In a major recognition of grassroots ecological conservation, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award upon Meghalaya’s Hally War. The honor celebrates his decades-long dedication to preserving the state’s iconic living root bridges, locally known as Jingkieng Jri.
Hailing from Siej village in the East Khasi Hills, War has spent his life nurturing the aerial roots of Ficus elastica (rubber fig) trees. He learned this ancient craft as a child from his grandfather, guiding young roots across streams and ravines to form sturdy, natural structures capable of surviving Meghalaya’s intense monsoon seasons. Over the years, his passion evolved from a childhood pastime into a lifelong mission to maintain these bridges and teach younger generations how to protect the surrounding ecosystem.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who witnessed the ceremony, expressed immense pride and recalled a previous visit to War’s village. Sangma praised War’s profound respect for the environment, stating that true nation-building lies in preserving heritage and protecting nature. War himself has noted that these living structures take years to mature, warning that they represent an irreplaceable cultural identity that concrete simply cannot replicate.
This national recognition arrives at a pivotal moment. The spotlight on War’s invaluable work significantly boosts India’s efforts to secure a UNESCO World Heritage inscription for the Jingkieng Jri cultural landscape during the 2026–27 evaluation cycle. The award underscores the global importance of indigenous, sustainable engineering in an era of rapid climate change.