https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Cave_research_in_IndiaCave research in India - Revision history2026-07-31T13:49:48ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Cave_research_in_India&diff=110841&oldid=prev>Citation bot at 01:40, 11 May 20212021-05-11T01:40:30Z<p></p>
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Cave research, encompassing the study of [[speleology]] and biospeleology, is still in its infancy in India. Although there are thousands of [[cave]]s in [[India]], research expeditions occur in few states. The [[Siju Cave]] of state Meghalaya is the first limelighted natural cave from India. Several studies were carried out in this cave in the early 20th century. The [[Kotumsar Cave]] of Central India is one of the most explored caves of India,<ref>Kotumsar Cave is biologically best known cave in India [https://archive.today/20130913173121/www.thehitavada.com/news-details/kotumsar-cave-is-biologically-best-known-cave-in-india The Hitavada]</ref> and biologists have classified many types of cavernicoles, i.e. trogloxenes, troglophiles and [[troglobite]]s, from this cave.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Kotumsar Cave biodiversity: a review of cavernicoles and their troglobiotic traits | doi=10.1007/s10531-009-9710-7 | volume=19|journal=Biodiversity and Conservation|pages=275–289|year=2010 |last1=Biswas |first1=Jayant | s2cid=27720600 }}</ref><br />
[[Image:Cave_sentinels_of_India.jpg|thumb|Brian Dermot Kharpran Daly (Left) & Dr. Jayant Biswas (Right)]] [[Image:Inside the cave.jpg|thumb|Researcher in search of Biodiversity inside the Kotumsar Cave]] <br />
The Indian institution mainly engaged in this particular field of research and conversational issues of Indian caves is the [[Raipur]]-based National Cave Research and Protection Organisation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://caves.res.in/|title=National Cave Research and Protection Organisation|work=caves.res.in}}</ref> (founded and headed by Dr Jayant Biswas).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140409/jobs.htm#6|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Jobs & Careers|work=tribuneindia.com}}</ref> The other notable organisation is [[Meghalaya]] Adventurer Association (founded and managed by Brian Dermot Kharpran Daly)<ref>{{cite news|title=A caver's sojourn|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/a-cavers-sojourn/article674358.ece|accessdate=9 May 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> which mainly involved in the caving and cave explorations of the existing caves of the state Meghalaya.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adventurenation.com/activity/caving|title=Caving|work=Adventure Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704182137/https://www.adventurenation.com/activity/caving|archive-date=2015-07-04|df=}}</ref><br />
<br />
== Caving regions ==<br />
<!-- Please list only in the alphabetical order. --><br />
<br />
=== [[Andhra Pradesh]] ===<br />
[[Image:MeditationHallinsideBelumCave.jpg|right|thumb|Meditation Hall inside [[Belum Caves]]]] <br />
* Akka Mahadevi Cavesetc.<br />
* [[Belum Caves]], length: {{convert|3229|m|ft|abbr=on}}, [[Belum Village]] in [[Kolimigundla]] Mandal of [[Kurnool District]], {{Coord|15.102346|N|78.111541|E|}}<br />
* [[Borra Caves]], length: {{convert|625|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Guthikonda Caves,<br />
* [[Guntupalli Caves]],<br />
* [[Moghalrajapuram Caves]],<br />
* [[Undavalli Caves]]<br />
* Yaganti Caves,<br />
* Eswari devi caves,<br />
<br />
=== [[Chhattisgarh]] ===<br />
* Aranyak Cave of [[Kanger Ghati National Park]]<br />
* Dandak Cave of [[Kanger Ghati National Park]], length: {{convert|362|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* [[Jagdalpur#Kailash Caves.5B21.5D|Kailash Caves]] of [[Kanger Ghati National Park]], length: {{convert|253|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Devgiri Cave of [[Kanger Ghati National Park]]<br />
* Jhumar Cave of Pedawada village [[Kanger Ghati National Park]]<br />
