More than 2000 people have gathered in Nepal's capital in a bid to set a world record for the largest tree hug.
Parliament members, students, office workers and even Buddhist monks took part in the attempt on Thursday, gathering at a park on the outskirts of Katmandu.
They said they were trying to set the record to celebrate World Environment Day by spreading awareness about the importance of trees.
"Our goal is to set a new world record and at the same time spread the message that trees are important for the environment and everyone," said Thaneswor Guragai, who co-ordinated the event.
The previous Guinness World Record for the most people hugging trees simultaneously was 936 people in Portland, Oregon, in July 2013.
Participants on Thursday held trees for two minutes as volunteers beat drums at the National Martyrs and Peace Park, on the northeast edge of Katmandu.
"We are gathered here in our attempt to save the forests and make people aware that trees and forests are important for human civilization," said Rajan KC, who was among the 20 Parliament members hugging the trees and monitoring the event.
Most of the participants were students in their school uniforms.
Ninth-grader Ganga Pandit said that while she had planted samplings in the past, she felt it was important for her to join the campaign to save existing trees.
The organisers of Thursday's event will send photos, video, a signed statement from the parliament members who were there and the names of the participants to Guinness, which will decide whether to recognise the feat as a record.
Guragai said it would take about two months to get a recognition certificate from Guinness.
Share
