Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 28 June spotlighted Meghalaya's iconic living root bridges during his monthly radio address 'Mann Ki Baat', calling them a priceless national heritage and confirming that India has formally applied for their inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Site network. The Prime Minister praised local communities and conservation champions for safeguarding the centuries-old natural structures against the pressures of climate change.

What Makes the Living Root Bridges Unique

Unlike conventional bridges built from timber or steel, Meghalaya's living root bridges are painstakingly shaped over several decades by guiding the aerial roots of rubber trees across streams until they intertwine and solidify into load-bearing spans. Modi described them as structures that 'continue to grow stronger with time,' reflecting, in his words, 'the creativity, patience and deep respect for nature of the people of Meghalaya.'

The bridges are concentrated in the East Khasi Hills and surrounding regions, embedded in one of the wettest ecosystems on Earth. Their construction and maintenance is an intergenerational practice passed down within indigenous Khasi and Jaintia communities.

Community-Led Conservation Effort

Modi highlighted that local residents took the initiative to identify and catalogue the bridges when no comprehensive record existed. Today, community teams maintain more than 120 living root bridges, conducting annual structural inspections and running nurseries to reinforce the surrounding forest ecosystem.

The Prime Minister singled out Padma awardee Hally War for dedicating more than five decades to the preservation of the bridges, calling his commitment 'an inspiration for the nation.' War's work exemplifies the grassroots stewardship that Modi credited with keeping the structures alive amid mounting environmental pressures.

UNESCO World Heritage Bid

India's formal application to nominate the living root bridges as a UNESCO World Heritage Site marks a significant step toward global recognition. A successful listing would place them alongside landmarks such as the Kaziranga National Park and the Western Ghats on UNESCO's roster, potentially boosting conservation funding and responsible tourism in the region.

Notably, Meghalaya has long attracted attention for its biodiversity and rainfall records, but the root bridges have historically received limited policy focus at the national level. Modi's public endorsement from a prime-time national platform signals a shift in that regard.

Modi's Call to Citizens

The Prime Minister urged listeners who have visited the root bridges to share photographs on social media, arguing that citizen-driven awareness would encourage wider appreciation of Meghalaya's natural and cultural heritage. He also praised the state more broadly, noting its reputation for scenic landscapes and the hospitality of its people.

With the UNESCO nomination in motion and community conservation structures already in place, the coming months will determine whether Meghalaya's living root bridges earn the global recognition that conservationists have long sought.