I remember watching about the nature’s miracle in Meghalaya on Discovery Channel years ago and since then, yearned to be in the midst of it. Last year, I walked on these breathing bridges, and it was much more beautiful than I had imagined.
The warm and humid Southern Khasi and Jaintia hills around Sohra (also known as Cherrapunji)
are home to a particular species of Indian rubber tree which has an unbelievably strong root system. It also has a secondary root system that originates high up from the trunks. These secondary roots can easily roost atop big boulders or even in the middle of the rivers. A tribe in Meghalaya called the War-Khasis noticed this a long time ago and realized that these strong roots could be an easy way of crossing rivers in many places. These are what we now know as the Living Root Bridges.
The best thing about these root bridges is that they can be grown whenever and wherever the need arises. The Khasis use betel nut trunks sliced down the middle and scooped out, to create systems to guide the roots. The thin roots of the tree then grow without straying. Upon reaching the other side they are given time to take root in the soil and get sturdy. On an average a strong root bridge takes 10 — 15 years to become completely functional. Some of these bridges are over a 100 feet long and can easily support the weight of fifty or more people at one time. The older they are, the stronger they get! Some of these bridges are over 500 years old.
Living root bridges also show the collective resilience of the indigenous Khasi and Jantia tribes of Meghalaya. It demonstrates a level of self-sufficiency and a unique relationship that has been built with nature. In an elaborate attempt to balance their individual needs with that of the larger community while also keeping in mind the environment, they have successfully nurtured an ecosystem which acknowledges the interdependent and interconnected nature of life.
However, these breathing bridges aren’t a secret anymore, for every year may travelers and tourists make their way to see this art of nature. When I decided to visit Meghalaya, it was for this sole reason, I wished to breathe alongside these bridges, see them from my eyes rather than in photographs. But due to an increase in the footfall of tourists and travelers at different locations of these bridges every year, some locals see it as a concern. Many of the locals believed that, though it is helping with the tourism and income of locals who has set up home stays and small restaurants on the way while one treks from Tyrna to Nongriat village to the Umshiang Double Decker Living Root Bridge, it has also increase noise and plastic pollution in the area. One local said, “We never believed in concrete made structures, but due to the tourism, some converted their houses and made rooms of concrete and cement in the midst of this natural environment”.
Cherapunji is known as the wettest place on earth for receiving copious amounts of rain every year, and while it brings the beautiful side of the state alive, it also presents a challenge to the indigenous Khasi people who live deep inside the jungles. When the flow of the water increases and becomes strong due to the rain fed torrents, most of the water washes away homes downhill and even make crossing the rivers difficult for the locals. It is well known, that this was the reason the bridges came into existence, for crossing the water and its strong currents but now that the houses and the structures are being built of concrete and cement, when the heavy rainfall would wash them away , it can cause much more damage to the ecosystem then ever before.
As reported by The Hindu, “While the pristine village is proud of its achievements, some believe it must limit visitor numbers to protect the well-being of its inhabitants.” And this can be achieved by raising awareness about the negative impacts tourists can have on this modest village.