India nominates Meghalaya’s living root bridges for UNESCO World Heritage status

Grown over generations by Khasi and Jaintia communities, Meghalaya’s living root bridges may soon earn global recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Image: Canva)

• India nominates Meghalaya's living root bridges for UNESCO World Heritage status
• Nomination highlights Khasi and Jaintia communities' ancient traditions
• If inscribed, bridges will boost global recognition and conservation efforts

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Meghalaya has taken a significant step towards securing global recognition for one of its most extraordinary indigenous traditions. India has formally submitted the nomination dossier of the state’s famed living root bridges to UNESCO for consideration under the 2026–27 World Heritage evaluation cycle.

Titled “Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape”, the nomination highlights a centuries-old living heritage shaped by the indigenous Khasi and Jaintia communities of the northeastern state.

Dossier submitted in Paris

The nomination dossier was submitted in Paris by India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Vishal V. Sharma, to Lazare Assomo Eloundou, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre.

Confirming the development, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the state is hopeful of securing World Heritage status for the living root bridges this year.

“We are hopeful that the Living Root Bridges will be inscribed this year, ensuring that the indigenous communities, the true guardians of this living heritage, receive the global recognition they so richly deserve,” Sangma said in a post on X.

Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges (Jingkieng Jri) dossier has been formally submitted to UNESCO in Paris by India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO for consideration for inclusion in the World Heritage List 2026–27.

The submission follows closely on the… pic.twitter.com/9Ig5RENnPL — Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) January 29, 2026

A living cultural landscape rooted in nature

The nominated cultural landscape spans the southern slopes of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, showcasing a rare tradition where nature, community life and belief systems are deeply intertwined.

Unlike conventional monuments, Meghalaya’s living root bridges are grown, not built. Crafted by training the aerial roots of rubber fig trees across rivers and gorges, these bridges take decades to mature and can last for centuries when properly maintained.

At the heart of this tradition lies the indigenous philosophy of coexistence with nature and reverence for Mei Ramew, or Mother Earth. The bridges symbolise sustainable land use, community governance and ecological stewardship passed down through generations.

Recognition of indigenous knowledge systems

According to the nomination, the cultural landscape reflects a harmonious relationship between people, nature and spirituality, expressed through traditional systems of land management, social organisation and environmental care.

The submission underscores India’s broader commitment to recognising and preserving living cultural traditions and indigenous knowledge systems, rather than only physical or archaeological sites.

Centre, state and community efforts acknowledged

While submitting the dossier, Ambassador Sharma acknowledged the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma for supporting the nomination.

He also highlighted the contributions of the Archaeological Survey of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, state officials including Meghalaya Principal Secretary Frederick Kharkongor, heritage experts and, crucially, the local communities who continue to protect and nurture the living root bridges.

Global spotlight on Meghalaya’s heritage

If inscribed, the living root bridges would join India’s growing list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and place Meghalaya firmly on the global cultural and sustainable tourism map.

Officials say the nomination not only seeks international recognition but also aims to strengthen long-term conservation efforts, ensuring that tourism growth does not dilute the cultural and ecological values that make the living root bridges unique.