13,800 schoolkids pull of largest tree hug at Lalbagh

As many as 13,800 students from 35 schools descended on Lalbagh Botanical Garden on Friday to create the new Guinness World Record for hugging trees for a minute.  

The tree hug was organised by  the Rotary Club, the Karnataka Civil Defence and the Horticulture Department  as part of the 'Appiko Movement' on the theme of 'My Tree My Life' to raise awareness among children about the importance of planting saplings for a good environment.

Children formed a human chain and took an oath to protect trees before taking part in the Appiko movement.

The previous record was created by 4,620 people in Thiruvananthapuram in March to mark the International Day of Forests. "We have broken this record at Lalbagh,"  Chandrashekar M R, deputy director (Lalbagh), Horticulture Department, told DH.

Srinath Babu, of Rotary International district 3190, said:  "The Appiko movement aimed to create awareness about the need to protect trees and the environment besides attempting the largest tree-hugging event in the world."

Asha Prasanna Kumar, a member of  Rotary International district 3190, said:  "We are urging the government to take steps to plant more  trees in the city. The authorities should think about our future and save the environment."

DH News Service