Guwahati, July 13 -- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday visited Siej village in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills, where she praised the community's iconic living root bridges as a symbol of sustainable living and ecological wisdom.

During her interaction with locals, Sitharaman highlighted how generations of villagers have skillfully shaped the aerial roots of rubber trees into natural bridges without damaging the environment. "For over a hundred years, you've built bridges that don't harm trees. You've preserved a culture that respects nature and promotes sustainability," she told the gathering.

Commending the villagers for their deep-rooted environmental ethos, the Finance Minister said their practices offer timely solu...