SHILLONG, Meghalaya – January 30, 2026 – india has formally nominated the state of Meghalaya’s extraordinary living root bridges for UNESCO World Heritage status, a move that could bring global recognition too this ancient and sustainable practice.
A Living Landscape centuries in the Making
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This nomination highlights a unique symbiosis between people and nature.
- The nomination covers the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
- Living root bridges are built by guiding the roots of rubber fig trees across rivers.
- The practice reflects the indigenous reverence for nature and “Mei Ramew,” or Mother Earth.
- UNESCO will evaluate the nomination during the 2026-27 cycle.
What exactly *are* living root bridges, and why are they so special? These aren’t structures built *on* nature, but *with* it. For centuries, the Khasi and Jaintia communities have skillfully trained the aerial roots of the rubber fig tree (Ficus elastica) to interweave and form durable, self-renewing bridges across the region’s many rivers and streams.
India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Vishal V. Sharma, submitted the nomination dossier to Lazare Assomo Eloundou, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Center. The submission underscores India’s dedication to preserving living cultural landscapes and bolstering international heritage conservation through UNESCO initiatives.
A Testament to Indigenous Knowledge
The nominated cultural landscape isn’t just about the bridges themselves; it’s about the entire ecosystem of traditional knowledge, land management, and community governance that sustains them. This reflects a profound connection between the people, their beliefs, and the natural world around them. The practice embodies a beliefs of coexistence and deep respect for Mei Ramew, a central figure in khasi and Jaintia cosmology representing Mother Earth.
Ambassador Sharma also recognized the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Union minister for Culture, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, and the contributions of the Archaeological Survey of India, the Ministry of external Affairs, and, crucially, the local communities who continue to maintain and protect this invaluable heritage.
Looking Ahead: UNESCO Evaluation
The “Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai cultural Landscape” will now undergo a rigorous evaluation process by UNESCO, with a decision expected during the 2026-27 World Heritage evaluation cycle. Triumphant inscription would not only celebrate this unique cultural tradition but also provide further impetus for its preservation and sustainable management.
The nomination highlights a commitment to safeguarding not just physical structures, but the intangible cultural heritage-the knowledge, skills, and beliefs-that make these living root bridges a truly extraordinary part of the world’s natural and cultural landscape.
