India, Dec. 12 -- Uttarakhand high court on Friday directed the state government to submit a detailed report on the success rate of trees replanted during the Sahastradhara road expansion project in Dehradun.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Dehradun-based environmental activist Reenu Paul, challenging the proposed felling of more than 4,369 trees in the Shivalik Elephant Reserve for a new road-widening project between Bhaniyawala in Dehradun and Rishikesh.

The bench of chief justice G Narendar and justice Alok Mahra issued the direction after Abhijay Negi, counsel for the petitioner, argued that tree transplantation carried out on Sahastradhara Road has recorded poor survival rates.

Negi said the Fores...