By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 4: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has nominated the Living Roots Bridges of Meghalaya for the UNESCO-Greece Melina Mercouri International Prize, recognising their efforts in cultural landscape conservation.
The nomination is being steered in collaboration with the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency and the Syrwet U Barim Mariang Jingkieng Jri Cooperative Federation Ltd, which represents 74 villages across Khasi-Jaintia Hills where the bridges form the heart of a living heritage that binds nature and culture in one seamless continuum.
The bridges, known locally as Jingkieng Jri, have been nurtured by Khasi-Jaintia communities for over two thousand years and provide ecological and socio-economic value.