Bhutan will attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by planting 50,000 tree saplings, within an hour, in Kuenselphodrang, Thimphu tomorrow. The Indian state of Assam holds the present record. They had planted 40,885 saplings in 2012.
A hundred volunteers, aged 18-35, will start the planting marathon from 8 AM, tomorrow.
It is being organised by People’s Initiative in Celebrating the Sixtieth Anniversary (PICSA) under the project, Bhutan Eco-Green Initiative Network.
PICSA’s Project Coordinator, Karma Tshering said they have been preparing for the big moment since last three weeks.
“It took us quite a lot of time to convince the office of Guinness World Record in London because when we applied, it was not just Bhutan. There are so many countries applying for plantation for other records.”
He said one of the reasons they, straight away, agreed is because Bhutan is celebrating 60th Anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and this year is the 60th Anniversary of Guinness World Record. “So, I think that really attracted them to say yes.”
Karma Tshering said Bhutan is not only aiming to break the record but set the bar really high.
They have divided 20 acres of land into three hills. 50,000 saplings are further divided into 10 sections and each section is to have 5,000 saplings. Each section will have 10 volunteers.