The nomination reflects eight years of collaboration involving 63 villages, 42 cooperatives, and 120+ living root bridges, showcasing a united, community-driven stewardship of heritage. Conrad K Sangma, Chief Minister
Shillong, Jan 29: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for the nomination of Meghalaya’s iconic “Jingkieng Jri” (Living Root Bridge) for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
In a video statement issued on Thursday, the Chief Minister said, “Friends, as you all aware, Jingkieng Jri or the Living Root Bridge has been sent as the official nomination of the government of India for the UNESCO World Heritage site. I take this opportunity to thank the Prime Minister as well as the Minister for Culture for considering our nomination.”
The nomination dossier, titled “Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape, Meghalaya,” was formally submitted in Paris by India’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Vishal V Sharma, to Lazare Assomo Eloundou, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre.
Hailing the nomination from the country a “historic milestone” for Meghalaya, Sangma in his submission to the Prime Minister, said submission of Jingkieng Jri for inscription on UNESCO World Heritage List marks a landmark moment for the state and its people.
Sangma said the nomination reflects eight years of collaboration involving 63 villages, 42 cooperatives, and 120+ living root bridges, showcasing a united, community-driven stewardship of heritage.
Sangma also emphasized that the site represents an interwoven system of forests, rivers, pathways, customs, and ecological practices, demonstrating an exceptional relationship between people and nature in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
“Rooted in the values of collaboration, love, respect, trust, and hard work, this landscape offers a powerful example of climate resilience, where human ingenuity and ecological wisdom coexist in Harmony,” he said.
