Meghalaya’s UNESCO Bid: Living Root Bridges (Jingkieng Jri) — A Unique Cultural and Ecological Heritage
India has formally submitted the nomination dossier for Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges, locally known as Jingkieng Jri, to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris for consideration in the 2026–27 World Heritage list cycle. This is a landmark moment in recognising one of the most remarkable examples of indigenous ecological knowledge, community-based conservation, and nature-sustainable engineering anywhere in the world.
Spanning the southern slopes of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills in northeastern India, the nominated property reflects centuries of human-nature interaction where local communities have continuously shaped and maintained bio-engineered bridges using the roots of living trees. Unlike conventional heritage sites that reflect built architecture alone, the Living Root Bridges embody a living landscape — a symbiotic cultural and natural phenomenon deeply rooted in tribal ethics, ecology, and community cooperation.
What Are the Living Root Bridges?
The Living Root Bridges are extraordinary structures created by the indigenous Khasi and Jaintia tribes of Meghalaya by harnessing the unique growth characteristics of the Ficus elastica tree (Indian rubber fig).
Unlike typical bridges made from wood, stone, or metal, these living bridges are grown, not constructed. Young aerial roots of the Ficus elastica tree are guided across streams and rivers using bamboo or areca palm scaffolding. Over 10–25 years or more, the roots thicken, intertwine, and fuse, eventually forming stable, load-bearing bridges that continue to grow stronger over decades and even centuries.
The Ficus elastica species is particularly suited for this purpose due to its robust aerial root system and flexibility, which enables roots to be trained and shaped by human caregivers without harming the tree. As the roots grow and strengthen, the bridges become more resilient to heavy monsoon flows, landslides, and other extreme weather conditions prevalent in Meghalaya — known as one of the wettest places on Earth.
Why the UNESCO Nomination Matters
The submission of the “Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape, Meghalaya” nomination dossier by India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO marks a significant step towards recognising these bridges as a World Heritage Site. The nomination highlights several distinctive characteristics:
Community-Led Conservation
The Living Root Bridges are not isolated monuments but an expression of living cultural landscapes continuously shaped by the practices and ecological stewardship of the Khasi and Jaintia tribal communities. These communities have followed traditional governance systems and land-use practices over centuries, fostering a philosophy of respect, reciprocity, and responsibility towards nature (Mei Ramew or Mother Earth) in their daily life.
Sustainable Engineering & Ecological Wisdom
The bridges exemplify nature-based solutions that the local people developed to overcome terrain challenges, where heavy rainfall, steep hills, and fast-flowing streams made conventional infrastructure impractical. These bio-engineered structures are carbon-sequestering, self-repairing, and remarkably durable, with some estimates suggesting they can last for hundreds of years under active care. Their resilience to climatic extremes offers a powerful model for sustainable infrastructure globally.
Cultural Continuity and Indigenous Knowledge
The techniques used to grow these bridges are passed down through generations, often through community rituals, shared labour, and intergenerational learning. As such, the bridges are a living testament to indigenous knowledge systems, where environmental harmony and cultural identity are deeply interwoven. By seeking a World Heritage status, India aims to safeguard this intangible cultural heritage and bring global recognition to traditional ecological practices that embody sustainability and community resilience.
National and Local Support
State and central governments, tribal leaders, conservation experts, and even international bodies have backed the nomination. Meghalaya’s Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, has emphasised the historic significance of the submission and the role of over 60 villages and 42 local cooperatives in managing these bridges. Institutional support from the Archaeological Survey of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Prime Minister’s Office demonstrates India’s commitment to preserving this living heritage.
Historical and Cultural Context
The practice of growing living root bridges is rooted in necessity and innovation. In the steep, monsoon-soaked terrain of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, building conventional bridges using wood or stone was difficult due to frequent landslides and decay. Over centuries, tribal communities developed the expertise to guide the aerial roots of Ficus elastica across rivers and valleys, transforming nature into durable, load-bearing pathways.
This practice also reflects a deep cultural worldview where humans and nature are seen as interdependent and interconnected, with the environment integrated into local spiritual and social life. Structures like Jingkieng Jri are inseparable from the cultural landscape, embodying local myths, communal cooperation, and ecological ethics.
Implications for Conservation and Tourism
Recognition by UNESCO would elevate the global profile of Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges and help attract sustainable tourism while ensuring stronger conservation mechanisms. A World Heritage status could also bring increased funding for research, community training, and habitat preservation, further strengthening local capacity to maintain these structures in the face of climate change and modernisation pressures.
Importantly, it underscores the value of bio-cultural diversity — where cultural practices and ecological systems are conserved together — shifting the focus from static monuments to living, dynamic landscapes.
UPSC Exam Relevance
Prelims:
Candidates should remember that the Living Root Bridges (Jingkieng Jri) have been formally submitted by India for UNESCO World Heritage status, the tree species involved (Ficus elastica), and the tribal communities associated.
Mains (GS Paper I & GS Paper III):
The topic links to themes such as cultural heritage protection, indigenous knowledge systems, sustainable infrastructure, and community-based conservation, making it suitable for questions on heritage preservation, ecological sustainability, and tribal knowledge in India.
Conclusion
The UNESCO nomination of Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges (Jingkieng Jri) is a significant step in global heritage conservation. It brings attention to a remarkable human-nature partnership where indigenous communities have nurtured living infrastructure over centuries. As the nomination proceeds through the World Heritage Committee’s review, the bridges stand as a powerful symbol of sustainability, cultural resilience, and ecological wisdom — a heritage not just of India, but of humanity.
FAQs
What are Living Root Bridges?
Living Root Bridges are bio-engineered bridges grown from the aerial roots of the Ficus elastica tree by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes of Meghalaya.
What is Jingkieng Jri?
Jingkieng Jri is the local Khasi term for Living Root Bridges, meaning bridges formed from living tree roots.
Which tree species is used to create Living Root Bridges?
The bridges are created using the Ficus elastica tree, also known as the Indian rubber fig, which has strong and flexible aerial roots.
Why has India nominated Living Root Bridges for UNESCO status?
India has nominated them for their unique combination of cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, sustainable engineering, and community-based conservation practices.
Which communities are associated with Living Root Bridges?
The Khasi and Jaintia tribal communities of Meghalaya are traditionally responsible for growing, maintaining, and conserving these bridges.
Why are Living Root Bridges considered sustainable?
They are self-strengthening, climate-resilient, carbon-sequestering, and can last for centuries with minimal external resources.
How is this topic relevant for UPSC Prelims?
Aspirants should know the UNESCO nomination, location in Meghalaya, associated tribes, and the Ficus elastica tree species.
How is it relevant for UPSC Mains?
It is relevant under GS Paper I (Culture and Heritage), GS Paper III (Environment and Sustainability), and topics like indigenous knowledge systems and community participation in conservation.
