India - Jingkieng jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes

 

No.	Name of village or Group of villages	Site Coordinates
1	Amkoi	25°13' N, 92°0' E
2	Kudengrim	25°13' N, 92°1' E
3	Kudenthymmai	25°13' N, 92°1' E
4	Khonglah	25°15' N, 92°0' E
5	Nongbarehrim	25°13' N, 91°59' E
6	Nongbareh Lyntiar	25°13' N, 92°0' E
7	Darrang	25°12' N, 92°0' E
8	Sohkha Mission	25°12' N, 92°1' E
9	Sohkha Model	25°12' N, 92°2' E
10	Sohkha Phlang	25°12' N, 92°2' E
11	Nongtalang	25°12' N, 92°4' E
12	Padubah	25°16' N, 92°1' E
13	Warbah	25°16' N, 91°49' E
14	Laitmawroh	25°21' N, 91°49' E
15	Ramkheng	25°22' N, 91°50' E
16	Rikyrshang	25°21' N, 91°49' E
17	Massar Dymmiew	25°21' N, 91°47' E
18	Nongsteng, Pomramdah, Kiengshympet, Lummawshken, Wahkaliar (Elaka Nongsteng)	25°16' N, 91°37' E
19	Ramdait	25°14' N, 91°39' E
20	Mynteng	25°14' N, 91°39' E
21	Pyrnai	25°16' N, 91°51' E
22	Mawlam, Mawiang, Ryngkew (Raid Mawlam)	25°15' N, 91°49' E
23	Mawbeh	25°15' N, 91°50' E
24	Umniuh	25°11' N, 91°49' E
25	Mynrieng	25°18' N, 91°51' E
26	Tyngkei	25°18' N, 91°56' E
27	Lyngngai	25°18' N, 91°55' E
28	Sohkhmi	25°15' N, 91°46' E
29	Mawphu	25°18' N, 91°38' E
30	Laitiam	25°13' N, 91°45' E
31	Nongpriang	25°16' N, 91°44' E
32	Mawrap (Raid Tynrong)	25°14' N, 91°37' E
33	Diengsiar	25°12' N, 91°49' E
34	Mawkliaw Kemrang	25°13' N, 91°48' E
35	Shuthim	25°18' N, 91°51' E
36	Nongblai	25°20' N, 91°51' E
37	Maw-ah	25°22' N, 91°50' E
38	Kshaid	25°19' N, 91°45' E
39	Nohwet	25°12' N, 91°53' E
40	Riwai	25°12' N, 91°53' E
41	Nongsohphan	25°11' N, 91°53' E
42	Mawlynnong	25°11' N, 91°54' E
43	Nongthymmai (Elaka Tyrna)	25°14' N, 91°40' E
44	Nongriat	25°15' N, 91°40' E
45	Siej	25°12' N, 91°40' E
46	Nongkroh	25°13' N, 91°39' E
47	Mawshun	25°14' N, 91°57' E
48	Burma	25°13' N, 91°58' E
49	Shiliang Jashar	25°13' N, 91°53' E
50	Mawlyndun	25°15' N, 91°54' E
51	Nongthymmai Kyndiar	25°13' N, 91°53' E
52	Nongjri, Pungweikyian, Tishang	25°11' N, 91°48' E
53	Nongtyngur	25°12' N, 91°56' E
54	Wahkhen	25°19' N, 91°51' E
55	Mawkyrnot	25°17' N, 91°52' E
56	Phlangtyngor	25°16' N, 91°52' E
57	Mawbyrnei	25°13' N, 91°52' E
58	Rangthylliang	25°17' N, 91°52' E
59	Pynter	25°15' N, 91°58' E
60	Kongthong	25°20' N, 91°48' E
61	Pdei Puhbsein	25°20' N, 91°47' E
62	Sder	25°17' N, 91°48' E
63	Thangkyrta, Mawtongreng, Langsteng, Nongbah, Dewiong, Pdang, Jarain (Raid Nongbah Mawshuit)	25°18' N, 91°48' E
64	Rymmai, Mawshken (Raid Rymmai)	25°18' N, 91°46' E
65	Sohkynduh, Mawshken	25°16' N, 91°46' E
66	Thieddieng	25°17' N, 91°36' E
67	Mawpdai	25°13' N, 91°23' E
68	Mawkhan	25°12' N, 91°33' E
69	Synnei	25°15' N, 91°37' E
70	Sohbar	25°12' N, 91°44' E
71	Tyniar	25°21' N, 91°45' E
72	Thangrai, Nongnah	25°15' N, 91°45' E

Locally known as Jingkieng Jri, Living Root Bridges (LRB) are Ficus-based rural connectivity and livelihood solutions within dense subtropical moist broadleaf forest eco-region of Meghalaya in the eastern extension of the Indian Peninsular Plateau. Grown by indigenous Khasi tribal communities, these structural ecosystems have performed in extreme climatic conditions for centuries, and encapsulate a profound harmony between humans and nature. The underlying knowledge and skill has evolved through generations and continues to be practiced today, affirming its exceptional value and relevance. Facilitating connectivity and disaster resilience in more than 75 remote villages in and near the wettest region on Earth, LRB validate outstanding ingenuity and resilience of an ancient culture, where collective cooperation and reciprocity were the fundamental building blocks of life.

Early 19th century published accounts of Living Bridges confirm an exceptional tradition of India rubber tree-based bridge construction near Cherrapunji. Validating their increasing strength and ingenious use of root inosculation, these records highlight important engineering and botanical attributes, which contribute to overall structural robustness. Though the terminology of ‘Living Bridges’ focuses on bridge morphology, recent studies have revealed significant diversity including ladders, platforms, towers, steps and erosion/landslide prevention structures. Each Living structure or Jingkieng jri constitutes a unique site-specific response, where form and function have evolved through sustained human interaction with environment. Functionally, each category plays a distinct role: bridges, ladders and steps provide a reliable mode of transport especially during monsoon season; platforms and towers provide an opportunity for recreation and security; erosion and landslide prevention structures facilitate slope protection and soil stabilization. In addition to load-bearing structural use, India rubber trees have also been used for extracting caoutchouc (latex) for waterproofing and hunting, validating their special significance in Meghalaya.

Besides playing a critical socio-economic role within each village, Ficus-based Living structures also contribute to the ecology through forest and riparian restoration. The indigenous community, including traditional farmers and hunters, continue to use and nurture these structures, reinforcing the remarkable spirit of their ancestors.