M’laya’s living root bridges await heritage status
SHILLONG, Jan 12: Securing the UNESCO World Heritage status for Meghalaya’s living root bridges is proving to be a challenge for the state government due to the competitive process, where only one site from India is nominated each year.
Addressing the delay, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma highlighted the hurdles while stating that the government has done everything in its efforts to push the proposal forward.
“It doesn’t happen for five or six locations; only one location is sent for the entire country. So, it is very competitive,” Sangma said.
Despite the challenges, the state government has written to the Prime Minister, the Union Minister for Culture, and other relevant departments to advocate the cause of the living root bridges.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh had visited the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in September last year for the same purpose.
Sangma stressed the importance of recognition for these structures, which are unique to the region. “As far as my knowledge goes, I don’t think there’s any other place where such living root bridges exist. This is unique to this region and our state,” he said.
While acknowledging that the outcome is not entirely within the government’s control, the Chief Minister expressed optimism. “The efforts are on, but it’s not something that is completely in our hands. We are hopeful that this will come through, and if it does, it will be a significant achievement for the state,” he added.
The living root bridges, created from the aerial roots of rubber trees, represent indigenous knowledge and sustainable practices. The government views the UNESCO nomination as a step toward bringing global attention to the structures and promoting sustainable tourism in Meghalaya.
