Abubakar Tahiru, a 29-year-old environmental activist and forestry student, has secured his place in the Guinness Book of World Records by embracing 1,123 trees within a span of just one hour.
According to Punch, the Guinness World Record (GWR) officially confirmed his achievement on Friday, noting that Tahiru not only clinched the record but also became the inaugural holder of this title, effortlessly surpassing the required minimum of 700 tree hugs.
The remarkable feat unfolded at Tuskegee National Forest in Alabama, USA, where Tahiru averaged nearly 19 tree embraces per minute.
Hailing from a farming community in Tepa, Ghana, Tahiru's passion for nature and conservation blossomed from an early age.
After completing his undergraduate studies in forestry at a prestigious Ghanaian university, he embarked on a journey to pursue a master's degree in forestry at Auburn University in Alabama.
According to GWR guidelines, a successful tree hug entails wrapping both arms around a tree in a close embrace, with each tree hugged only once and no damage inflicted.
Remarkably, Tahiru undertook this challenge while observing Ramadan, abstaining from water consumption despite the rigorous physical activity.
Moving swiftly between trees, he ensured that each hug met the stringent criteria set forth by GWR.
Reflecting on his achievement, Tahiru expressed gratitude and described the endeavor as immensely fulfilling.
He recounted the challenges posed by fasting during the attempt but highlighted how it enabled him to sustain uninterrupted momentum throughout the rigorous feat.