Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges Nominated for UNESCO List

• 30 Jan 2026

In January 2026, India formally submitted the nomination dossier of Meghalaya’s living root bridges, titled “Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape”, to UNESCO for the 2026–27 World Heritage evaluation cycle.

• The dossier was submitted by India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Vishal V. Sharma, to the Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, Lazare Assomo Eloundou.
• The nominated cultural landscape spans the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, representing a centuries-old living tradition maintained by indigenous Khasi and Jaintia communities.
• The living root bridges reflect an exceptional example of human–nature harmony, rooted in traditional land management, community governance and sustainable ecological practices.
• Central to the tradition is reverence for Mei Ramew (Mother Earth), symbolising coexistence with nature through bio-engineered living infrastructure.
• The submission acknowledges the role of national and state leadership, the Archaeological Survey of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, and local communities in safeguarding this heritage.