Exploring the Architectural Wonders of Living Root Bridges

A living root bridge is a bioengineering wonder found in the heart of India’s northeastern region. An indigenous technique crafted by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes blends human innovation and nature’s adaptation into an awe-striking structure. Originally devised to allow the locals to cross rivers, these bridges have now become prime tourist attractions.

Made from the roots of the ficus tree, the roots of which are trained to intertwine and create a study pathway for people to use. There are over 75 living bridges spread across parts of Northeastern India. Each of these living root bridges or ‘Jingkiegh Jri’ as the locals call it is unique in its structure rightly fitting into the set context.

The process of creating the living root bridges starts with selecting appropriate older ficus elastica or rubber trees located along the banks of a water body. The young aerial roots of the tree are guided to grow in a controlled manner across the water body. People from the tribal communities blend and weave these growing roots to form a stable walkable structure across the river.

Over time, the roots of the tree fuse by anastomosis and are supported by bamboo or wood till then. The roots of the ficus tree are best suited for creating these living bridges because of their ability to grow in water and withstand heavy loads. It takes a while for the formation of these bridges, the approximate span being around 10-30 years.

These bio-engineered living bridges are way more resilient and durable than the conventional ones. Unlike man-made bridges, these strengthen with age and last for several decades. Since they are made of living organisms using the Baubotanik architectural approach, their lifespans vary significantly.

Some of these living root bridges have lasted for centuries, others having an average lifespan of a few decades. They generally naturally self-renew and sustain with assistance from the local communities who work intergenerationally to co-build these structures with nature. 

The climate and geography of Meghalaya are tricky. Conventional construction methods would barely sustain extreme events with heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers and hilly terrains. These living root bridges have become a viable solution for people’s needs. All this, while preserving the existing ecology and enhancing the ecosystem of the river bank.

They add to the flora and fauna of the place. The communities of the region take great care and effort to preserve these natural wonders. The bridges go beyond the architectural need of creating sustainable structures, instead they are an example of regenerative design. Where they’re not just made up of all-natural materials but also impact the environment positively by absorbing CO2 for their entire living span of hundreds of years.

The living root bridges of Meghalaya have rightfully become a UNESCO World Heritage site. Because of their ingenuity and indigenous nature, these bridges are truly a wonder that the Khasi community have been working hard to preserve. Their collaborative efforts with several governmental and non-governmental organisations have led to the long-glorious lifespans of these bridges.

They are now of keen interest to tourists who specifically visit the state to experience this wonder. This has also given the state’s tourism a boost. The state government and the local communities have devised precautions and ways to carry sustainable eco-tourism within the state.

The state has over a hundred living root bridges spread across its geography. Few of these are accessible to the public today. Here are a few of the most well-known ones.