5 lakh saplings in an hour: Jaisalmer bags world record

JAISALMER: Jaisalmer Sunday witnessed an extraordinary tree-planting campaign that secured a place in the World Book of Records.

The 128th Infantry Battalion (ETF) of the Territorial Army, along with various organizations including the district administration, the army, Border Security Force, Air Force, panchayat, forest department, and municipal council, successfully planted an astonishing 519,000 saplings within a single hour.

The initiative themed "A Tree in the Name of Mother" was carried out simultaneously at seven strategic locations in Jaisalmer, with the Jaisalmer Military Station and New Link Road Ranisar being the focal points.

Saplings planted at many locations in Jaisalmer Project and administrative officer Major Anant Kumar Singh announced that a total of 519,310 saplings were planted within one hour on Sunday, setting a new world record.

The saplings were planted in various locations, including 257,820 in the Military Station area, 170,000 on New Link Road Ranisar Jaisalmer, and 91,490 at other sites such as Degrai Mata Temple Sawanta, Hiyagji Temple Srimohangarh, Veershree Sodha Ji Temple Salkha, Satimata Temple Hamira, and Ghotaru Site.

The World Book of Records London acknowledged this remarkable feat and bestowed a provisional certificate in recognition of this unparalleled achievement.

The World Book of Records London recognized the achievement as a record for the highest number of trees planted by a single team in one hour, the most trees planted by a women's team in one hour, and the largest number of individuals planting trees simultaneously at a single location.

Santosh Shukla, country head of World Book Records, United Kingdom, personally presented the record certificate to Major General H S Bajaj of the Battle Axe Division.

Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Sundy said on social media, "The land of sand dunes, Jaisalmer is now ready to usher in a Green Revolution. Inspired by PM Modi's "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative, the CM tree plantation drive "Hariyalo Rajasthan" saw Golden city Jaisalmer's city administration, Army, BSF, Air Force and others come together to plant over 5 lakh saplings in just one hour, and create a world record....I congratulate everyone who participated in this initiative."