The Indian valley where bridges breathe

Despite lacking the common bridge-building materials such as reinforced concrete and steel, communities in remote mountainous villages in India continue to use bridges made from living trees.

A bridge in the village of Nongriat. Source: SBS

The practice of growing tree bridges dates back more than two centuries and is common in the Indian state of Meghalaya where aerial roots of living banyan fig trees grow high.

These trees are trained horizontally using wire and old tree trunks, creating crossings over river rapids and deep chasms.

The village of Nongriat has several tree bridges which date back 200 years.

"In their wisdom, our forefathers planted rubber trees [to make bridges] along rivers and other places used for commuting," the village leader said.

"It makes it easier for people to go to the market and to their farmlands.

"The legacy of the living root bridges lives on in this village.

"We have many people from different places who come here to see them.

"It's for the future, for our children and grandchildren."