NEWS WAVE INDIA: The Director of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Dr Dhriti Banerjee has put thrust on the importance of faunal diversity and preparing health cards for Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya for meeting the UNESCO criteria to get its tag. The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya highlights socio-cultural links between people and nature. Recently, the Meghalaya Government organised a preparatory field visit of ZSI scientists to assess the community and science-based conservation, research and development of Living Root Bridge (Jingkien Jri) Cultural Landscape of Meghalaya and a national convention at State Convention Centre, Shillong.

At that convention, The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K Sangma sought for having the UNESCO nomination for these Living Root Bridges which support many birds, animals, lichen, mushrooms, flowers, trees, serving its simple purpose while allowing the humans to cross over them for their living. Speaking at the event, Prof. K. Vijay Raghavan, the Principal Scientific Advisor to Government of India said that the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya which highlights the socio-cultural, social and botanical links among people and Nature is well deserving of the tag of UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the rich micro as well as the macro world associated with the Jingkieng Jri, which will also initiate the need for their preservation and conservation. Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, ZSI highlighted importance of faunal diversity to meet criteria IX and X of UNESCO and preparing health cards for Living Root Bridges.

The team ZSI visited East Khashi Hill, Meghalaya for assessment of faunal diversity in the Living Root Bridge sites from 14th to 20th December 2021. Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, ZSI (Team Leader) planned execution of the Living Root Bridge survey and Dr. Bikarmjit Sinha, Scientist E, North Eastern Regional Centre, ZSI served as the Field Coordinator. The team comprised Dr. Rifat Raina, Scientist D, Desert Regional Centre; Dr. Anil Kumar Dubey, Scientist D, Andman and Nicobar Regional Centre, Port Blair; Dr. Devi Shankar Suman, Scientist D, Hqrs, Kolkata, Dr. Manpreet Singh Pandhar, Scientist C, Hqrs, Kolkata; Dr. T. Kubendran, High Altitude Regional Centre, Solan; Dr. Rahul Joshi, Scientist C, Gangetic Plains Regional Centre, Patna; Dr. Uttam Saikia, Scientist C and Dr. Dhimas from North Eastern Regional Centre, Shillong.

The team documented 83 fauna (six mammals, five aquatic, 72 terrestrial) from the 11 Living Root Bridges (Wah Sohot, Umlyngoh, Kutsiej, IapPaka, Tyrpa Mawloh, Jri Lyntang, Mawsiang Oyrdi, Wah Mynrieng Rit, Wah Salang, Wah Rithang, Nohwet). Six species of mammals were reported for the first time from two bridges. A fruit bat Macroglossus sobrinus K Anderson was found with seeds in spit and seemed to be a potential seed disperser, which needed further investigation. Entomofaunal diversity includes eight orders (two Aquatic, six Terrestrial) within the radius of 200 metre of Living Root Bridges assessed. Ades albopictus, a vector of viral diseases identified and stone holes in Living Root Bridge streams were found containing mosquito larvae. Among pollinators, a bumble bee, Bombus Haemorrhoidalis Smith and five Aphis bees were observed in the surroundings of Ficus tree. The sap-sucking insects included two Ficus feeding whiteflies from Living Root Bridge trees and one Phyrochoridae. A Living Root Bridge site, Nohwet, a famous tourist destination, was observed having more diversity of butterflies, dragonflies and aquatic insects than other Living Root Bridges. No infestation of Isoptera (termites) was observed in any of the root bridges. Spider webs were visible on tree trunks.

Living Root Bridge survey revealed the presence of five species (35 examples) of Ephemeroptera belonging to three genera in three families) also. Hence, the expedition to Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya helped to explore the faunal diversity for providing supporting data towards the recognition of these bridges as UNESCO World Heritage site by strengthening the proposal with inputs of biodiversity and ecosystem services of these biological bridges.