Cancel leases for mining in forest areas: HC tells govt

H C Prabhu of Somwarpet taluk in Kodagu district had filed a petition stating that he had been issued licence for mining in the forest area and later it was cancelled.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice A S Bopanna expressed unhappiness over the government inaction in curbing mining and quarrying in forest land.

The Division Bench observed that the government need to bring out a single order cancelling all the leases across the State rather than proceeding on a case by case basis.

 The Court, hinting at the connivance between the lease holders and the officials, observed that granting the lease in a forest area was ‘motivated and intentional’. It further warned the State that the government had to cancel all such licences before the disposal of the petition.

The Court directed the State to seek instructions to cancel the leases and submit an action taken report in four weeks’ time.