(Photo source: Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office)  

Showing one’s love for the environment can be done in many ways. 

One may participate in tree-planting activities or  clean up drives, avoid littering in public places or even use sustainable transportation to go around. But there’s a relatively new way to express your love for dear Mother Earth – “tree hugging”. 

Tree hugging is a national campaign recently launched by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources - Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB) to encourage Filipinos to appreciate trees and the benefits that come from nurturing them. 

The campaign is also FMB’s way to introduce tree hugging as an alternative way of celebrating love month, showing love and care for the environment, our forests, and of course, trees.  

Tree hugging can be traced way back to the 1970’s. 

The iconic Chipko Movement in India had villagers, mostly women, stand up against widespread deforestation and chose to embrace trees as a non-violent way to protect them from loggers. 

The word “chipko” translates to “hug” in Hindi, a word from which the movement was named after.  

Tree hugging can be extracted from the deep cultural and spiritual beliefs of local communities. Various communities around the world consider trees as sacred and revered as sources of life, energy, and sustenance. From which the movement came along, it has now become a symbol of environmental activism and reverence for nature. 

Benefits of tree-hugging? 

On top of its significance in the fight against climate change, study shows that human beings can benefit from it, psychologically.

1. Gives calming energy 

Study shows that hugging a tree increases the level of hormone responsible for the calmness and emotional wellbeing of a person. It reduces stress, lowering blood pressure.

2. Accelerates recovery 

Spending time with trees can improve immunity and accelerate recovery from illness or trauma.  

3. Good for mental health

Mental health experts say tree hugging is a profound form of meditation as it is about being present in the moment, getting physical contact with other living things. In that moment of concentration, senses awaken, positive hormones are released, making your mind and body feel better.

The DENR National Capital Region joined the celebration by encouraging residents of Metro Manila to take a picture of themselves hugging their favorite tree and posting it on their social media platforms, garnering almost a hundred participants. 

Employees from the Pasig River Coordinating and Management Office (PRCMO),  Environmental Management Bureau NCR (EMB NCR) also joined in the fun by hugging trees inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center and the National Ecology Compound in Quezon City.

How to participate? 

Individuals can take pictures of themselves, either selfie or groufie showing a creative way of hugging any tree around Metro Manila. 

Post the picture in your social media accounts with a short description about the tree such as species and location, more especially if it’s a native heritage tree. Use #TreeHuggerNgNCR as your hashtag. 

Truly, participating in these campaigns may only be within a certain time frame but caring for the environment, and expressing your love for trees is timeless, as its significance to human lives are endless. For more information, follow DENR National Capital Region’s Facebook page.  (JVD/PIA-NCR)