Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya

News: Researchers have proposed to integrate living root bridges in modern architecture around the world, and potentially help make cities more environment-friendly.

Facts:

About Living Root bridges

• Living root bridges are Ficus elastica based suspension bridges within dense tropical rainforests in Khasi and Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya state.
•  Ficus elastica is conducive to the growth of bridges because of three main properties: they are elastic, their roots easily get entangled with each other and the plants grow in rough, rocky soils.
• The bridges span over 15 feet to 250 feet and is primarily a means to cross streams and rivers. They are grown by Khasi and Jaintia tribes over 15-30 years and are locally known as “jing kieng jri”