More than 2,000 people gathered in Nepal’s capital on Thursday in a bid to set a world record for the largest tree hug.

Parliament members, students, office workers and even Buddhist monks took part in the attempt, gathering at a park on the outskirts of Katmandu. They said they were trying 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, last July.

Participants on Thursday held trees for two minutes as volunteers beat drums at the National Martyrs and Peace Park, on the northeast edge of Katmandu.

Most of the participants were students in their school uniforms.

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