IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Living root bridges

22nd January, 2022 Environment

                                                                

                                                                Copyright infringement is not intended

 

Context: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has underlined some green rules for the living root bridges of Meghalaya to get the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag.

 

About living root bridge:

  • It 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.
  • Meghalaya is known for these living root bridge.
  • Khasi and Jaintia tribes have mastered the art of wrapping thick roots together to form a structure that has a capacity to hold more than 50 people
  • It is an example of symbiotic relationship between people and nature.
  • Local name: Such a bridge is locally called jingkieng jri.

 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/unesco-tag-sought-for-living-root-bridges/article38304655.ece