Karnataka media team visits living root bridges
REGIONAL: A media team from Karnataka Friday visited Siej village in Meghalaya to interact with Hally War, a notable environmentalist recently awarded the Padma Shri for his work in indigenous bioengineering. The visit was part of a Press Tour by the PIB.
At nearly 69 years old War has dedicated his life to preserving the traditional Khasi practice of constructing living root bridges a sustainable form of indigenous architecture. He began learning this technique at the age of ten, carefully guiding tree roots through hollowed bamboo or trunk structures over decades, which requires significant time and community participation.
During the interaction, he shared that it took nearly 50 years to develop the current form of the bridge, emphasizing the importance of communal effort in its construction and maintenance. War expressed gratitude for his health and ability to continue improving the bridge highlighting its essential role during the monsoon season as a vital connection between villages.
His son, Willingson, expressed pride in following his father's legacy, noting the practical significance of living root bridges in emergency situations.
The visit included a felicitation ceremony by officials from the Press Information Bureau, and the media team appreciated the scenic beauty of Siej village, which is characterized by steep hills and the ecological appeal of the living root bridge, a testament to sustainable development and human-nature harmony.