The Astounding Living Tree Root Bridges of Meghalaya
The Khasi tribe of Meghalaya created sustainable living root bridges by guiding and weaving the aerial roots of rubber fig trees across rivers and valleys.
Have you ever wondered how people cross rivers and valleys without modern bridges? The Khasi tribe of Meghalaya faced this problem for many years and came up with an incredible solution—living root bridges.
Meghalaya, meaning "abode of clouds," is one of the wettest places on Earth. The town of Mawsynram in Meghalaya holds the Guinness World Record for the highest average annual rainfall in the world. During the peak monsoon season, from April to October, heavy rainwater flows through the valleys, making it difficult for the locals to commute.
To overcome this, the Khasi tribe created living root bridges, locally known as “jing kieng jri.” They planted rubber fig trees on both sides of a river or valley. These trees have aerial roots, meaning their roots grow above the ground. The Khasi people used temporary bamboo scaffolding to guide the roots from each side towards the middle, where they would eventually connect.
As the roots grew bigger, they were weaved together by hand, using compact soil to bind them like concrete. This process took 15 to 30 years, and the bamboo scaffolding had to be replaced every two years due to moisture and humidity. Over time, the roots became thicker and stronger, and the compact soil hardened, creating a sturdy and safe walking path.
Today, these mature living root bridges can stretch from 15 to 250 feet and can hold up to 35 people at a time. Unlike modern materials like concrete and steel, these bridges become stronger and more resilient with time. They can withstand the strongest flash floods and storms in Meghalaya, making them one of the most sustainable bridge designs in the world.
The Khasi tribe’s ingenious living root bridges are not just a practical solution but a symbol of harmony with nature. They are a testament to how people can live sustainably, using natural resources wisely to solve their problems.
