Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday, 25 May 2026 expressed pride as Hally War, a lifelong custodian of the state's iconic living root bridges, received the Padma Shri — India's fourth-highest civilian honour — from President Droupadi Murmu at a formal investiture ceremony.

Context

Sharing his reaction on social media, CM Sangma wrote that he was 'honoured to witness' the conferment, describing Hally War — referred to affectionately as Bah Hally, a term of respect in Khasi — as someone who has 'devoted decades of his life to weaving and nurturing our iconic living root bridges.' The Chief Minister recalled a personal trek to Siej village in Meghalaya where he had 'the privilege of witnessing these remarkable living structures' and was 'deeply inspired by Bah Hally's immense knowledge, quiet dedication, and profound respect for the environment.'

Living root bridges are unique bio-engineering structures grown over generations from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees (Ficus elastica) by the Khasi and Jaintia communities of Meghalaya. Some bridges take 15 to 30 years to become fully functional and can last for centuries, representing a rare confluence of indigenous ecological knowledge and practical infrastructure.

Policy Backdrop

The Padma awards have periodically shone a spotlight on artisans, knowledge holders, and environmental stewards from Northeast India, fitting a broader pattern of central government recognition for indigenous and tribal heritage. Meghalaya's state tourism policy has, since the mid-2010s, promoted living root bridges as flagship eco-tourism assets, with Siej village and the double-decker bridge near Nongriat drawing visitors from across the country and abroad.

Such national honours also reinforce coordination between regional governments and the centre on heritage matters. The National People's Party (NPP), which CM Sangma leads as national president, has consistently positioned cultural preservation and eco-tourism as pillars of Meghalaya's development identity.

Stakeholders and Impact

The recognition carries significance well beyond a single individual. For the Khasi community and heritage conservationists, the Padma Shri validates decades of quiet, unglamorous work — maintaining living structures that require continuous tending, training young hands, and resisting the encroachment of modern materials. CM Sangma noted that Bah Hally's journey 'reminds us that true nation-building also lies in preserving our heritage, protecting nature, and passing on traditions that define who we are.'

Eco-tourism operators, local guides, and village communities around root bridge sites in the East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills districts stand to benefit from the heightened national and international attention that a Padma award typically generates for a craft or practice.

What's Next

The award is likely to renew calls for a formal state-level documentation and conservation programme for root bridges, including mapping lesser-known structures and training younger community members in the traditional techniques. Observers will watch whether the Meghalaya government follows the recognition with concrete tourism infrastructure announcements — better trail access, interpretation centres, or community-managed homestay schemes — at key root bridge sites. CM Sangma's public endorsement signals that the state administration views such heritage stewardship as central to its governance narrative going forward.