In the northeastern state of Meghalaya, India, there is a unique tradition of cultivating living root bridges. The Khasi and Jaintia tribes have been using this technique for centuries to create bridges that can withstand the region’s heavy monsoon rains.
The process begins with the tribespeople selecting a young tree from the Ficus elastica species. They then guide the tree’s roots across a river or stream, using bamboo scaffolding to shape the roots as they grow. Over time, the roots become thicker and stronger, forming a sturdy bridge that can support both people and animals.
