Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges – UNESCO World Heritage Bid

Art and Culture of NE

Initiative:
The Meghalaya Government has launched a formal bid to secure UNESCO World Heritage recognition for the state’s living root bridges.

Key Stakeholders:

Meghalaya Arts and Culture Department

UNESCO

INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage)

Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA)

Purpose:
First structured effort to document and preserve these unique bioengineered structures.

Location:
Found primarily in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills regions of Meghalaya.

Significance:

Centuries-old indigenous engineering marvels.

Made by guiding roots of rubber trees (Ficus elastica) across streams using bamboo and betel nut trunks.

Bridges are functional for over 100 years.

Symbol of community-led environmental adaptation and sustainable architecture.