In northeastern India, local tribes have been using rubber tree roots threaded through areca palm canes to build living bridges for 180 years. These bridges can take up to 20 years to grow and can support up to 50 people. They get stronger over time and rarely require maintenance, but the practice has declined in the last 25 years in favor of modern construction methods.
During the monsoon season in northeastern India, the gentle streams flowing in the valleys of the area suddenly become torrents, impossible to cross on foot. For 180 years, the solution has been to use nature to help build living bridges. Local tribes have devised a way to thread rubber tree roots through the hollow canes of the areca palm, patiently nurturing them for years until they become sturdy bridges. the rushing streams, but in time they would rot and break amid the monsoons, and the villagers would be stranded. Living root bridges have proven to be more resistant.
Root bridges over turbulent waters:
It can take 15 to 20 years for root bridges to connect opposite banks of a river. Some root bridges are over 100 feet (30.5 m) long and can support the weight of 50 people.
Over time, root bridges get stronger and rarely require maintenance. The strongest root bridges are over 100 years old.
The practice has died out over the past 25 years. Bridge builders today are more frequently using steel wire ropes and modern construction methods.
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