- In the 135th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Meghalaya’s living root bridges as an outstanding example of harmony between nature and indigenous knowledge. Today, local communities maintain over 120 such bridges through regular inspections and conservation efforts.
- India has nominated the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
- These bridges are created by carefully guiding the aerial roots of rubber fig trees. They typically require 10–30 years to become fully usable, reflecting long-term community stewardship across generations.
- Once fully matured, a living root bridge can remain functional for 500–600 years, withstanding intense monsoon floods that often destroy conventional wooden or bamboo bridges.
APSC Relevance: Indigenous Knowledge; UNESCO Heritage
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