INDIA SOUGHT UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE TAG FOR LIVING ROOT BRIDGE

INDIA SOUGHT UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE TAG FOR LIVING ROOT BRIDGE

Context:

On 21 January 2022, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) put some green rules for the living root bridges of Meghalaya to get the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag.

About the living root bridge:

• It is a suspension bridge that cuts through small streams.
• They are built from the roots of living plants and are often found in Meghalaya.
• They are made by hand using rubber from fig trees. 
• Local Jaintia and Khasi people usually make these bridges.

Important Facts About Living Root Bridges:

• These bridges are 50 to 1150 meters above sea level and are locally called jingjieng jri.
• Its maximum length is 50 metres, and its width is around 1.5 metres.
• These bridges have the power to stand for 500 years! 

Root Bridges in other states:

• The people of Nagaland also build root bridges. 
• The Baduy people of Java also build these root bridges.

UNESCO World Heritage Site:

• The World Heritage Site is a landmark or legally protected area by an international convention hosted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. 
• UNESCO has designated world Heritage Sites for cultural, historical, scientific, or other significance.