SHILLONG, Jan 28: India has formally submitted the nomination dossier titled “Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape, Meghalaya” for consideration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 2026–27 evaluation cycle, marking a significant milestone for the state’s indigenous cultural heritage.

The dossier was submitted by H.E. Vishal V. Sharma, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO, to Lazare Assomo Eloundou, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre.

While submitting the nomination, Ambassador Sharma expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Principal Secretary F. R. Kharkongor, officers of the Archaeological Survey of India, the Ministry of External Affairs, subject experts, and the local indigenous communities who have safeguarded the landscape over generations.

Spread across the Khasi and Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, the nominated property represents an exceptional living cultural landscape shaped over centuries by the indigenous Khasi and Jaintia communities. It reflects a deeply rooted and harmonious relationship between people, nature, and spirituality, expressed through traditional systems of land use, governance, and ecological stewardship.

At the heart of the landscape lies an indigenous worldview grounded in the principles of respect, reciprocity, and responsibility towards Mei Ramew (Mother Earth), underscoring sustainable coexistence with the natural environment.

The submission of the nomination dossier highlights India’s commitment to recognising and preserving its cultural and natural heritage, particularly the living traditions and knowledge systems of indigenous communities. It also reinforces the country’s engagement with global heritage conservation efforts through UNESCO.

If inscribed, the Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape would become a landmark recognition of Meghalaya’s unique cultural identity on the world stage.