Speleologist Peter Adamko said the project will harm one of the
world’s largest thermal cave systems, discovered at the site six
years ago and named after Janos Molnar. The caves, which feed two
thermal springs, are still under exploration and the planned
construction could seriously damage its natural resources, chairman
of Hungary’s Karst and Speleology Association Szablocs Leel-Ossy
said.
Head of the hotel project company Balazs Szalay, a famous Dakar
rally driver, denied the construction would hurt the caves, which he
said would remain in state ownership.
The environmentalists have appealed an earlier decision by the
National Office of Cultural Heritage to grant the project a building
licence and a Budapest city court will hold its first hearing in the
case in June, the paper said.
