By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 12: In a world grappling with climate crisis and unsustainable growth, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said Meghalaya’s living root bridges offer a profound, homegrown solution where nature is not conquered but collaborated with.
Addressing a gathering at Siej village, she described the centuries-old practice of growing bridges from living trees as a global benchmark in ecological resilience and indigenous innovation.
During her visit to the iconic root bridge at Siej village, Sitharaman interacted with village elders, local leaders and beneficiaries of the Payment for Ecosystem Services programme, an initiative supported by the World Bank, KFW and ADB. The programme recognises and supports communities that have preserved and innovated ecological practices rooted in tradition.
“I thank the entire village community for having upheld the spirit of living in this dense green environment,” she said. “For over a hundred years, you have maintained a culture that respects nature and fosters sustainable mobility—even finding ways to connect across rivers without violating the living trees.”
She described the practice as extraordinary, stating, “At a time when the world is searching for sustainable solutions, the people of Siej have shown what is possible through simple, nature-aligned practices. You have found a way to survive, move and grow without harming your surroundings. It’s extraordinary how local indigenous solutions can serve as global examples.”
Sitharaman also voiced support for the community’s ongoing efforts to document and seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the bridges. “Recognition is not for showing off, but for showing the world that you did it first. Your practices are not only effective, they’re replicable. Global recognition will help inspire others.”
She paid tribute to the community’s elders, who have passed down the knowledge across generations, and expressed admiration for their continued care of the bridges.
“This is a classic example of living with nature and doing the maximum. I feel truly blessed to meet this community, particularly the elder who has been nurturing this living bridge. The symbolic gesture of adding nutrition to the roots was not just personal, it was inspirational,” Sitharaman said.
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the bridges, she said the community’s lifestyle embodies the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has long championed an environmentally conscious way of life.
“The Prime Minister has often urged us to adopt a lifestyle that is in harmony with the environment. The living root bridges of Meghalaya are living proof that such a vision is already being realised by our indigenous people,” she said.
Her visit reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to promoting traditional ecological knowledge, supporting community-led conservation, and positioning nature-based solutions at the heart of sustainable development efforts.