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Root Bridge

The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya are unique pedestrian bridges made from the roots of Ficus elastica trees, built by the Khasi tribe over 15 to 30 years. These bridges exemplify the tribe's self-sufficiency and sustainable relationship with nature, becoming stronger with use and capable of bearing significant weight. They serve as essential connections in the region's rugged terrain, supporting local communities and attracting tourism while showcasing the craftsmanship and environmental stewardship of the Khasi people.

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Divya P.N.
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44 views

Root Bridge

The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya are unique pedestrian bridges made from the roots of Ficus elastica trees, built by the Khasi tribe over 15 to 30 years. These bridges exemplify the tribe's self-sufficiency and sustainable relationship with nature, becoming stronger with use and capable of bearing significant weight. They serve as essential connections in the region's rugged terrain, supporting local communities and attracting tourism while showcasing the craftsmanship and environmental stewardship of the Khasi people.

Uploaded by

Divya P.N.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya

India is a land of cultural diversity. This diversity is especially evident


when comparing different States and Union Territories of the country.
Each region has a distinct variety of plantations, food, traditions,
clothing, and literature that unifies and forms the diverse culture of
India.
North-East India is evidently one of the most linguistically and
culturally diversified regions of the nation. Comprising the “Seven
Sisters”, North-East India boasts the States of Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.
Of these, it is believed that Meghalaya’s culture and heritage are
deeply associated and influenced by mother nature. The State has
rich and vibrant biodiversity with a variety of flora and fauna.
Waterfalls, bridges, forest trails, brimming rivers are the elements of
magnificent Meghalaya.

The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya—a bridge made of tree roots


that only gets stronger with time and use!

Living Root Bridge, Nongriat, Meghalaya


Meghalaya is known for its dense forests and living root bridges that
are believed to be built by the tribes of Khasi (a tribe living in the
eastern parts of Meghalaya). Khasi tribe is known for its self-
sufficiency and its ability to nurture an ecosystem. Living Root Bridges
are one of this tribe’s legacies. This is a pedestrian bridge made of
the roots of living trees – mainly used for crossing rivers. These
bridges connect to remote places and help in sourcing raw materials
like wood and water for survival in the dense forests. Living root
bridges are intricately planned and built to provide accessibility.
The unique structure of the Living Root Bridge
The Living Root bridges seen throughout the East Khasi Hills of
Meghalaya embody the self-sufficiency of the Khasi tribes and their
relationship with forests. The structure of the bridge is entirely made
from tree branches, trunks, and roots. The process begins with
placing young pliable aerial roots Ficus Elastica trees in hollowed-out
trunks of the Areca Catechu tree (type of palm tree). These trunks
provide essential nutrition and protection from the weather to the
young roots and also serve as a root guidance system. This is
supported by a bamboo framework along with the entire structure.
Over time, as the aerial roots increase in strength and thickness, the
Areca Catechu trunks are no longer required. Dead load in the form
of stones, timber planks, leaves, and soil is added to plug gaps and to
weight test the living root structure. Meghalaya’s humid climate and
pedestrian movement along the bridge contribute to soil/dead load
compaction. Over time (15 to 30 years), the root structure becomes
strong enough to support substantial weight without the bamboo
framework. Unlike the concrete bridges, Living Root bridges become
stronger and more resistant with time and use.
Learnings from such heritage
Sights like the Living Root bridges showcase the skilled craftmanship
of tribes of India and their self-sufficient approach towards life.
Future generations derive inspiration from these ancient techniques
and strive for embracing a greener future.
A group of children cross a living root bridge in the East Khasi Hills of
Meghalaya. The bridges are essential for rural connectivity in a
vertical landscape.
Surreal Photos of India's Living Root Bridges
These intricate living structures take 15 to 30 years to complete.
During monsoon season in northeast India, rainwater gushes through
the emerald valleys and deep gorges of Meghalaya, the“abode of the
clouds.” The mountainous plateau between Assam and Bangladesh is
one of the wettest places on Earth, and the Khasi tribes who inhabit
these hills have developed an intimate relationship with the forest.
Long before the availability of modern construction materials, the
Khasi devised an ingenious way to traverse the turbulent waterways
and link isolated villages: living root bridges, locally known as jing
kieng jri.
Tree trunks are planted on each side of the bank to create a sturdy
foundation, and over the course of 15 to 30 years, the Khasi slowly
thread Ficus elastica roots across a temporary bamboo scaffolding to
connect the gap. A combination of humidity and foot traffic help
compact the soil over time, and the tangle of roots grows thick and
strong. Mature bridges stretch 15 to 250 feet over deep rivers and
gorges, and can bear impressive loads—upwards of 35 people at a
time.

A double-decker root bridge in Cherrapunji is one of the main


attractions in Meghalaya. The growing tourism in the region supports
the local economy.

Unlike modern building materials like concrete and steel, these


structures typically become more resilient with age and can survive
centuries. They regularly withstand flash flooding and storm surges
that are common in the region—a low-cost and sustainable way to
connect remote mountain villages scattered throughout the steep
terrain. The exact origin of the tradition in this region is unknown,
but the first written record appears more than a hundred years ago.
Beyond their sacred groves, the Khasi’s reverence for nature suffuses
daily life. Like many villages in Meghalaya, Mawlynnong has no
formal sanitation infrastructure, and every person is entrusted with
safeguarding the environment. Waste is collected in bamboo
receptacles located all over the village, which is then recycled into
fertilizer and used for agriculture, their primary occupation. Plastics
are repurposed, and villagers sweep lanes and public spaces daily.
Self-named “God’s own garden,” Mawlynnong is known as the
cleanest village in India, a title that has attracted a steady stream of
tourists and bolstered the local economy. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi hailed the community as a model for the rest of the country,
which is also home to one of the world’s most polluted cities.
Travel tip: Meghalaya is remote, but accessible to tourists. Find
accommodation, tour operators, and attractions at Meghalaya
Tourism.
A veil of fog sweeps across a living root bridge in the East Khasi Hills.

Stone steps connect the double-decker root bridge in Cherrapunji.

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