* Jogi Cave of Gadiya Mountain [[Kanker, Chhattisgarh|Kanker]], length: {{convert|50|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Kailash Cave of [[Jashpur district]], Chhattisgarh<br />
* Kanak Cave of [[Kanger Ghati National Park]] (yet unexplored)<br />
* Kapatdwar Cave of Tokapal, [[Bastar division|Bastar]], length: {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Khuriarani Cave of Bagicha Village [[Jashpur district]], Chhattisgarh, length: {{convert|27|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* [[Kotumsar Cave]] of [[Kanger Ghati National Park]], length: {{convert|660|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Mandhip Khol, Gandai, Rajanandgaon length: {{convert|430|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Mendhkamaari Cave of [[Kanger Ghati National Park]]<br />
* Rani Cave of Tokapal, [[Bastar division|Bastar]], length: {{convert|50|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Shakal Narayan Cave of Bhopalpatnam, [[Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh]]<br />
* Shankanpalli Caves of [[Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh]]<br />
* Sheet Cave of [[Kanger Ghati National Park]], length: {{convert|25|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Singhanpur cave, Raigarh (yet unexplored)<br />
* Sondayi cave, [[Kanker, Chhattisgarh|Kanker]], length: {{convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Tular Cave of Narayanpur District, Chhattisgarh<br />
* Usur Cave of Usur Block, [[Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh]]<br />
<br />
=== [[Haryana]] ===<br />
None of these have been studied scientifically yet.<br />
<br />
* [[Dhosi Hill]] cave in [[Aravalli Range|Aravalli Mountain Range]], [[Narnaul]], [[Mahendragarh district]]<br />
* [[Tosham]] Hill cave in [[Aravalli Range|Aravalli Mountain Range]], Hisar-Tosham road, [[Bhiwani district]]<br />
* [[Yamuna Nagar district#Nar Narayan Cave Temple|Nar Narayan Cave]] in [[Sivalik Hills]] range, [[Yamuna Nagar district]]<br />
<br />
=== [[Madhya Pradesh]] ===<br />
[[File:Dandak inner panaromic view of Dandak Cave, Chhattisgarh, India.jpg|right|thumb|Dandak Cave, Chhattisgarh]]<br />
* [[Bagh Caves]] of [[Dhar]] district<br />
* [[Bhimbetka]] cave of [[Raisen District]]<br />
* Jana Mana Cave of [[Kanha National Park]]<br />
* New cave in [[Raisen District]], few ancient caves of [[Madhya Pradesh]] are well known. Few more caves have also been recently limelighted.<br />
<br />
=== [[Meghalaya]] ===<br />
[[File:Expedition is in progress in Meghalayan Caves.jpg|right|thumb|Expedition is in progress in Meghalayan Caves]]<br />
The Indian state, [[Meghalaya]] is famous for its many caves, which attract tourists not only from India but abroad too. A few of the caves in this region have been listed amongst the longest and deepest in the world.<br />
<br />
==== [[Khasi hills]] ====<br />
* Krem Dam, length: {{convert|1297|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Krem Mawmluh (4th longest in the Indian sub continent)<br />
* Krem Mawsynram<br />
* Krem Phyllut, length: {{convert|1003|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Krem Soh Shympi (Mawlong, East Khasi Hills), length: {{convert|760|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Mawsmai Cave ([[show cave]] exclusively for tourists)<br />
<br />
==== [[Khasi and Jaintia Hills|Jaintia hills]] ====<br />
* Ka Krem Pubon Rupasor or The Rupasor Cave<br />
* Krem Kotsati, length: {{convert|3650|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Krem Lashinng, length: {{convert|2650|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* [[Krem Liat Prah]], length: approx 31&nbsp;km (Longest in the Indian Subcontinent)<br />
* Krem Sweep, length: {{convert|970|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Krem Um-Lawan, length: {{convert|6381|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Krem Umshangktat, length: {{convert|955|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
<br />
==== [[Garo Hills]] ====<br />
