The Economic Times

No steel, concrete, or cement: Meghalayas living bridges take 30 years to grow but get stronger with age. How villagers create them from tree roots

The Khasi and Jaintia tribes of Meghalaya have mastered the art of growing living root bridges using fig trees. These incredible engineering marvels, nurtured over decades, become stronger as their roots entwine across rivers and steep gorges. This remarkable tradition highlights indigenous ingenuity and eco-friendly construction, with the living root bridges of Meghalaya now recognized on a global scale with provisional UNESCO status.