Laitkynsew (Meghalaya), July 12 -- Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman today visited the iconic living root bridge at Siej village in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district.
During her visit, the Finance Minister interacted with village elders, local leaders, and beneficiaries of the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) programme, an initiative supported by the World Bank, KFW, and ADB, to understand how indigenous communities are preserving and innovating age-old ecological practices.
Addressing the residents of Siej village, Sitharaman expressed her deep appreciation for the traditional knowledge systems that have been preserved over generations in Meghalaya.
"I thank the entire village community...