SHILLONG: Residents of Nohwet village in East Khasi Hills district joined hands over the weekend for a twin mission—preserve the past and build for the future.
They got together to save the nearly 200-year-old living root bridge, which has been the symbol of the close relationship that exists between the local people and nature, and simultaneously plant a number of Ficus elastic or DiengJri as it is locally called in the hope that one day these would grow into amazing bridges to be used by their children and grandchildren.
In the past, people had lined the root bridge with large stones to ease walking, but these turned to be its bane as they slowly put stress on the roots, damaging them in the process.
The villagers, under the leadership of their headman Bose Swell Khongthohrem, came together to remove the stones on June 22.
They placed dead wood from jackfruit trees mixed with a light layer of soil on the roots, which according to the locals is a great source of nutrient. Besides, areca nut trees were also laid so that people could walk without stepping directly on the roots to prevent further damage. Nohwet, which is situated in the southern slopes of East Khasi Hills, is a region with a wide range of indigenous knowledge that has been passed down through multiple generations. On the other hand, they planted the Ficus elastic with guidance from Drunkwell Khongkrom, Lahshwa Khongsni, Koneda Khongtiang, Orin Thamand and Kumarbha Khongknaw, who are some of the few local people who have the knowledge of growing root bridges.
This entire exercise was done as part of the village’s cleaning drive that witnessed large participation from a number of visitors.
