Date:09/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/09/stories/2007010913150500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Steps taken to cancel lease'

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The State Government on Monday placed before the Karnataka High Court a letter from the Department of Mines and Geology stating that steps had been taken to cancel a mining lease given to a private entrepreneur at Gavali in Khanapur taluk in Belgaum district. In the letter, the department said that the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests on August 5, 2006, said the mining activity would affect the Wroughton Freetailed Bat, which was found in the near-by Barapet caves. The court was dealing with public interest litigation by N.S. Vijayanath Babu. The Bench adjourned further hearing on the case.