Rooted in Love, Guided by Respect, Built on Trust, Driven by Hard Work, United in Purpose.
Syrwet U Barim
Heritage (Refined & Rewritten)
Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai: Living Architecture rooted in Harmony
We are Syrwet U Barim, a community-led federation representing over 42 primary cooperatives across 63+ villages in the subtropical forests of Meghalaya. Our mission is to safeguard the Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai (Living Root Bridges) and their surrounding cultural landscapes. Grown from the living aerial roots of Ficus elastica (rubber fig trees) over generations, these botanical structures represent a profound, centuries-old philosophy of human–nature reciprocity and climate resilience in one of the wettest places on Earth.
Formed in 2018 in collaboration with village elders, traditional dorbars, and local authorities, the Federation bridges ancestral wisdom with modern policy. Through initiatives under the Community-led Landscape Management Program (CLLMP), our collective stewardship helped secure the inclusion of the Jingkieng Jri Cultural Landscape on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, driving India’s official nomination for full World Heritage recognition.
Syrwet U Barim
Livelihood
Sustaining Communities through Ecological Stewardship
In the Jingkieng Jri landscape, conservation and economic well-being grow together. We empower indigenous families, women, and youth through sustainable local enterprises that honour traditional knowledge. From managing native plant nurseries (‘Per Sara) and harvesting pure forest honey to practicing traditional bamboo crafting, weaving, and operating community homestays (Ïing Mariang), our green livelihoods prove that protecting living heritage directly enriches local economies.
Syrwet U Barim
Research
Bridging Indigenous Wisdom and Ecological Science
By collaborating with academic institutions, scientists, and botanical researchers, we unite traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) with contemporary science. Our research projects document the bio-engineering mechanisms of Ficus elastica roots, study biodiversity within surrounding sacred groves, and evaluate natural climate adaptation models. This continuous learning strengthens ecosystem health and informs international dialogue on commons-based resource management.
Syrwet U Barim
Culture
A Sacred Tapestry of Land, Story, and Spirit
The living root bridges are more than physical crossings; they embody Jingkieng Ksiar—the sacred bond linking people, nature, and the divine. Culture in our landscape is alive in the oral traditions passed down by elders, seasonal community festivals, and traditional music and dance. Through intergenerational storytelling, workshops, and hands-on apprenticeship, we keep the art of root-guided architecture and indigenous lore thriving for generations to come.
Syrwet U Barim
Community
Grassroots Governance and Shared Stewardship
At the core of Syrwet U Barim is the spirit of collective cooperation (Iatrei Lang). Uniting over 40 village cooperatives and traditional institutions across the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, our federation operates on democratic community dialogue. By prioritizing inclusive decision-making, empowering youth as eco-guides, and supporting women-led initiatives, we build social resilience and nurture a shared responsibility as custodians of Mother Earth.
Syrwet U Barim
Sustainability
Climate Resilience in Harmony with Nature
Living root bridges are natural, self-strengthening infrastructures that withstand severe monsoons, flash floods, and landslides where steel and concrete fail. Supported by the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), our sustainability model focuses on holistic landscape regeneration—restoring natural waterways, establishing native tree nurseries, preventing soil erosion, and preserving fragile forest biomes for long-term ecological balance.
Syrwet U Barim
Tourism
Ki Dienjat Ka Riti: Responsible & Immersive Journeys
We invite travelers to experience our living heritage through Ki Dienjat Ka Riti—our community-led eco-tourism initiative. Walk along ancient forest footpaths (Lynti Syngkien), stay in authentic community-run nature homes (Ïing Mariang), and taste indigenous cuisine cooked with local produce. By practicing low-impact, respectful travel, every visitor directly contributes to village conservation funds and supports the custodians of these living wonders.
In the heart of our land lives the Jingkieng Ksiar (Golden Bridge) and in the hearts of our people lives the Mynsiem Ksiar (Golden Soul) – an unbroken link connecting us to our heritage, to the Indigenous wisdom, knowledge and belief of the Hynñiewtrep – Hynñiewasa people. This sacred link preserves our sense of being, our sense of duty, and our sense of direction amidst the churn of the contemporary world.
The Jingkieng Ksiar links man, nature, and the divine, and lives on within the Mynsiem Ksiar of our people. From Ka Soti Juk (the Age of Truth) to the present day, this link has passed from one generation to the next, and guided our collective conscience and consciousness. It has nurtured our way of life. This sacred essence is reflected in the way we honour the stones, rivers, forests and all living elements of our landscape. From sacred rituals to everyday practices, our expressions of gratitude and celebration toward the Divine and Mother Nature are woven into the very fabric of our lives.
To have the Mynsiem Ksiar is to hold a deep understanding of oneself and one’s environment, to walk in balance and harmony with fellow human beings, nature, and the spiritual realm. This relationship is not one of ownership, but of belonging. We do not inherit the land; we belong to it as caretakers of Ka Mei Ramew (Mother Earth).
Each root that binds a Jingkieng Jri, each leaf that dances in the forest, each sacred stone that makes our trail, carries the breath of our ancestors. As long as the Mynsiem Ksiar continues to glow within us, our spirit and feeling for our land and our community will continue – strong, sacred, and eternal.
Highlights
Community-led Activities
Activities
Bamboo Crafting
Sustainable creations
rooted in tradition
Indigenous Food
Flavours that carry heritage
and community wisdom
Honey Production
Pure, natural harvest
from the forests
What happens when
Communities Lead the Way?
Rooted in Heritage, Growing through Community, Sustaining Nature and Livelihoods.