in the botanical garden. With the popular Independence Day flower show set to begin Thursday, officials have started administering anti-aggression injections to the dogs found on the premises. In addition, all stray dogs in the garden are being vaccinated against rabies. The horticulture department's technical committee, led by environmentalist AN Yellappa Reddy, recently raised concerns over stray dogs in Lalbagh following an attack on a morning walker. Senior officials told TOI that there are about 175-200 stray dogs inside Lalbagh. "They are fed only once during the night, and during the day, they sneak out in search of food. While not all stray dogs are problematic, about 20-25% of them have been identified as aggressive," explained a senior horticulture official. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The technical committee, along with BBMP's health and veterinary officials, resolved to put in place five-point measures to manage the stray population and put an end to the biting incidents on its premises. "We decided to identify aggressive stray dogs inside the garden and administer them with anti-aggression injections with the help of veterinarians during the flower show to calm down their aggressive behaviour," explained M Jagadish, joint director of horticulture (parks and gardens). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Besides, the committee was briefed by the veterinarians that all rabies vaccines have a time limit for their effectiveness. "Every time we vaccinate strays, the effectiveness lasts only for three years. Hence, we decided to vaccinate all of them ahead of the flower show. The veterinarians also recommended sterilisation of all male dogs. Further, a public awareness campaign will also be held to educate walkers, joggers, and visitors on stray behaviour, including enforcing a ban on their feeding of the canines inside Lalbagh," Jagadish revealed. The department has planned to install billboards in various parts of Lalbagh, highlighting dos and don'ts for visitors on their interaction with the stray population. "Some of the suggestions include not teasing or disturbing the strays, and a complete ban on feeding them other than during permitted feeding hours. This will also be communicated to the visitors and discussed with the walkers and joggers' groups," another official explained. However, independent veterinarians are sceptical about the decision of the horticulture department, especially about administering anti-aggression injections. Dr Sumanth M Bedre, a veterinarian from Mysuru, said there is no drug known as anti-aggressive. "The aggression manifests out of multiple factors, including hormonal imbalance. The best method to control the aggressive strays is to sterilise them. It all depends on what type of drug they want to administer, as most of these drugs act as sedatives. The aggression of dogs is part of their behaviour, and experts in dog behaviour can work on it and suggest suitable interventions," he expressed. -By Miya Kennedy


Time of India
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Obscene poses', flashlights and damaged plants: Why Bengaluru's beloved Lalbagh may soon ban all photo shoots
Just days after the Karnataka government banned film and wedding shoots at Cubbon Park, Bengaluru's famous Lalbagh Botanical Garden may soon follow suit. The horticulture department is preparing a formal proposal to ban all kinds of photo and video shoots at Lalbagh. This includes pre- and post-wedding shoots, baby and modelling portfolios, Instagram reels, and commercial filming. Officials have said that the move is not meant to stop people from enjoying the park, but to protect its natural environment and ensure that visitors use the space responsibly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 90s Icon: A Look at Her Today I Am Famous Undo 'Lalbagh is not just a park, it's a living, breathing biodiversity zone. It must be protected,' said a senior horticulture official. Concerns over behaviour and environment Some officials have also raised concerns about people doing inappropriate poses or changing clothes in public, which can make other visitors, especially children and senior citizens, feel uncomfortable. Live Events In some cases, people have climbed trees or stood on flowerbeds to get the best shot, damaging plants and trees. There are also ecological concerns. Loud music and flash lighting, often used in shoots, can disturb birds and bees. One official noted that in the past, people have even been stung by bees after disturbing hives with camera flashes. Proposal based on expert committee advice The proposal is being drafted based on recommendations by an expert committee led by ecologist and former IFS officer A N Yellappa Reddy. M Jagadish, joint director (parks and gardens) in the horticulture department, said, 'We are working on a formal proposal based on the expert committee's recommendations. The same protectionist approach adopted for Cubbon Park is being extended to Lalbagh.' If approved, the ban will help ensure that Lalbagh remains a peaceful and protected green space for all. Inputs from TOI


Hindustan Times
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru's Lalbagh likely to ban all photoshoots amid concerns over ecology, public decency: Report
After Cubbon Park, Bengaluru's iconic Lalbagh Botanical Garden is now preparing to clamp down on all kinds of photo and video shoots, including wedding shoots, baby portfolios, fashion photography, Instagram reels, and commercial film productions, reported The Times of India. The horticulture department is in the final stages of drafting a proposal that could soon restrict such activities within the heritage garden's premises. Also Read - Karnataka Dy CM DK Shivakumar visits Air India plane crash site, calls tragedy 'heartbreaking' According to the report, the move aims to protect the park's delicate ecosystem and ensure that the space remains accessible and comfortable for regular visitors. 'Lalbagh is not merely a recreational space—it's a biodiversity hotspot that must be preserved,' said a senior official from the horticulture department is quoted as a saying. M Jagadish, joint director (parks and gardens), confirmed to the publication that the department is working on a formal proposal, following the footsteps of the recent restrictions imposed at Cubbon Park. 'We are aligning with the expert committee's suggestions to adopt a conservation-first approach at Lalbagh as well,' he said. Also Read - Bengaluru woman witnesses rare 'peaceful accident': 'No fights, just handshakes' The committee, led by former IFS officer and ecologist A.N. Yellappa Reddy, has raised multiple red flags. Loud noises and artificial lighting commonly used during shoots can disturb bees, butterflies, and nesting birds. In one incident, a swarm of bees attacked visitors after being agitated by strong flashlights during a shoot. Beyond environmental disruption, the committee has also flagged public decency concerns. Officials have received complaints about inappropriate poses and public costume changes during photoshoots, which many families and senior citizens have found disturbing. In some instances, photographers and subjects were spotted climbing trees or trampling on flowerbeds, causing physical damage to plants and landscaping. The department has emphasized that this is not a move to restrict leisure photography by everyday visitors, but an effort to strike a balance between public enjoyment and ecological responsibility. Once finalized, the proposed rules are expected to bring stricter guidelines or a complete ban on organised shoots at Lalbagh.


Time of India
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
No more glam: Bengaluru iconic Lalbagh Botanical Garden may bar photo shoots, reels; officials cite ecological damage, public discomfort
BENGALURU: Close on the heels of the state govt's decision to ban film and wedding shoots at Cubbon Park, Bengaluru's iconic Lalbagh Botanical Garden is also considering similar restrictions. The department of horticulture is in the final stages of preparing a proposal to ban all types of photo and video shoots - including pre- and post-wedding shoots, baby and modelling portfolios, Instagram reels, and commercial filming - inside Lalbagh. Officials, however, have clarified that the aim is not to restrict public enjoyment, but to strike a balance between public access and ecological preservation. Official: There're concerns about near-obscene poses in public too Lalbagh is not just a park — it's a living, breathing biodiversity zone. It must be protected,' a senior horticulture official said. M Jagadish, joint director (parks and gardens), horticulture department, said: 'We are working on a formal proposal based on the expert committee's recommendations. The same protectionist approach adopted for Cubbon Park is being extended to Lalbagh.' An expert committee headed by former IFS officer and ecologist AN Yellappa Reddy has been formed to recommend rules. Loud noise, use of artificial lighting, often seen during weddings or modelling shoots, can disturb bees and nesting birds. 'There were instances where people were stung by bees after flashlights disturbed nearby hives,' he said. There are also concerns over near-obscene poses or costume changes in public. The official said: 'That can be uncomfortable for other visitors, especially children and senior citizens. In some cases, photographers and couples were seen climbing trees or standing on flowerbeds to explore better photo and video angles, damaging plants and trees.' Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .