Pratham Books
Living Root Bridge - by Soumya Menon
Text by Soumya Menon - A Living Root Bridge, near Mawlynnong village.
In a region which receives the maximum rainfall, where the terrain is rugged, with steep cliffs and rapid flowing rivers from waterfalls originating higher up in the mountains, these bridges serve to connect otherwise inaccessible villages, deep in the mountains.
The Indian Banyan -the Ficus benghalensis- grows on giant boulders by sheer cliff faces or along river banks, sending many secondary roots from the tree trunk down to the rivers. The roots (and branches) of the Ficus benghalensis are cleverly engineered by the War Khasi people to form this bridge, unique to this region, and a marvel to behold.
Living Root Bridge - by Soumya Menon
Text by Soumya Menon - A Living Root Bridge, near Mawlynnong village.
In a region which receives the maximum rainfall, where the terrain is rugged, with steep cliffs and rapid flowing rivers from waterfalls originating higher up in the mountains, these bridges serve to connect otherwise inaccessible villages, deep in the mountains.
The Indian Banyan -the Ficus benghalensis- grows on giant boulders by sheer cliff faces or along river banks, sending many secondary roots from the tree trunk down to the rivers. The roots (and branches) of the Ficus benghalensis are cleverly engineered by the War Khasi people to form this bridge, unique to this region, and a marvel to behold.