This article reconsiders the cultural landscape of Sohra (Cherrapunjee), Meghalaya, India, a region renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and deep-rooted indigenous customs. Focusing on the living root bridges – known locally as Jingkieng Jri – this study examines how centuries-old community practices and sustainable engineering have shaped both the physical environment and the cultural identity of the Khasi people. Through historical narratives, indigenous storytelling, and comparative analyses with global examples of plant-based construction, the article argues that these living structures are not only functional but emblematic of a harmonious dialogue between human ingenuity and ecological stewardship.

Keywords: Cultural landscape, indigenous wisdom, heritage conservation, sustainable practices, living root bridge

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1. Atkins C. Chirra Punji. Asiatic J New Ser. 1836;21(Sept–Dec):17–26.
2. Allen BC. Assam District Gazetteers. Vol. 10. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press; 1905.
3. Bareh H. The History and Culture of the Khasi People. Guwahati: Spectrum Publications; 1997.
4. Denevan WM, Mathewson K. Carl Sauer on Culture and Landscape: Readings and Commentaries. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press; 1946.
5. Gait EA. A History of Assam. Calcutta: Thacker Spink & Co.; 1906.
6. Gurdon PR. The Khasis. Delhi: Low Price Publications; 1906.
7. Hooker JD. Himalayan Journals; or Notes of a Naturalist in Bengal, The Sikkim and Nepal Himalayas, The Khasia Mountains Etc. London: John Murray; 1854.
8. Government of Meghalaya. Khasi Hills District Gazetteer. Shillong: Department of Arts and Culture; 1990.
9. Ludwig F. Baubotanik: Living plant-based architecture and its applications in urban environments. J Ecol Des. 2019;15(3):112–30.
10. Morris JH. The History of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists’ Foreign Mission to the End of the Year 1904. [Place unknown]: [Publisher unknown]; 1910.
11. Nataranjan N. The Missionary Among the Khasis. New Delhi: Sterling Publishing Co.; 1977.
12. Ochsendorf J. Inca suspension bridges: Engineering traditions and cultural significance. J Archit Herit. 2004;9(2):87–102.
13. Shankar S. Living Root Bridges: State of knowledge, fundamental research and future application. Presented at: IABSE Conference; 2015; Geneva.
14. Shankar S. Revitalizing Plant Based Knowledge in Northeast India.
15. Syiemlieh K. Ka Rympei Jingkynmaw: Ka Iew Sohra. Shillong.
16. Recommendation concerning the Protection of Beauty and Character of Landscapes and Sites. Paris: UNESCO; 1962.
17. Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Paris: UNESCO; 1972.
18. Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention [Internet]. Paris: UNESCO; 1992 [cited 2025 Jun 24]. Available from: http://whc.unesco.org/archive/opguide94.pdf.
19. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras: Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Agriculture. Paris: UNESCO; 1995.
20. World Heritage Convention – Cultural Landscapes [Internet]. Paris: UNESCO; 2007 [cited 2025 Jun 24]. Available from: https://whc.unesco.org/en/culturallandscape/.
21. Watson A. Memoir of the Late David Scott, Esq., Agent to the Governor General, on the Northeast Frontier of Bengal, and Commissioner of Revenue and Circuit in Assam. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press; 1832.

This article reconsiders the cultural landscape of Sohra (Cherrapunjee), Meghalaya, India, a region renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and deep-rooted indigenous customs. Focusing on the living root bridges – known locally as Jingkieng Jri – this study examines how centuries-old community practices and sustainable engineering have shaped both the physical environment and the cultural identity of the Khasi people. Through historical narratives, indigenous storytelling, and comparative analyses with global examples of plant-based construction, the article argues that these living structures are not only functional but emblematic of a harmonious dialogue between human ingenuity and ecological stewardship.

Keywords: Cultural landscape, indigenous wisdom, heritage conservation, sustainable practices, living root bridge

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Atkins C. Chirra Punji. Asiatic J New Ser. 1836;21(Sept–Dec):17–26.
2. Allen BC. Assam District Gazetteers. Vol. 10. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press; 1905.
3. Bareh H. The History and Culture of the Khasi People. Guwahati: Spectrum Publications; 1997.
4. Denevan WM, Mathewson K. Carl Sauer on Culture and Landscape: Readings and Commentaries. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press; 1946.
5. Gait EA. A History of Assam. Calcutta: Thacker Spink & Co.; 1906.
6. Gurdon PR. The Khasis. Delhi: Low Price Publications; 1906.
7. Hooker JD. Himalayan Journals; or Notes of a Naturalist in Bengal, The Sikkim and Nepal Himalayas, The Khasia Mountains Etc. London: John Murray; 1854.
8. Government of Meghalaya. Khasi Hills District Gazetteer. Shillong: Department of Arts and Culture; 1990.
9. Ludwig F. Baubotanik: Living plant-based architecture and its applications in urban environments. J Ecol Des. 2019;15(3):112–30.
10. Morris JH. The History of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists’ Foreign Mission to the End of the Year 1904. [Place unknown]: [Publisher unknown]; 1910.
11. Nataranjan N. The Missionary Among the Khasis. New Delhi: Sterling Publishing Co.; 1977.
12. Ochsendorf J. Inca suspension bridges: Engineering traditions and cultural significance. J Archit Herit. 2004;9(2):87–102.
13. Shankar S. Living Root Bridges: State of knowledge, fundamental research and future application. Presented at: IABSE Conference; 2015; Geneva.
14. Shankar S. Revitalizing Plant Based Knowledge in Northeast India.
15. Syiemlieh K. Ka Rympei Jingkynmaw: Ka Iew Sohra. Shillong.
16. Recommendation concerning the Protection of Beauty and Character of Landscapes and Sites. Paris: UNESCO; 1962.
17. Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Paris: UNESCO; 1972.
18. Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention [Internet]. Paris: UNESCO; 1992 [cited 2025 Jun 24]. Available from: http://whc.unesco.org/archive/opguide94.pdf.
19. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras: Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Agriculture. Paris: UNESCO; 1995.
20. World Heritage Convention – Cultural Landscapes [Internet]. Paris: UNESCO; 2007 [cited 2025 Jun 24]. Available from: https://whc.unesco.org/en/culturallandscape/.
21. Watson A. Memoir of the Late David Scott, Esq., Agent to the Governor General, on the Northeast Frontier of Bengal, and Commissioner of Revenue and Circuit in Assam. Calcutta: Baptist Mission Press; 1832.