In a particular region in India, the local people train the roots of living trees into robust bridges across the streams. As the time passes, these bridges become stronger. These unique ‘living root bridges’ are found in

Answer: (a) Meghalaya

Khasi and Jaintia communities guide the aerial roots of the Indian rubber fig (Ficus elastica) across streams. It takes 10–15 years before a bridge can carry people, and then it keeps thickening for centuries.

The idea

Why only here: the southern slopes of the Khasi and Jaintia hills get some of the heaviest rain on Earth (Cherrapunji–Mawsynram). In the monsoon, streams turn into torrents and a timber or bamboo bridge rots or is washed away in a few years. The Indian rubber fig grows wild in this hot, wet climate and sends out strong aerial roots. A living root does not rot, so the bridge gets stronger as it grows. This is bio-engineering from traditional knowledge.

Rubber fig on the bank → Roots guided over a bamboo / betel-nut frame → 10–15 years → walkable → Stronger for centuries

Why the others are wrong

(b) Himachal has steep streams too, but it is cold and far drier. The rubber fig does not grow there, and people build cantilever bridges from timber, which lasts in that climate.

The trap

“Hill state” pulls you to Himachal. The real clue is a hot, extremely wet place where dead wood cannot last, and that is Meghalaya.

Also know

The double-decker bridge at Nongriat is the most famous one. The Jingkieng Jri living root bridge cultural landscapes were put on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2022.