Birth Of New Prince In Bhutan Is Celebrated By Planting 108,000 Trees

The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has just got its new prince, and he has been welcomed by one of the most awesome gifts ever.

Citizens all over the country rejoice and express it by... planting a tree. It's actually not too surprising considering the recent history of Bhutan. In 2015, the country set a Guinness World Record by planting almost 50,000 trees in just one hour. Initiatives like that and a unique policy of “Gross National Happiness,” which states that the country shall always keep 60 percent of its total area under forest cover, have made Bhutan the world's most eco-friendly and carbon-negative country.

108,000 trees were planted to celebrate the first Royal Child of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema. “In Buddhism, a tree is the provider and nourisher of all life forms,” says the coordinator of the initiative, Tenzin Lekphell. “It symbolizes longevity, health, beauty and even compassion.”

How does the idea of planting a tree instead of cutting one sit with you?

h/t: boredpanda