Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 26: As more and more concrete bridges are being built across rivers and rivulets, the traditional wooden foot bridges have lost their relevance. At the same time, we are losing people who had expertise in making the bridges by using locally available materials. In order to retain this skill in rural areas, for a year, 'Setubandha' campaign is held in Maala village that nestles at the foot of the Western Ghats.

This year too, bridges that are environment friendly, and which help in crossing small streams and rivulets which flow down from the bills, are being made here.

As monsoon has begun, rivers and rivulets are brimming. Instead of concrete bridges, 'Prachi' organisation has been making environment friendly foot bridges. In this area, about six wooden foot bridges are used. In course of time, the bridges had become dilapidated. The bridges were newly built last year. This year, two more have been built. At the same time, some foot bridges made last year are being repaired.

With this, some skilled workers from the village got employment during the trying corona times. For the last two to three days, eight expert workers have been involved with the work of making foot bridges by using the stems of areca nut trees. A footbridge can be built in two days at a cost of Rs 9,000. These bridges last one year, and ensure that the locals get work every year.

Purushottam Adve, promoter of 'Prachi' organization says that foot bridges can be seen in abundance in states like Meghalaya. He says that because of the advancement of concrete bridges, the foot bridges made of wood are becoming extinct. He said that 'Setubandha' is a small effort to conserve this tradition. He says that these bridges can be used for rural environmental tourism purposes.