More than 2,000 in Nepal hug trees in attempt to set record on World Environment Day

KATMANDU, Nepal – More than 2,000 people have gathered in a park in Nepal’s capital in a bid to set the record for the largest tree hug.

The participants — including Parliament members, students, office workers and even Buddhist monks — gathered Thursday at a park on the northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu.

They said they were attempting to set the record to celebrate World Environment Day by spreading awareness about the importance of trees.

The previous Guinness World Record for most people hugging trees simultaneously was 936 people in Portland, Oregon, in July 2013.

The organizers 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 recognize the feat as a new record.