Bridges in India

India - a country of mysteries, miracles and spiritual enlightenment. Here are some of the gods of the trunk and four hands, and bridges can grow themselves. We go to the area of ​​the town of Cherrapunji in northeast India, which is located at an altitude of 1300 meters and is considered the wettest place on Earth. Here, for "growing" bridges used kauchukonochnogo ficus roots. The process of "building" lasts 10-15 years. Live bridges can reach a length of 30 meters and can withstand the weight of more than 50 chelovek.

Pathfinder is the root bridge Dennis P. Wright. He was so interested in unusual plants, he could tell for hours about them to everyone, and even for some time to organize special tours to India, the Europeans could appreciate the beauty of the "living" pereprav.

Bridges are grown in a suitable location - a town of Cherrapunji, which according to various sources is the wettest place on earth: the year here falls over 11,000 mm of rainfall. But a record number dropped in 1861 - 22.98 meters. The material for the "construction" of living bridges are the roots of Ficus Elastica. It is an evergreen tree, reaching a height of 30-40 metrov.

The uniqueness of the ficus is that he has a secondary root system: its roots grow out. The photo double bridge called «Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge»: To ficus roots grow in the right direction, residents of Cherrapunji using special frames. When he reached the other bank of the roots of ficus kauchukonochnogo grow in the ground. The process of "building" a bridge usually lasts 10-15 years, and besides, he requires constant care and vnimaniya.

Ready bridge can withstand up to 50 adults. Moreover, the older the bridge, so it is stronger - the roots of woody and become strong like steel cables. For more than 500 years managed to grow a large number of bridges more than 30 meters in length.

Source: loveopium.ru