Ghana man sets world record by hugging over 1,100 trees in an hour

An environmental activist in Ghana has set a new Guinness World Record for hugging more than eleven hundred trees in an hour.

29-year-old Abubakar Tahiru hugged as many as 1,123 trees, averaging almost 19 trees per minute.

According to the Guinness World Records' website, Abubakar grew up in the farming community in Tepa Ghana, and has a keen interest in nature and its protection.

He is studying at Auburn University for a master’s degree in forestry in Alabama, US.

He made a record at Tuskegee National Forest, one of four national forests in the timber-rich state of Alabama.

GWR quoted Abubakar saying that the hardest part of the record attempt was having to move quickly between trees while ensuring that the hug met the required standards.

A hug for the record was defined as both arms 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 attempts are disqualified," the requirement read.

“Not being able to drink water throughout the attempt posed a significant challenge, especially given the physical exertion required,” Abubakar said who was fasting for Ramadan.

However, Abubakar also believed that fasting assisted him in reaching at target faster because he did not take a water break and attempt remained uninterrupted from start to finish.

Abubakar has now been planning to deepen his involvement in forestry by working on the development of sustainable practices and collaborating with environmental organisations to promote sustainable projects.