May 7 , 2026
15 hrs 0 min
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- UNESCO and the Government of Sikkim are documenting Ru-Soam Engineering of the Lepcha community.
- Ru-Soam refers to traditional bamboo and cane footbridges built by the Lepcha people in the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve.
- These bridges use natural materials like bamboo and cane, acting like modern suspension bridges without steel or concrete.
- Key parts include the main support cables (Soamgyang), suspender loops (Ahool), and bamboo deck (Soamgur).
- The bridges can span up to 100 metres and usually support 2–3 people at a time.
- They are eco-friendly (low carbon footprint) and resilient to earthquakes due to their flexibility.

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