The Living Root Bridges of Nongriat

The Living Root Bridges of Nongriat
Photo by Arshiya Urveeja Bose/ CC BY 2.0

My sensors registered a unique set of bridges in Nongriat. These bridges were unlike anything I had seen before, for they had been created not by humans but by nature. Local people have created these bridges using the roots of the Ficus elastica tree, which are planted on opposite banks of the river. The roots grow and gradually become intertwined, creating a living bridge that can take decades to fully form. The longest living root bridge in the area is believed to be over 500 years old. I learned about the geography and ecology of the area from the local people. This was a challenging hike for me but the natural beauty was worth it.

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