A 35-year old neem tree was today transplanted to a place a kilo metre away in Peelamedu in the city.

The transplanting or relocating had become necessary, since the family members wanted to construct a house and the tree was becoming an obstacle and so decided to chop off the tree, police said.

However, a hunger strike by an adamant member of the family forced them to go for transplant and green activists and NGOs like G18, Back to Nature, Vaanagam and Pasumai Desam extended their helping hand to relocate the tree.

The activists cut its branches and treated them with chemicals to keep it hydrated during the last week.

A seven-foot deep pit was dug to remove the 30-foot tall tree and with the help of two earth movers it was uprooted and transported to VOC park area, with the permission of the Corporation officials, they said.

The cost for the process, approximately Rs. 1 lakh, was borne by the NGOs and family members.