India, May 17 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has halted ecotourism at Deomali, the highest peak in Odisha in the Koraput district, and ordered the state to secure clearance under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, for structures built for it within three months or demolish them and restore the land.

NGT's eastern zonal bench of Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Arun Kumar Verma said 10 cottages for tourists with dining halls and dormitories, and other constructions lacked permissions. "If the required approval is not obtained within the stipulated time, the...structures erected shall be removed, and the area shall be restored to its original form. In any case, no diversion of the land in question shall be made for non-forestry purposes,...