The Living Root Bridges

Source: News on Air

Subject: History/Art and culture

Context: India officially submitted the nomination dossier for Meghalaya’s living root bridges, titled Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape, to UNESCO for the 2026-27 World Heritage evaluation cycle.

About The Living Root Bridges:

What is it?

• The Living Root Bridges, locally known as Jingkieng Jri, are extraordinary pedestrian bridges handcrafted from the aerial roots of living trees.

• Unlike steel or concrete bridges, these structures are grown over decades and become stronger as the tree matures, embodying the ultimate form of sustainable bio-engineering.

Location:

• State: Meghalaya, India.

• Region: Primarily concentrated in the East Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills

• Villages: Notable sites include Nongriat (home to the famous Double-Decker bridge), Rewai, and Mawlynnong.

History & Origin:

• Tribal Heritage: Created by the indigenous Khasi and Jaintia

• Ancient Tradition: Due to a lack of written scripts before the 19th century, their exact age is unknown, but oral legends suggests some bridges are over 500 years old.

• Evolution: The practice emerged as a survival strategy to cross monsoon-swollen rivers in the world’s wettest region (Mawsynram/Cherrapunji), where wooden structures would simply rot away.

Key Features & Construction Process:

• The Species: The bridges are primarily grown from the Ficus elastica (Indian Rubber Tree), known for its robust and flexible aerial root system.

• Guided Growth: Planting: Trees are planted on opposite banks of a river. Scaffolding: Young roots are guided through hollowed-out Areca palm trunks or bamboo structures to grow across the stream. Entwining: Over time, the roots are manually twisted and merged (anastomosis) to form a solid walkway. Strengthening: Stones are often placed between the roots to create a flat path. A bridge takes 10 to 15 years to become functional but can last for centuries.

• Planting: Trees are planted on opposite banks of a river.

• Scaffolding: Young roots are guided through hollowed-out Areca palm trunks or bamboo structures to grow across the stream.

• Entwining: Over time, the roots are manually twisted and merged (anastomosis) to form a solid walkway.

• Strengthening: Stones are often placed between the roots to create a flat path. A bridge takes 10 to 15 years to become functional but can last for centuries.

Significance:

• These bridges are carbon-sequestering, self-repairing, and can withstand the extreme floods and storms of the Meghalayan plateau that would destroy modern infrastructure.

• The nomination recognizes the Mei Ramew (Mother Earth) philosophy, showcasing a harmonious relationship between humans and the ecosystem.

• As the world seeks nature-based solutions to climate change, the Living Root Bridges serve as a global blueprint for regenerative architecture.