Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge

Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge is a living root bridge in Meghalaya, India. It can be reached via trekking 45 kilometres (28 mi), or 6500 steps, from Cherrapunji. There is also a waterfall nearby.^[1]

Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge in 2015

Due to tourism, the health of the root bridge has degraded.^[2] A replica of the bridge has been made in Nongriat in Cherrapunji to present the Khasi and Jaiñtia peoples' craft of building bridges from the secondary roots of trees.^[3]

These living bridges are grown from a special type of rubber tree. As the roots grow, so the strength of the bridge increases.^[4] They take around 25 years to grow and operate, but can carry the weight of 50 people and go on functioning for 500 years.^[5]

The root bridges are honoured as the Tajmahal of Meghalaya. Meghalaya presented the root bridge at its 70th Republic Day ceremony.

See also

• Breathing bridge