Indigenous Communities in Meghalaya Create Living Root Structures for Navigation

For centuries, the Khasi and Jaintia peoples in Meghalaya, India, have cultivated living bridges and ladders from Indian rubber tree roots to traverse their flood-prone environment. This traditional practice involves guiding and weaving the aerial roots of Ficus elastica trees into functional structures that withstand the region's heavy rainfall. These organic constructions serve as vital infrastructure in one of the world's wettest areas, demonstrating sustainable engineering and cultural adaptation to challenging geographical conditions.