the Khasi and Jaintia people, India
Living Root Bridge
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Sanjeev Shankar The root bridge ecosystem -
Prasenjeet Yadav Bamboo is installed as reinforcement, until the bridge reaches it full strength. -
Prasenjeet Yadav A single Ficus elastica tree forms the backbone of the structure
When not anymore needed, theses structures will just be forest
A bridge handmade from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees. As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the roots in the bridge can naturally grow thick and strengthen. New roots can grow throughout the tree's life and must be pruned or manipulated to strengthen the bridge. Every year the local villagers tie new grown roots into the bridge. Once mature some bridges can have as many as 50 or more people crossing, and have a lifespan of a several hundred years.
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Title
Living Root Bridge -
Creator(s)
the Khasi and Jaintia people, India -
Year of Origin
Unknown