SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, accompanied by Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, PHE Minister Marcuise N. Marak, and other cabinet members, along with officials from various government departments, undertook a 20 km bus ride and trek to visit Siej village in the Shella Bholaganj block of East Khasi Hills.
The trek to Siej village was undertaken to view the Umkar Living Root Bridge and meet Hally War, the visionary who pioneered the weaving of this natural marvel.
In his address to community members and project leaders, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of the Living Root Bridge, a vital aspect of local culture for over 300 years.
The unique bridge, built by the village’s forefathers, stands as a symbol of sustainable architecture and community-driven development.
He said, “The wisdom of our ancestors led to the creation of this beautiful and functional bridge,” and added, “It’s remarkable how the community has come together to preserve this tradition, ensuring that the younger generation learns to carry it forward.”
Hally War, the village headman and the visionary behind the living root bridge at Siej Village, began weaving the bridge as a young boy and has served as the headman of the village for nearly 40 years.
He spoke about his lifelong commitment to maintaining the structure, saying, “At around 10 years old, I saw the difficulty people faced while crossing the river. It became clear to me that something lasting and sustainable had to be done. The idea came from my grandparents, who shared stories about the strength of living roots.”
The Chief Minister praised the ongoing efforts to maintain the bridge and acknowledged the challenges faced by the community in preserving the ancient art of weaving bridges.
The Chief Minister added, “This project shows the patience and dedication required to create something sustainable. It’s a testament to the wisdom passed down through generations.”
During the visit, the Chief Minister also announced new infrastructure projects to improve connectivity in the region, including the construction of new roads and the upgrading of school buildings. He said, “The government is committed to addressing the needs of rural communities.”
He stated, “We have decided to sanction a new road to improve access for farmers and residents, and we are working on building new school facilities to ensure that future generations have better educational opportunities.” He also spoke about the potential for tourism development in the region.
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