Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, during her recent visit to Siej village in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, highlighted the significance of the state’s famed living root bridges.
Constructed by guiding and intertwining the aerial roots of rubber trees across rivers, these natural structures are more than a local marvel; they represent a powerful testament to environmentally conscious living.
“For over a hundred years, you’ve preserved a culture that respects nature and promotes sustainability — even building bridges without harming trees,” Finance Minister Sitharaman remarked.
She praised the people of Siej for their alignment with nature, noting that these practices embody the kind of sustainable solutions the world urgently seeks today.
“At a time when the world is searching for sustainable answers, the people of Siej have already shown what’s possible,” she said.
Preserving heritage & seeking global recognition
The Finance Minister also expressed admiration for the community’s efforts to document and protect their unique heritage.
She supported their aspirations for UNESCO recognition of the living root bridges, noting, “Recognition is not for showing off, but for showing the world that you did it first.”
She further added that such traditional ecological practices not only work but are also replicable globally.
Sitharaman emphasised that the bridges, which grow stronger with time, stand as metaphors for sustainability, evolving naturally without disturbing the surrounding ecosystems.
FM Sitharaman commended village elders who have nurtured these bridges for decades, calling their devotion ‘a true example of living with nature’.
Their commitment, she said, perfectly reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a lifestyle rooted in sustainability and harmony with the environment.
Additionally, she reaffirmed the central government’s commitment to promoting nature-based and traditional solutions at global forums, underscoring the importance of indigenous knowledge systems in tackling modern ecological challenges.
Following her visit to Siej, the Finance Minister travelled to Sohbar, a picturesque border village in the same district, under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP).
She emphasised that the nation should view such border villages not as the end, but as the beginning.
“These villages are the eyes and ears of the country and deserve priority development,” she stated.
Sitharaman announced four key development areas for Sohbar and similar villages: improved road infrastructure, digital and telecom connectivity, television access, and reliable electricity.
She also shared that the second phase of the VVP now extends to India’s eastern border regions, including Meghalaya.
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