Roots connect a Meghalaya village

Subject :Environment

Living root bridge:

Living root bridges or Jing Kieng Jri are the aerial bridges that are built by weaving and manipulating the roots of the Indian rubber tree.
- A living root bridge is like a suspension bridge formed by guiding the pliable roots of the rubber fig tree (Ficus elastica) across a stream or river and allowing the roots to grow and strengthen over time.
- They have been serving as connectors for generations in the Indian state of Meghalaya.
A root bridge uses traditional tribal knowledge to train the roots of the Indian rubber tree (found in abundance in the area) to grow laterally across a stream bed resulting in a living bridge of roots.
- It spans between 15 and 250 feet and is built over centuries.
They are on the tentative list of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
They have also become world-famous tourist attractions. The two most popular tourist spots are-

There are no records to suggest when the Khasi community started the living root bridge tradition, but ecologists say it highlights the symbiotic relationship between people and nature. Many bridges across the State are over a century old.
Over 70 living root bridges (LRBs) thrive in the state’s mountainous rainforests in one of the world’s wettest regions – evidence of an enduring relationship between a pollinator, seed dispersers and indigenous communities.

Properties of Living Roots Bridge:

Process of constructing a living root bridge:

The structure of the bridge is entirely made from tree branches, trunks, and roots.
The process begins with placing young pliable aerial roots Ficus Elastica trees in hollowed-out trunks of the Areca Catechu tree (type of palm tree).
These trunks provide essential nutrition and protection from the weather to the young roots and also serve as a root guidance system.
This is supported by a bamboo framework along with the entire structure.
Over time, as the aerial roots increase in strength and thickness, the Areca Catechu trunks are no longer required.
Dead load in the form of stones, timber planks, leaves, and soil is added to plug gaps and to weight test the living root structure.
Meghalaya’s humid climate and pedestrian movement along the bridge contribute to soil/dead load compaction.
Over time (15 to 30 years), the root structure becomes strong enough to support substantial weight without the bamboo framework.
Unlike the concrete bridges, Living Root bridges become stronger and more resistant with time and use.

Learnings from such heritage:

Sights like the Living Root bridges showcase the skilled craftmanship of tribes of India and their self-sufficient approach towards life.
Future generations derive inspiration from these ancient techniques and strive for embracing a greener future.

Ficus Trees:

Keystone role in nature.
They hold the ecosystem together and promote biodiversity around them.
They are hospitable to birds and bats (seed-dispersing animals) that feed on their fruits.
They stabilise the soil with their root system and prevent landslides.

Meghalaya government Draft Guidelines for Protection of Living Root Bridge:

Underpinned by science-based approaches and community participation.
Zone-based conservation and a responsible development approach for regulating activities, including tourism. For example, the proposed Zone I suggests declaring at least approximately 30 meters from the core LRB structure as a protected area.
Determine the gene pool of both the trees and of the pollinators (eg. fig wasp pollinator).
Raise awareness levels among tourists and students about the root bridges.
The guidelines also emphasise forming Village Cooperative Societies for inclusion of all stakeholders, ensuring an equitable profit-sharing model, and nurturing sustainable livelihoods
Engage local communities in monitoring the biodiversity in the LRB ecosystem.