Shillong: A delegation from Meghalaya, led by Art and Culture Minister Paul Lyngdoh, has visited Paris advocating for the recognition of the state’s iconic living root bridges as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
During their visit, the delegation on Friday presented a detailed overview of the living root bridges (LRB) to UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General Ernesto Ottone.
Minister Lyngdoh emphasized Meghalaya’s commitment to global cultural and educational cooperation.
The delegation also met Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference.
Lyngdoh stressed the significance of garnering support to elevate the Living Root Bridges, which are currently listed as a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site.
He discussed potential partnerships with UNESCO to explore digital archiving and other cultural initiatives.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Miculescu said, “Pleased to welcome an Indian delegation led by Mr. Bah Paul Lyngdoh, Minister for Social Welfare, Tourism, Arts, Culture and Textiles of the #Meghalaya State, known as the Abode of Clouds, that falls in one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world. Fascinating encounter!”
The delegation visited the UNESCO Archives along with Vishal V Sharma, Ambassador & Permanent Delegate of India to UNESCO.
The Meghalaya delegation was accorded warm welcome by Nicholas Jeffreys, Assistant Director General for Administration and Management, UNESCO, and Omar Baig, Chief Information and Technology Officer, UNESCO, along with the Archives Team.
Minister Lyngdoh highlighted Meghalaya’s alignment with UNESCO’s mission to promote international understanding and peace.
“We also delved into UNESCO’s rich history, including the International Institute for Intellectual Cooperation (IIIC), which played a key role in fostering global intellectual exchange under the League of Nations,” the minister said.
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The delegation was taken on a guided tour of the Archives, which showcased the vast collection of documents and audio recordings dating back to the League of Nations era.
The delegation included key officials from Meghalaya’s Department of Arts & Culture, including FR Kharkongor, Principal Secretary, Department of Arts & Culture; FM Dopth, Secretary, Department of Arts & Culture; DD Shira, Director, Department of Arts & Culture, and MY Tham, Convener, INTACH Meghalaya Chapter, amongst others.
