Ashhar Alam | New Delhi

India has formally submitted the nomination dossier of Meghalaya’s iconic living root bridges to UNESCO in Paris, aiming for their inclusion in the World Heritage List 2026-27, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced on Thursday.

The dossier was handed over by India’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Vishal V. Sharma, to Lazare Assomo Eloundou, Director of the World Heritage Centre. Expressing hope for a successful inscription, Sangma said, “We are optimistic that the living root bridges will gain global recognition this year, honoring the indigenous communities who have safeguarded this living heritage for generations.”

Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges (Jingkieng Jri) dossier has been formally submitted to UNESCO in Paris by India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO for consideration for inclusion in the World Heritage List 2026–27.

Sharma acknowledged the collective support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Meghalaya government, officers of the Archaeological Survey of India, and local communities in preparing the nomination. He highlighted the crucial role of Meghalaya Principal Secretary Frederick Kharkongor, experts, and the custodians of this heritage.

Spread across the southern slopes of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, the living root bridges represent a unique cultural landscape shaped over centuries by the Khasi and Jaintia communities. The landscape exemplifies a harmonious relationship between people, nature, and spirituality, embodied in traditional land-use practices, governance, and ecological stewardship.

ALSO READ: I received my wages for hard work of decades: Ghafruddin on Padma Shri

The nomination reflects an indigenous worldview rooted in respect, reciprocity, and responsibility toward Mei Ramew (Mother Earth). It underscores India’s commitment to preserving living cultural traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, and advancing global heritage conservation through UNESCO.

If approved, the bridges will not only receive international recognition but also highlight the ingenuity of Meghalaya’s communities in blending ecological wisdom with cultural heritage, ensuring the survival of this extraordinary legacy for generations to come.