Tarumitra's efforts to relocate trees in a project area elsewhere got in-principle approval from the environment and forest department on Wednesday.

The organisation had suggested use of special earthmovers while Patna Women's College and St Xavier's College students also joined in the cause. On Wednesday, the environment and forest department said special earthmovers would be put in use from October-November.

For three weeks now, trees in front of Mt Carmel High School and Patna Women's College are being felled for a road project (Lohia Path Chakra). "We're glad the department heard our plea," Tarumitra founder Fr Robert Athickal said.

"The rule is to plant 10 trees for every one cut down," Tarumitra coordinator Devopriya Dutta said. "Over 6,000 trees were cut in Patna in the past six years but an equal number of trees have not been planted. In cities like Hyderabad, they transplant them."

"The department is looking for a way to avoid cutting trees," principal secretary (environment and forest) Vivek Kumar Singh said.

"They should get experts," Patna Science College principal U.K. Sinha, a botany teacher, said. "Suitability of new planting site should be confirmed by checking light level, soil, drainage, and exposure."

Patna Women's College student and Eco Task Force member Smriti hoped the earthmovers would curb chopping down of trees.