* Bok Bak Dobhakol, length: {{convert|1051|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Dobhakol Chibe Nala, length: {{convert|1978|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Siju-Dobkhakol, length: {{convert|4772|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
* Tetengkol-Balwakol, length: {{convert|5334|m|ft|abbr=on}}<br />
Most of the caves of these areas were either discovered or [[Cave surveying|surveyed]] by the Europeans (especially by German, British and Italian cavers). Herbert Daniel Gebauer, Simon Brooks, Thomas Arbenz and Rosario Ruggieri are the most prominent name among them. Brian Khapran-Daly of Meghalaya Adventure association have expedite most of the caves of [[Meghalaya]] (stated above). In addition to these, the cavers' associations of Meghalaya have always been found to be active in cave discoveries of that plateau.<br />
<br />
=== [[Uttarakhand]] ===<br />
* Gauri Udiyar Cave in [[Bageshwar district]]<br />
* Khatling Cave in [[Tehri Garhwal district]]<br />
* [[Lakhudiyar Caves]] in [[Almora district]]<br />
* Pandkholi Cave in [[Ranikhet district]]<br />
* [[Patal Bhuvaneshwar]] Cave in [[Pithoragarh district]]<br />
* Rai Cave in [[Pithoragarh district]]<br />
* [[Robber's Cave, India|Robber's Cave]] (Guchhupani) in [[Dehradun district]]<br />
* Shivam Cave in [[Pithoragarh district]]<br />
* Sukhram Cave in [[Bageshwar district]]<br />
* Vashishtha Cave in [[Rishikesh]]<br />
and many more scientifically unexplored caves<br />
<br />
== Cultural importance ==<br />
[[Image:Ajanta (63).jpg|thumb|Panorama of the Ajanta caves]]<br />
[[Image:Lord Amarnath.jpg|thumb|Ice Shiva Lingam in the Holy Cave]]<br />
In India, many caves are popular tourist sites. The caves of [[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta]], [[Udaygiri]], [[Barabar]], [[Undavalli]], [[Pandavleni]], [[Ellora]] are famous for archaeological finds and ancient architectural value.<br />
<br />
== Religious importance ==<br />
[[Image:Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath.jpg|thumb|Cave Temple of Amarnath]]<br />
The [[stalagmite]] formations present in most natural limestone caves resemble [[Shiva Linga]], a representation of Hindu God Shiva, due to which some of the caves in India are considered of religious import. In addition, several universally known caves related to [[Buddhism]] is also exist in India. The same attraction leads local people to visit small caves as it draws tourists to large show caves. In India, [[Amarnath Temple]] caves, [[Vaishno Devi Mandir]], [[Badami Cave Temples]], [[Hulimavu Shiva cave temple]], [[Mahakali Caves]], [[Mandapeshwar Caves]], [[Pandavleni Caves]] are some of the caves with religious importance.<br />
<br />
== Current research ==<br />
Jayant Biswas and his contemporaries continue to research the biospeleology of [[Meghalaya]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Uttarakhand]] and [[Western Ghats]] to establish India amongst other notable countries on the cave map of the world.<br />
[[Image:Nemacheilus evezardi.jpg|thumb|The blind and albinic cavefish (''[[Indoreonectes evezardi|<br />
Nemacheilus evezardi]]'') from Kotumsar Cave, India]]<br />
<br />
Research is also taking place on Indian cave [[stalagmite]]s, to estimate the past monsoon climate. Dr Ashish Sinha of [[California State University]] is taking major steps to understand the past pattern of [[Monsoon of South Asia|Indian monsoons]] via cave research. In addition, Prof. Rengaswamy Ramesh; Dr. M. G. Yadava of [[Physical Research Laboratory]], Ahmedabad; Prof. Bahadur Kotlia of The Durham, [[Kumaun University]] [[Nainital]]; Dr. Syed Masood Ahmad & Mahjoor A. Lone, CSIR - [[National Geophysical Research Institute]] (NGRI), Hyderabad; and Dr. Jayant Biswas, National Cave Research and Protection Organisation, India, also initiated some research in this direction.<br />
<br />
