The living root bridges of Meghalaya, grown not built

Background

The living root bridges of Meghalaya, found mainly in the East Khasi Hills around Cherrapunjee and Nongriat, are grown by the indigenous Khasi people by training the aerial roots of Ficus (rubber) trees across streams over generations. The well-known double-decker root bridge near Cherrapunjee began over 180 years ago, when Khasi elders placed rubber tree roots into hollowed Areca nut palm canes until the roots intertwined across the stream; it was later made two-tiered after a rise in the river covered the original single bridge. India's official tentative list submission for World Heritage status, 'Jingkieng jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes', records these structures spread across more than 75 villages of Meghalaya and notes that early 19th century published accounts already described this bridge-building tradition near Cherrapunjee.