UNESCO & Sikkim collaborates to preserve Lepcha cane bridge tradition

GANGTOK, : In a significant step toward cultural preservation, UNESCO has partnered with the Government of Sikkim to document and recognize the Lepcha traditional cane bridge, or Ru-Soam—a living symbol of indigenous engineering and heritage.

A high-level meeting was held at the Tashiling Secretariat, organized by the Intellectual Property Rights Section, Department of Science & Technology, a press release on Wednesday informs.

The meeting was chaired by minister Pintso Namgyal Lepcha where experts, artisans, and cultural leaders came together to spotlight this remarkable bridge-making tradition, still practiced by Lepcha communities in the Dzongu Tribal Reserve within the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve.

Crafted entirely from natural materials like wild cane and bamboo, the Ru-Soam is more than just a bridge—it’s a testament to eco-sensitive innovation and centuries of oral tradition. Its value has been further highlighted in recent times as a symbol of sustainable and disaster-resilient infrastructure.

UNESCO’s regional director Tim Curtis joined the meet virtually and lauded the initiative, offering support for technical documentation and heritage recognition in line with global standards.

Local artisans from Dzongu, cultural representatives, and scholars from the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology enriched the dialogue with lived experiences and knowledge-sharing.

Dr.Benno Boer, Chief of Natural Sciences, UNESCO will be visiting Sikkim in May to take this initiative forward

This collaboration marks a powerful commitment to safeguarding Sikkim’s intangible heritage and aligns with UNESCO’s goal of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. The journey to formally document, digitally archive, and celebrate the Ru-Soam has officially begun—putting Sikkim’s indigenous wisdom on the world map, the Department of Science & Technology said.