CHENNAI: In an incredible effort for preservation of ecology on a single day, 8,13,226 saplings were planted in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.

The feat, achieved by Project Green Hands volunteers and led by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev of Isha Foundation, will now enter the Guinness Book of Records.

Sadhguru's message for the 2,15,700 volunteers, including students who participated in the plantation of 30 varieties of saplings, was: "On this day, what all of you have done is a privilege very few in this world enjoy. You have created something far bigger than yourselves, and will live well beyond you.

This massive expression of concern and commitment for the well being of all is unique and I am sure it will inspire many around the world to emulate the same."

The first two saplings were planted at the Gopalpuram residence of chief minister M Karunanidhi on Sunday. The rest were planted on Tuesday. The last sapling was planted in the garden of Raj Bhavan with the Sadhguru assisting governor Surjit Singh Barnala.

The exercise began early in the morning across Tamil Nadu's 27 districts and Puducherry (Pondicherry) on the premises of 33 government organisations, 11 NGOs, 47 industrial areas, 12 corporates and six institutions.