Union Finance Minister Applauds Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges, Calls for Global Heritage Status

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her recent visit to Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, praised the iconic “living root bridges” of Siej village as a powerful symbol of ecological wisdom and sustainable living. These unique natural structures, formed by guiding the aerial roots of rubber trees into usable bridges over decades, have become an emblem of the local community’s harmony with nature.

In her interaction with the villagers, Sitharaman acknowledged their generational commitment to the environment, highlighting how their bridge-building technique sustains the ecosystem without harming the trees. “For over a hundred years, you’ve built bridges that don’t harm trees. You’ve preserved a culture that respects nature and promotes sustainability,” she told them, adding that in today’s world, where sustainability is a major concern, Siej sets an inspiring example.

Sitharaman also endorsed the villagers’ pursuit of UNESCO World Heritage recognition for these living root bridges. She stressed that such global acknowledgment isn’t merely about prestige—it’s about showcasing the fact that indigenous communities have pioneered sustainable practices long before modern environmental movements emerged. “Recognition is not for showing off, but for showing the world that you did it first,” she remarked.

Referring to the bridges as "living metaphors for sustainability," Sitharaman noted how they grow stronger naturally over time, without disrupting local ecosystems. She praised the elders of Siej for carefully nurturing these structures over generations, calling their work “a true example of living with nature.” Their environmental ethos, she said, aligns perfectly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a sustainable lifestyle that works in harmony with the environment.

Reaffirming the central government’s commitment to promoting traditional and nature-based solutions on global platforms, Sitharaman emphasized the significance of indigenous knowledge systems in addressing the pressing environmental challenges of the modern era. She called for greater attention to such community-driven practices as practical and scalable models for sustainable development worldwide.

After her visit to Siej, the Finance Minister traveled to Sohbar, a picturesque village near the India-Bangladesh border, as part of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). Addressing the villagers there, she emphasized the strategic importance of border villages, stating, “These villages are the eyes and ears of the country and deserve priority development.” She called for a shift in perspective, encouraging people to view border villages not as the end points of the nation but as its frontlines.

Sitharaman outlined four key focus areas for the development of Sohbar and other similar villages: enhanced road connectivity, robust digital and telecom infrastructure, improved television access, and stable electricity supply. She also revealed that the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme now includes India’s eastern border regions, such as parts of Meghalaya, broadening the government’s vision of inclusive and strategic rural development.

Overall, Sitharaman’s visit highlighted the need to preserve traditional ecological practices and emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering border communities with modern infrastructure and global recognition.