GKVK: North Bengaluru’s Lalbagh

If you’ve ever wondered what North Bengaluru looked like before the glass towers and traffic corridors, GKVK (Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra) offers a glimpse. Located just off Bellary Road, next to Phoenix Mall of Asia, this 1,300-acre campus is one of the last remaining lung spaces in the northern part of the city. For walkers, joggers, birders, and nature lovers, GKVK isn’t just a campus—it’s a habitat.

Why GKVK Matters

Inaugurated in 1969, GKVK has quietly evolved into a Biodiversity Heritage Site (designated in 2010). Today, it supports:

• 600+ plant species
• 165+ bird species
• A mix of scrub forest, managed gardens, and agricultural landscapes
• Pockets of scrub forest that date back centuries, offering a rare ecological baseline for the region

Walking the Campus

It is very popular with walkers and joggers. The campus allows you to build long, meandering routes cutting through gardens and forest patches. Unlike most city parks, you’re not confined to a single circuit—routes can be varied each visit. The semi-forest habitat provides dense tree cover, creating shade and a cooler microclimate, which makes it usable even after sunrise.

Birding at GKVK

GKVK is an active eBird hotspot. It is also one of the most extensively documented birding locations in India, with 25,000+ eBird checklists. Aside from commonly seen residents like the Greater Coucal, Rufous Treepie, Black Drongo, Indian Roller, and Indian Golden Oriole, there have been reports of less frequent visitors such as the Banded Bay Cuckoo, Short-eared Owl, and European Bee-eater. This makes it a site that occasionally rewards persistence with uncommon sightings.

Some of the species I’ve photographed here

Know Before You Go

The Mahatma Gandhi Botanical Garden is the ecological core—but entry is restricted. The perimeter path is often more productive for birding.

Photography Etiquette

• Cameras are usually fine, but security may ask questions
• Keep it simple: you’re there for birding and nature
• If asked to move, comply and continue elsewhere

General Etiquette

• Stay on trails
• Avoid fenced research plots
• Keep noise low

Access

• Open to the public:
  • 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM
  • 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Entry is free

Closing Note

Whether it’s for a walk, a run, or just some nature therapy, GKVK is an easy place to return to.