Opponents of a plan to build the world’s largest telescope at the summit of Hawaii’s Mauna Kea volcano are appealing their case in the state courts.

Environmental groups and petitioners oppose the state Board of Land and Natural Resources’ decision last month to grant a permit for the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.

They filed a notice of appeal in Circuit Court in Hilo on Monday.

The appeal says the project will harm the mountain’s natural resources, undermine its scenery and destroy areas of historic importance.

A group of Californian and Canadian universities started the effort to build the telescope. Observatories in China, India and Japan are partners in the project.

They hope to begin construction in April 2014 and start operations in 2021.