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Heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for respondent Nos.1 to 8 and 13 and Mr.N.P.Amruthesh, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.11. With the consent of learned counsel for the parties, we proceed to dispose of the matter.

2. The writ petition has been filed seeking the following reliefs:

"i) Quash the Quarrying Lease in No.108/2018-19 dated 23-07-2018 vide Annexure-L issued in favour of the Respondent No.10 for quarrying of river sand in 'Nagaramadavu Nala Sand Block-I' in Nagaramadavu Nala Bed adjacent to Sy.No.13, 15, 18, 19, 20 & 21 in Nagaramadavu Village, Shirahatti Taluk, Gadag District and same being registered in Book No.1, Document No.SRH-1-02623-2018- 29-01-2019

iv) Pass such other order or orders as deemed fit by this hon'ble court on the facts and circumstances of the case in the interest of justice and equity."

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the only source of water for the villagers is the ground water in the Nala in Nagaramadavu Nala Sand Block. The villagers totally depend on the said water for drinking purpose and for irrigation. Due to the quarrying of sand in the said Nala pursuant to the mining lease, the water available in the said Nala would be dried up and would adversely affect the petitioners and other villagers of the area.

5. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that joint spot inspection mahazar was prepared on 12.06.2020. During the spot inspection, it was found that the water was flowing in the pit in a smaller quantity and the remaining portion of the pit was partly dry. In the sand blocks, medium quality thick sand was found in few parts and fine quality sand was found in few parts. It was found that Shallow Sinking Bore Wells have been installed by the farmers in both the sand blocks. During the spot inspection, farmers and sand quarry lease holders were present along with the officials. The farmers informed that if sand is removed in the said areas, water will not be available from the installed bores and there is a chance of drying of underground water and the pipes laid in the pit will be damaged during sand quarrying and there will be loss to them. The lease holders of sand blocks informed that although they have obtained the sand quarrying leases from the Government through auction in accordance with the law, sand quarrying could not be conducted since two years. So, they will also incur huge loss.

7. The spot inspection mahazar report is on record with the memo dated 01.07.2020. The admitted position as emerges out from the record is that arrangements have been made for availability of drinking water by the farmers and villagers of the said area and the lessees have not been able to extract sand pursuant to the quarrying leases granted to them.

8. It would be expedient that respondent No.3 -District Sand Monitoring Committee represented by its Chairman and Deputy Commissioner, Gadag may reconsider grant of quarrying leases to the lessees and may even relocate the place of quarrying. While doing so, the concerning authority may abide by "Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines 2016" which provides for assessing effect of sand and gravel mining. The petitioners as well as respondent Nos.10 and 11 may approach respondent No.3 who may take appropriate decision in accordance with law expeditiously say, within a period of six weeks from the date a copy of this order is placed before him.