India Submits Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges for UNESCO World Heritage Recognition

India has formally submitted the nomination of Meghalaya’s living root bridges to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for consideration for inclusion in the World Heritage List for the 2026–27 cycle, marking a significant step in recognising one of the country’s most distinctive indigenous traditions on the global stage.

The nomination dossier was handed over in Paris by India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Vishal V. Sharma, to the Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, Lazare Assomo Eloundou, according to official statements. The submission represents the culmination of years of documentation, consultation, and conservation efforts involving local communities, scholars, and multiple government agencies.

A Living Cultural Landscape

The living root bridges, locally known as Jingkieng Jri, are found across the southern slopes of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya. Unlike conventional bridges built from stone or steel, these structures are grown over decades by training the aerial roots of rubber fig trees across streams and rivers. Over time, the roots thicken, interweave, and strengthen, creating durable pathways capable of supporting human movement while withstanding heavy rainfall and floods common to the region.

UNESCO nomination documents describe the bridges as a living cultural landscape, shaped through centuries of human interaction with nature. The practice reflects a deep ecological understanding passed down through generations of the Khasi and Jaintia communities, who continue to maintain and use these bridges as part of daily life.

Indigenous Knowledge at the Core

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, announcing the submission, expressed hope that the bridges would receive World Heritage status in the current cycle. He said the recognition would highlight the role of indigenous communities as custodians of a heritage that is both functional and symbolic.

The cultural philosophy underlying the bridges is rooted in the indigenous belief system centred on Mei Ramew, or Mother Earth. This worldview emphasises respect, reciprocity, and responsibility towards nature, shaping traditional systems of land use, governance, and environmental care. Officials involved in the nomination noted that the bridges are not isolated monuments but part of a broader cultural fabric that integrates spirituality, ecology, and community cooperation.

Collaborative Effort Behind the Nomination

The preparation of the dossier involved extensive coordination between the Meghalaya government, the Archaeological Survey of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, conservation experts, and local residents. Ambassador Sharma, while submitting the nomination, acknowledged the contributions of state officials, technical experts, and village communities who have preserved the bridges through customary practices rather than formal engineering methods.

Officials emphasised that safeguarding the living root bridges depends on continued community participation, as the structures require regular care and patient nurturing over many years. The nomination also highlights how traditional knowledge systems can offer sustainable solutions relevant to contemporary environmental challenges.

Significance for Heritage Conservation

If inscribed, the living root bridges would join India’s list of UNESCO World Heritage properties, strengthening the country’s representation of living traditions alongside architectural and archaeological sites. Cultural experts believe the nomination aligns with UNESCO’s increasing emphasis on landscapes and practices that demonstrate sustainable relationships between humans and nature.

The submission also signals India’s broader commitment to promoting indigenous heritage and ecological wisdom at international forums. By placing a community-driven tradition at the centre of the nomination, the dossier underscores the importance of recognising heritage that continues to evolve rather than remaining frozen in time.

What Happens Next

UNESCO’s evaluation process involves technical assessments by advisory bodies, field studies, and reviews of conservation frameworks before a final decision is taken by the World Heritage Committee. The outcome is expected during the committee’s session in the 2026–27 period.

For communities in Meghalaya, the nomination itself has already brought renewed attention to the need for conservation, responsible tourism, and intergenerational transmission of knowledge. State officials have indicated that efforts to protect the bridges will continue regardless of the final decision, with a focus on balancing preservation with the needs of local residents.

As the evaluation process moves forward, Meghalaya’s living root bridges stand as a powerful example of how culture, environment, and community life can grow together—literally and metaphorically—over time