Video | 2,000 Nepalese tree-huggers claim world record

More than two thousand people including lawmakers and students hugged trees in a park outside Nepal’s capital Kathmandu on Thursday to claim a new record on World Environment Day.

After organisers sounded a horn, eager students, many wearing their school uniforms, clasped tree trunks and held tight for two minutes as Nepalese musicians beat traditional drums.

“We had a very high turnout. In the end, 2,001 people hugged trees together... to claim a new world record,” said Thaneswar Guragai, one of the event’s organisers.

Among the tree huggers was 24-year-old student Tripti Prajapti who told AFP: “When you hug a tree you feel connected... even as an individual you can contribute to protect and conserve trees.”

Twenty Nepalese lawmakers also turned up to support the campaigners.