During our study of the bamboo industry in Assam, we became aware of the famous Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge in Cherrapunji, near city of Shillong. The native inhabitants for time immemorial have trained the secondary root system of a ficus elastica (rubber) tree and the result is a truly 'green' living bridge. The Khasis use hollowed betel nut trunks to channel the rubber tree roots to the far side of the river where they are rooted. 
For PGI, these bridges have become a very special icon of our core values: The merger of respect for traditional knowledge, an overlay of technology and utility existing within nature not against it. PGI's field economist, Rajendran mused whether the natural capital value of this particular tree is more than other trees. What a wonderful question. It makes us realize that the utility of natural capital resources (whether a bridge or not) service mankind, and with proper care we can be economically viable while servicing nature. Win-win. Value chain. Sustainability. It is the metaphorical bridge that we in the Eco-facilitation industry must act as foreperson. At PGI we are committed to channelling the inspirations of Social NGOs, Institutes and Tech scientists into the commercial CSR and the consumer mainstream... to literally implement and grow the sturdy and durable bridge leading to our common evergreen existence.
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