News India Live, Digital Desk: India’s north-eastern state Meghalaya has once again attracted the world’s attention. The ‘Living Root Bridges’ built from the roots of rubber trees by the Khasi and Jaintia tribes here have been officially nominated for permanent status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These bridges are not only a center of tourism, but are also the biggest example of sustainable architecture in the era of climate change. What are Living Root Bridges? (The Living Engineering) These bridges are not made of any cement, iron or wooden logs, but are made by twisting and intertwining the roots of rubber trees of the ‘Ficus elastica’ species. Construction process: Local people use bamboo structures to ‘guide’ the roots to grow from one end of the river to the other. Time: It takes 10 to 15 years to build a strong bridge. Why are these bridges so special? (Key Features)Feature DescriptionStrengthAs the tree grows older, the roots become stronger. These can lift the weight of 50 people simultaneously. Lifespan An average root bridge can survive for more than 500 years. Eco-friendly, these bridges do not break despite floods and torrential rains, but their grip becomes stronger due to contact with water. Double Decker Bridge ‘Umshiang Double Decker Bridge’ located in Cherrapunji (Sohra) is the only one of its kind in the world. What will happen with the UNESCO nomination? Benefit? If these bridges spread over about 72 villages of Meghalaya get UNESCO status, then: Global conservation: International funds and technology will be available for the maintenance and conservation of these bridges. Promotion of tourism: Eco-tourism will increase in rural areas of Meghalaya, which will increase local employment. Scientific research: Scientists will be able to study how natural resources can be used as an alternative to modern infrastructure. ‘Living’ wonders: ‘Nongriat’ village of Meghalaya is the biggest center of these bridges. To reach here tourists have to descend about 3,000 stairs. For the people of the local Khasi tribe, these bridges are not just a way, but a part of their culture and ancestral heritage. They call them ‘Jingkieng Jri’.