India, Nov. 6 -- Following the row over axing of more than 32,000 trees in Karjat for a pumped storage hydropower project, the Alibag forest division has asked the company behind the project, Gujarat-based Torrent Power, to save as many trees as possible by transplanting them.

"We have verbally told the Torrent management to transplant as many trees as possible instead of cutting them. We have also told them to save the trees in the submergence area. A formal communication regarding this will be issued soon," said Umesh Bawde, deputy conservator of forests in charge of the Alibag division.

The company's pumped storage project will require 370 hectares of land in the Saidongar, Kotwal Khalati and Pali areas in Karjat.

On October 6, the ...