Tuesday, Nov 11, 2025 22:45 [IST]
Last Update: Monday, Nov 10, 2025 17:17 [IST]
GANGTOK,: A 100-foot cane suspension bridge is nearing completion at Hee Gyathang, Dzongu, under the ‘Ru-Soam’ initiative - a State DST project aimed at reviving, documenting, and promoting the traditional Lepcha cane bridge.
The ‘Ru-Soam’ constructional method showcases the indigenous craftsmanship of the Lepcha community using local materials and represents one of the most distinctive and eco-friendly engineering practices of the Eastern Himalayas.
According to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the project began on November 4, and is almost complete. The bridge is expected to be commissioned on November 15, following traditional rituals performed by Bongthings (traditional Lepcha priests).
The cane bridge, which is about 100 ft, can easily support two people crossing at a time, informed Rajdeep Gurung, Assistant Scientific Officer, DST.
With full engagement of the local community, the bridge uses only natural materials such as cane, bamboo, wooden logs, and creepers, all sourced from nearby forests.
The ‘Ru-Soam’ building started with a symbolic act - an archer shooting an arrow across the proposed span, a traditional way of marking where the bridge will stand.
“The main objective of this project is to revive the ‘Ru-Soam’ tradition. Master craftsmen are training local artisans at the spot, ensuring that younger generations inherit this valuable knowledge. We are also promoting the cane bridge as an eco-tourism attraction so visitors to Hee-Gyathang can experience this sustainable heritage firsthand,” said Gurung.
DST has deployed research teams to document the project, including anthropological and video reports, to preserve knowledge of this traditional construction method. We are recording the entire process as part of a scientific study to present ‘Ru-Soam’ as an intangible cultural heritage at national and international forums, added Gurung.
The State government is working to secure Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the Lepcha cane bridge tradition ‘Ru-Soam’. A meeting of the DST officials was held with senior UNESCO officials earlier this year in April. The UNESCO expressed interest in partnering with the Sikkim government to document and recognize the ‘Ru-Soam’ as a living symbol of indigenous engineering and heritage.
Historically, these cane bridges played a vital role in connecting remote communities across rivers and gorges, reflecting the ingenuity and ecological awareness of the indigenous Lepcha community.
The bridge caught the attention of British botanist and explorer Sir J.D. Hooker during his travels through Sikkim in 1848. In his writings, he described the cane bridge as “the most characteristic of Himalayan object art,” underscoring its cultural and architectural uniqueness. His early observations remain among the most significant external records of this traditional craft.
DST officials stated that the project aligns with Sikkim’s broader vision of safeguarding indigenous knowledge systems while promoting sustainable tourism.
