Ghanaian environmental activist, Abubakar Tahiru, has set a Guinness World Record after hugging 1,123 trees.
Guinness World Record has disclosed that the 29-year-old hugged a total of 1,123 trees, averaging almost 19 per minute.
Abubakar, an indigene of Tepa, a farming community in Ghana developed a keen interest in nature and its conservation while growing up.
In 2023, he moved to Alabama, USA, to start his master’s degree in forestry at Auburn University after he completed his undergraduate degree specializing in forestry at one of Ghana’s top universities.
Abubakar’s record attempt was held at Tuskegee National Forest, one of four national forests in the timber-rich state of Alabama.
Defining tree hug for the purposes of this record, the Guinness World Record said both arms should be wrapped around a tree in a close embrace. No tree may be hugged more than once, and no damage can be caused to any tree or else the attempt is disqualified.
Interestingly, Abubakar was fasting at the time he attempted to set this record.
“Not being able to drink water throughout the attempt posed a significant challenge, especially given the physical exertion required.
“However, this also proved to be helpful in a way, as there was no need to pause for water breaks, allowing me to continue the attempt uninterrupted from start to finish,” he stated.
“Achieving this world record feels incredibly rewarding.
“It’s a meaningful gesture to highlight the crucial role of trees in our ecosystem and the urgency of environmental conservation,” Abubakar Tahiru added.
