Abubakar Tahiru, a 29-year-old Ghanaian environmental activist and forestry student, has made history by etching his name in the Guinness Book of World Records. Tahiru achieved this feat by hugging an astounding 1,123 trees in one hour, surpassing the minimum requirement of 700 trees.
The Guinness World Record announced Tahiru’s accomplishment, noting that he not only became the record holder but also the first person ever to hold this title. The event took place at the Tuskegee National Forest in Alabama, USA, where Tahiru embraced nearly 19 trees per minute.
Tahiru, who grew up in a farming community in Tepa, Ghana, developed a deep interest in nature and conservation. After completing his undergraduate degree in forestry, he moved to Alabama to pursue his master’s degree in forestry at Auburn University.
Describing the challenge, Guinness World Records explained that a successful tree hug involves both arms wrapped around a tree in a close embrace, with no tree hugged more than once and no damage caused to any tree. Tahiru undertook this challenge while fasting during Ramadan, adding an extra layer of difficulty.
Despite the physical exertion and fasting, Tahiru moved swiftly between trees, ensuring each hug met the required standards. He expressed his satisfaction with achieving the world record, emphasizing the rewarding feeling of this accomplishment.