Bridging design

Where does architecture derive its relevance from? Undoubtedly, utility. The aesthetics of architecture add to this primary quality. But can architecture be living? Can it be organic, not just in terms of how it gels with its environment, but as an organism? If your answer is “No”, then you need to google “Living Root Bridges”. These bridges are made by training the roots of rubber plants to grow across a void so that they forge a connection with trees on the other side.

These roots strengthen themselves over time and form enduring bridges for people to walk across. Meghalaya is dotted with this fascinating testimony to human ingenuity. And traveller, blogger, history buff Patrick A. Rogers is on a mission to conserve them.

Patrick first visited India in 2009 as a student to fulfil the credits for his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware. A short trip to the Northeast left him fascinated. Then a weeklong hike in 2013 introduced him to the Living Root Bridges that he had read about on the Web.

In 2015, Patrick hiked around south Meghalaya with Khasi locals who indulged his interest in finding Living Root Bridges. The month-long expedition made him draw two conclusions: One, that these bridges were a novelty even as they were a necessity. Second, cable suspension bridges were replacing Living Root Bridges — endangering a structure and practice that was as much an ecological marvel as cultural heritage.

While Nongriat and Mawlynnong were famous for their Living Root Bridges, Patrick found a far greater number in more remote villages of southern Meghalaya. So he started a crowdfunding campaign “The Living Root Bridge Project” (www.gofundme.com/9b6gxmbv) to fund extensive expeditions over the next few years with help of the local Khasis, to map and locate the exact coordinates of each of these bridges with a GPS device. He wants to click pictures and take detailed notes on their structure and state.

This initiative, Patrick says, is aimed at promoting living root architecture and rural tourism. Since many Living Root Bridges have withered due to apathy and for want of repair, Patrick believes that “any outsider interest would help save them”. He adds that the forests in Meghalaya are facing a lot of destruction by way of rising monsoons and “slash and burn” agriculture, and believes that tourism will help curb this. “But first, we need the topography of these Living Root Bridges,” he adds.

So he plans to return to India every year from now on and take on more serious expeditions. He is seeking funds for travel and hiking gear. With a little help from the locals and his own working knowledge of Khasi, Patrick is determined to map all the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya and bring them on the world tourist map. And he is confident of local support. When asked how the locals reacted to his interest in the bridges, Patrick says, “They were shy but amused by my interest and happy to help me find more bridges!”

Busy with his travel blog (evenfewergoats.blogspot.in) in his free time, Patrick has written about 50-odd Living Root Bridges already and is confident of finding more. He hopes that funding for his campaign picks up, so that he can compile enough data for the government to take notice and set up a botanical world heritage site. “Anything to save these bridges,” he concludes.