A Marvelous Fusion of Nature and Engineering: The Root Bridges of Meghalaya

After traveling to various places in India, I stumbled upon one of the most picturesque and fascinating places on the planet: the living root bridges of Meghalaya. The bridges are created from the roots of ficus elastica trees, also known as the rubber tree, by manipulating them to grow in a particular direction. The Khasi and Jaintia tribes in Meghalaya have learned and practiced this technique for generations, and some of the root bridges are over 500 years old. The bridges are truly a fusion of nature and engineering. The process to create these bridges takes around 15-20 years but they are incredibly durable, supporting up to 50 people at a time. They are also eco-friendly and blend seamlessly into the surrounding forest landscape. Walking on these bridges gives a unique tactile experience, as every step we take feels different from the previous one. The people of Meghalaya have created an engineering marvel that is both functional and beautiful.