Living root bridges divide villagers thanks to MBDA

SHILLONG: A rift has surfaced between two groups over the famous living root bridges in Shillong.
While one group is opposing the move of the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) for coming out with rules and regulations for the protection of the bridges without consulting them, the other group has extended support.
Earlier, the MBDA had come up with a slew of dos and don’ts to safeguard the unique bridges and lately has been able to attract huge number of tourists from far and wide.
A group of stakeholders on Saturday told reporters that they were in full support of the MBDA, and that hundreds of people have signed documents in support of the regulations.
Chesterfield Khongsdam from Mawlyngdun village, where there are about five living root bridges, said that they have not heard about Living Root Foundation as they never consulted them.
Earlier, the Living Root Foundation led by one Morningstar Khongthaw had alleged that the MBDA is conducting surveys and meetings to recognise  the living root bridges to get the heritage tag from UNESCO without taking them into consideration.
However, Chesterfield Khongsdam on Saturday told reporters that they have no objection to the regulations as they do not interfere with the ownership rights over the bridges
Denying the allegations that MBDA never contacted the stakeholders, he added that MBDA, through the block development offices located in Laitkroh, Shella-Bholaganj, Mawsynram, Pynursla and Amlarem, had already contacted the owners of the root bridges, and that they are supporting the government and the authority.
Urging everyone to work together for the sake of protecting these bridges and to secure world heritage status which would lead to the growth of local economy, he added that all must work in unison to save these unique bridges.
Esting Khongmawloh, headman of Shiliang Jashar village under Pynursla block, said there are around 17 root bridges in and around the village, and that all landowners and villagers have given consent to the authority to go ahead with the regulations.