Shillong: Hally War of Siej village in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills has said he never imagined that the work he carried out quietly in his village would one day receive recognition at the national level, as he reacts to being selected for the Padma Shri this year.
Calling the honour both humbling and encouraging, War said the award reflected a growing appreciation for traditional knowledge and practices rooted in harmony with nature.
He described the recognition as belonging not to him alone, but to the entire community that has protected and carried forward the tradition for generations.
“This honour belongs to my village and to our forefathers who taught us to live with nature, not against it,” War said, adding that he felt grateful that people were beginning to understand the true value of indigenous ecological wisdom.
War’s journey began in childhood, when a simple curiosity about guiding the roots of ficus trees gradually turned into a lifelong commitment to conservation.
Taught by his grandfather and inspired by village elders, he began weaving the aerial roots of Ficus elastica, or rubber fig trees, when he was barely 10 years old.
Over time, this age-old practice of bio-engineering resulted in living root bridges that can last for centuries and withstand the region’s heavy monsoon climate.
What started as a childhood pastime soon took on deeper meaning. War recalled that as children they treated the task almost like a game, helping roots grow in the right direction.
As he grew older, he came to understand that the living root bridges were not merely functional structures, but an essential part of the community’s identity and relationship with nature.
Last year, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma visited the living root bridge at Siej and highlighted its significance as a symbol of Meghalaya’s cultural heritage and ecological wisdom.
Congratulating War on being conferred the Padma Award 2026, Sangma described him as a true ambassador of the state’s traditions and sustainable way of life.
Recalling his first meeting with War, the chief minister said his deep respect for nature, vast knowledge, and strong sense of community made him a deserving recipient of the honour.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also visited the Siej living root bridge last year and praised the indigenous ecological practices followed by the community.
She noted that at a time when the world is searching for sustainable solutions, the people of the region had demonstrated what was possible by working alongside nature.
Over the years, War has played a key role in maintaining and strengthening several living root bridges in and around Siej, while also guiding younger villagers on protecting the surrounding ecosystem.
He emphasised that these bridges take many years to mature and require constant care, warning that neglect could lead to the loss of a heritage that cannot be replaced by concrete structures.
Meghalaya’s living root bridges, locally known as Jingkieng Jri, are found mainly in the southern slopes of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
Created by training the roots of rubber fig trees across rivers and ravines, the bridges form sturdy natural pathways over time and attract visitors from around the world.
The unique structures are currently on UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre Tentative List and have moved closer to official recognition following the submission of their nomination dossier, showcasing a rare blend of human ingenuity and nature.
