LUCKNOW, July 9 -- With an ambitious target of planting 35 crore more saplings this July, Uttar Pradesh is adding another dimension to its green mission. Government departments are now relocating fully grown trees threatened by upcoming infrastructure projects, signalling a shift from afforestation alone to the conservation of existing green cover. The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) has planned translocation of around 8,000 trees instead of cutting them for the development of the Anant Nagar Housing Scheme on Mohan Road. This will be UP's biggest ever tree-translocation effort. The LDA has invited a private agency to assess the possibility of translocation of trees, which is done on the basis of their age and strength. This process will begin with soil work, treatment of roots and then shifting them to new locations. The species of trees which were planted in the scheme are mango, guava, jackfruit, neem and other trees. LDA chief engineer Manvendra Singh said the authority will appoint a specialised agency to conduct a scientific survey before translocating the trees to parks and green belts within the township during the monsoon season. Kumar directed officials to complete compensation payments to affected landowners before shifting the trees. Tree translocation is the process of uprooting a mature, established tree from one location and carefully replanting it in another, instead of cutting it down. Former CDRI scientist PK Srivastava said that tree translocation is a common practice in many foreign countries and welcomed the initiative taken by the LDA. He noted that as the city continues to expand, such initiatives are essential for preserving its green cover. According to him, if similar measures are not adopted in the future, the city could become one of the hottest due to the continuous loss of greenery. LDA vice-chairman Prathamesh Kumar said that if the initiative proves successful, it will be extended to other development schemes to protect the city's green cover. He added that a similar approach had previously been adopted during the tree translocation carried out for the Green Corridor project. During an inspection of the project, Kumar also imposed penalties totalling Rs 12.5 lakh on two contractors for delays in infrastructure works and directed officials to accelerate construction across the township. He also fined another private agency Rs 7.5 lakh for slow progress in constructing the 45-metre-wide road, sewer lines, drains and utility trenches in Sectors 1 and 4....