Living root bridges are a form of tree shaping common in the southern part of the Northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. They are handmade from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees by the Khasi and Jaintia peoples of the mountainous terrain along the southern part of the Shillong Plateau. Root bridges have also been observed in the Indian state of Nagaland.
Living root bridges have also been created in Indonesia at Jembatan akar on the island of Sumatra, and in the banten provence of Java, by the Baduy people.
A living root bridge is formed by guiding the pliable roots of the Ficus elastica tree across a stream or river, and then allowing the roots to grow and strengthen over time until they can hold the weight of a human being. The young roots are sometimes tied or twisted together, and are often encouraged to combine with one another via the process of inosculation. As the Ficus elastica tree is well suited to anchoring itself to steep slopes and rocky surfaces, it is not difficult to encourage its roots to take hold on the opposite sides of river banks. As they are made from living, growing, organisms, the useful lifespan of any given living root bridge is variable. It is thought that, under ideal conditions, a root bridge can last for many hundreds of years. As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the bridge will naturally self-renew and self-strengthen as its component roots grow thicker.
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Double Decker Living Root Bridge
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Outdoor Jack
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
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Outdoor Jack
A living root bridge near the village of Kongthong
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Outdoor Jack
Steep Stairs to Nongriat
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Alexandra
Double-decker living root bridge
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Alexandra
Double living root bridge in East Khasi Hills
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Alexandra
Early morning traffic on ‘The Double Decker’
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Nathan
Close up of the root bridge
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Nathan
You may be in Paradise, but you’ve still gotta work for it
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Nathan
Living root bridge
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Aditya Kamat
Living root bridge
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Aditya Kamat
Walk the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya added by:
Outdoor Jack
I live in Melbourne. I love the outdoors.
Last Edited by:
Nathan
This is Nathans about.
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Living root bridges are a form of tree shaping common in the southern part of the Northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. They are handmade from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees by the Khasi and Jaintia peoples of the mountainous terrain along the southern part of the Shillong Plateau. Root bridges have also been observed in the Indian state of Nagaland.
Living root bridges have also been created in Indonesia at Jembatan akar on the island of Sumatra, and in the banten provence of Java, by the Baduy people.
A living root bridge is formed by guiding the pliable roots of the Ficus elastica tree across a stream or river, and then allowing the roots to grow and strengthen over time until they can hold the weight of a human being. The young roots are sometimes tied or twisted together, and are often encouraged to combine with one another via the process of inosculation. As the Ficus elastica tree is well suited to anchoring itself to steep slopes and rocky surfaces, it is not difficult to encourage its roots to take hold on the opposite sides of river banks. As they are made from living, growing, organisms, the useful lifespan of any given living root bridge is variable. It is thought that, under ideal conditions, a root bridge can last for many hundreds of years. As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the bridge will naturally self-renew and self-strengthen as its component roots grow thicker.
Add videos of this activity
Videos help others preview the activity. Upload videos to help inspire others
Add images of this activity
Images help others preview the activity. images videos to help inspire others
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
Added By:
Outdoor Jack
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
Added By:
Outdoor Jack
A living root bridge near the village of Kongthong
Added By:
Outdoor Jack
Steep Stairs to Nongriat
Added By:
Alexandra
Double-decker living root bridge
Added By:
Alexandra
Double living root bridge in East Khasi Hills
Added By:
Alexandra
Early morning traffic on ‘The Double Decker’
Added By:
Nathan
Close up of the root bridge
Added By:
Nathan
You may be in Paradise, but you’ve still gotta work for it
Added By:
Nathan
Living root bridge
Added By:
Aditya Kamat
Living root bridge
Added By:
Aditya Kamat
- By Location
- By Type
- Cultural & Historical
- Forest
- Recreation
- Adventure
- Cultural
- Destination
- Eco Adventure
- Famous
- Hiking
- Rivers
- Travel
- Moods:
- Be Impressed
- Conquer Fear
- Daydreaming
- Impress Others
- Impressed
- Moods
- Scared
- Stay In The Clouds
Walk the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya added by:
Outdoor Jack
I live in Melbourne. I love the outdoors.
Last Edited by:
Nathan
This is Nathans about.
Edit Activity
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