The UNESCO World Heritage Nomination Journey

The path toward global recognition for the Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape has been built on a synthesis of indigenous leadership, scientific research, and international policy.

• Scientific Framework & Research by Sanjeev Shankar
  A key contributor to establishing the global academic and technical framework for the living root bridges is researcher, architect, and designer Sanjeev Shankar.
  
  Starting in the 2010s, Shankar’s scientific documentation and publications—such as “Living Root Bridge as a Biome” – helped elevate these ancient structures from localized heritage into globally recognized models of bio-engineering ecosystems. His research systematically analyzed the botanical growth mechanisms, structural typologies, and ecological benefits of Ficus elastica networks. By advocating for a socio-scientific framework that links indigenous conservation with scientific rigor, Shankar’s work provided vital technical backing and baseline data that supported early documentation efforts for UNESCO recognition.
  
  
• Grassroots Mobilization & Federation Formation
  In 2018, the Syrwet U Barim federation was established, uniting more than 40 primary cooperatives, village Dorbars, and elders across 75+ villages. Partnering with the Government of Meghalaya and the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) under the Community-led Landscape Management Program (CLLMP), the federation institutionalized grassroots stewardship, ensuring conservation policies remained community-led.
  
  
• Inclusion on the UNESCO Tentative List (2022)
  In March 2022, the combined efforts of the local Khasi and Jaintia custodians, researchers, and government agencies bore fruit when the Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape was officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.
  
  
• Official Dossier Submission to UNESCO
  Following extensive field mapping, bio-cultural surveys, and community consultations, India formally submitted the official nomination dossier for the “Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape, Meghalaya” to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris for the 2026–27 evaluation cycle. The nomination highlights the landscape as an outstanding universal value, exemplifying indigenous climate resilience, sustainable architecture, and human-nature harmony.