The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya can last up to 500 years!
The world is full of wonders manmade and natural. But did you know that India has a manmade natural wonder? Well, we are talking about the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya made with live tree roots.Yes, these bridges are alive and quite magnificent! Nestled deep in the woods of the north-eastern state of Meghalaya, you will see the roots of giant trees intertwined together, creating a bridge-like structure. These bridges give the vibe of a magical scene from a movie, but they are real! The bridges are sturdy enough to carry 50 people at one time. Locals use them to cross riverbanks and streams. The bridges have been declared a UNESCO Heritage site and have thus become a popular tourist destination. One of the most popular ones is the Double Decker Living Root bridge in Cherrapunji. The crazy part is that the bridge is 3 kilometres long and located at a height of 2400 feet! This is why it takes 3,500 steps to just reach the bridge! But how are these bridges formed? And for how long can these bridges possibly sustain? Are you curious too? Read ahead to find out!
The bridge can last for 500 years!
The root bridges have stood the test of time and stand strong. You will be shocked that some of these root bridges can last 500 years! But how so? The answer lies in nature. The root bridges are living, which means the roots are growing as the trees grow. Some parts are always growing while some parts wither and die. The roots take up nutrition from the soil, so the bridge is replenished continuously. New roots are growing continuously, helping the bridge to repair and regenerate. So, even though parts of the living root bridges are decaying, they also repair themselves. This provides the bridge with strength and stability to self-sustain for a long period.
How are the bridges made?
These strong and sturdy bridges were created by the trained people of the Khasi and Jaintia tribes of Meghalaya. The process of creating root bridges continues even today, and both tribes take part in the process with much excitement. These people have mastered the art of creating these bridges near rivers.
The whole idea of creating these incredible bridges came to the tribe veterans about 180 years ago. The veterans of the Khasi tribes placed the roots of rubber trees growing along the river banks, into hollow canes of Areca nut palm trees and laid them halfway across the river stream. The roots were alive, just like they are in any living tree and continued growing as the trees grew. The veterans nurtured these roots till they grew long enough to cross the riverbank. The roots from opposite ends of the river stream grew and were intertwined with each other. This entanglement made a complete bridge that is strong enough to carry heavy weights.
Even today, a similar process is followed. It begins with placing the young roots of Ficus Elastica or rubber trees, in the hollowed-out trunks or canes made from the Areca catechu tree. These hollow trunks provide nutrition, protection and support to the young roots. The hollow trunks also act as a guidance system. The entire structure is supported by a bamboo framework. As the roots grow in strength and thickness, the trunk is no longer needed and thus, removed. It takes 15 to 30 years for the roots structure to become strong enough to carry heavy weight! During this crucial period, the locals take care of the roots and change the bamboo framework periodically every two years.
It takes multiple generations to build one bridge
Since 180 years, the knowledge and cultural significance of these bridges have been passed on from generation to generation. To create one bridge, the entire community collaborates in designing, managing and maintaining it. As rubber trees take a long time to grow, it usually takes more than one generation to build one bridge. The roots are guided towards each other for nearly 30 years to build one bridge! People tend to the younger and smaller bridges, while still caring for the old and large ones. This is done so that the next generations can also use the bridges and the legacy continues. The bridges help the community by giving them a source of income through tourism. But this is not all! The living root bridges are also helpful for the local biodiversity. They provide a habitat for squirrels and birds, promote moss growth and support pollinating insects. So, the living root bridges contribute to the beauty and support the local fauna!