JOIN USA Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice Bopanna issued the direction while hearing a petition challenging a government order rendering environmental clearance mandatory under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
“The decision taken by the State government is without application of judicious mind, especially in the light of sand policy for 2011 for permitting mechanised equipment in river banks and beds,” the Bench noted.
The petitioner had challenged the Government Order in the wake of the previous order of the court banning sand mining using mechanised boats.
Guidelines directed
The High Court has directed 49 sports associations in the State to come out with guidelines within six months on their organising non-sporting activities.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice A S Bopanna while hearing a petition by K Patel Munegowda said the associations cannot conduct any non-sporting activities if they failed to frame guidelines.
The petitioner has challenged utilisation of Kanteerava stadium for non-sporting activities.
He had sought directions to use the stadium only for sporting events. The government had maintained that non-sporting events were necessary to maintain the stadium.