Bhutan Celebrates Birth of Crown Prince by Planting 1,08,000 Trees

Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema announced the birth of their first child on 5 February 2016. (Photo: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s Facebook page)

What better way to celebrate the birth of a Prince than to plant over a lakh trees in your kingdom? The current King of the Himalayan Country of Bhutan Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema announced the birth of their first child on 5 February 2016. A month later,1,08,000 saplings were planted across the country as a form of prayer for the well-being of the crowned prince.

His majesty walks with his new born son as people cover their mouths as a sign of respect while greeting the King and crowned prince back. (Photo: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s Facebook page)

Each sapling encapsulates a prayer and a wish of the person who planted it to His Royal Highness the Prince so that just like the bountiful tree, the Prince also grows up healthy, strong, wise and compassionate.

<b>Tenzin Lekphell, Coordinator of event</b>

Queen Jetsun Pema with her month-old son, the crowned prince. (Photo: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s Facebook page)

According to The Diplomat, 82,000 trees were planted by households, and the remaining 26,000 by volunteers in special plantations in 14 districts. In Buddhism, trees are considered the provider of life and 108 is a significant number in the religion as it believes that there are 108 temptations that stop one from attaining enlightenment.

The Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay tweeted a photo of volunteers planting saplings on a hill.

‘Happiness Garden’

A ‘Happiness Garden’ was also inaugurated by the Ministry of Tourism in the capital of Thimphu on the same day 6 March 2016.

It is a 48,400 square-yard garden that invites tourists to plant ‘happiness trees’. The aim to have trees representing every country in the world.

Bhutan is known as a country of happiness. To have a happiness garden is therefore logical. With this garden, we hope to bring the peoples of the world closer.&nbsp;

<b>Damchoe Rinzin, spokesperson, Tourism Council of Bhutan</b>

In this Sunday 6 March 2016, photo provided by Tendrel Initiatives shows Bhutanese people planting saplings on a hillside, in Thimpu, Bhutan. (Photo: AP)

June 2015 proved important for Bhutan as a group of 100 volunteers set a Guinness record by planting a total of 49,672 trees in one hour on the mountainous terrain.