Living Root Bridges (Meghalaya)
A prominent tourist attraction in Meghalaya, these bridges have been in existence for nearly two centuries and are one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions. In order to construct theirs, the Khans used rubber tree roots and nurtured them until they were able to reach opposite ends of the river’s banks. When the roots became intertwined over time, they became strong enough to carry a significant amount of weight (at one point, more than 50 people!).
Bridges that take ten to fifteen years to construct and are more than 100 feet in length are considered to be living structures since they are constantly evolving. From completely formed roots, it is possible to predict a lifespan of up to 500 years.
The photograph below shows the double live root bridge in the East Khasi Hills, which is made of living roots.