Besides Dr. Biswas, Prof. G. Marimuthu of [[Madurai Kamaraj University]], Madurai (Chiropterology - study of [[Bat]]s); Prof. Y. Ranga Reddy [[Acharya Nagarjuna University]] (micro Crustacean: Taxonomy); Dr. Shabuddin Shaik [[Acharya Nagarjuna University]] (Crustacean Taxonomist) Dr. Daniel Harries of Edinburgh (Cave Biodiversity) and Dr. Adora Thabah of [[Bristol University]] (Chiropterology - study of [[Bat]]s); Prof. R. K. Pradhan [[Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University]] of Raipur ([[Chronobiology]]); Prof. Ramanathan Baskar [[Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology]], [[Hisar (city)|Hisar]], [[Haryana]] (Cave [[Geomicrobiology]]) are some of the known researchers who have tried to shed some light on the [[Biospeleology]] (study of organisms that live in caves) of Indian caves.<br />
<br />
== Conservation ==<br />
Unscientific quarrying of limestone led to the collapse of the Mawmluh cave of Meghalaya,<ref>Limestone mining causes part of India’s seventh longest cave to collapse [http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080428/jsp/northeast/story_9195867.jsp The Telegraph] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808190357/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080428/jsp/northeast/story_9195867.jsp |date=2009-08-08 }}</ref> and the caves of Jantia Hills are also in danger due to excessive quarrying of [[coal]].<ref>Coal mining threatens Meghalaya caves [http://www.downtoearth.org.in/node/4599 Down to Earth]</ref> Various caves in Central India serving as major religious spots are also either under threat conditions or somehow polluting the ambient environment.<ref>Govt urged to conserve caves in C’garh. [http://thehitavada.com/Encyc/2017/7/31/Govt-urged-to-conserve-caves-in-C-garh.aspx The Hitavada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803010259/http://thehitavada.com/Encyc/2017/7/31/Govt-urged-to-conserve-caves-in-C-garh.aspx |date=2017-08-03 }}</ref><br />
<br />
The 'National Cave Research and Protection Organisation, India' has been formed to help protect the caves of India.<ref>{{cite web| title=Ramesh petitioned against Lafarge plant in Meghalaya| date=16 November 2010| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-16/pollution/28238843_1_lafarge-caves-plant| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419051020/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-16/pollution/28238843_1_lafarge-caves-plant| url-status=dead| archive-date=19 April 2013| work=[[The Times of India]]| accessdate=2010-11-19}}</ref> This organization has already urged the Indian government to frame a proper Cave Protection Act.<ref>Caving in. [http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/caving-in-52339 Down to Earth]</ref> In addition, members of the Meghalaya Adventures Association (principally, Brian Kharpan Dally) work to protect the natural caves of Meghalaya.<br />
<br />
== See also ==<br />
{{Div col}}<br />
<br />
* [[List of India cave temples]]<br />
* [[List of caves#India|List of Caves in India]]<br />
* [[List of rock-cut temples in India]]<br />
* [[Indian rock-cut architecture]]<br />
* [[List of colossal sculpture in situ]]<br />
* [[Pit cave]]<br />
* [[List of caves]]<br />
{{col div end}}<br />
<br />
== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
<br />
==External links==<br />
* [https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10531-009-9710-7 Biswas Jayant 2010] Kotumsar Cave biodiversity: a review of cavernicoles and their troglobiotic traits<br />
* [http://www.environmentportal.in/files/The%20biodiversity%20of%20Krem%20Mawkhyrdop.pdf Biswas Jayant 2009] The biodiversity of Krem Mawkhyrdop of Meghalaya, India, on the verge of extinction<br />
* [http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2015/150217/ncomms7309/full/ncomms7309.html Ashish Sinha, Gayatri Kathayat, Hai Cheng, Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach, Max Berkelhammer, Manfred Mudelsee, Jayant Biswas & R. L. Edwards 2015] Trends and oscillations in the Indian summer monsoon rainfall over the last two millennia<br />
* [http://caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/v70/cave-70-03-163.pdf Harries, D.B., Ware, F.J., Fischer, C.W., Biswas, J. and Khapran-Daly, B.D. 2008] A Review of the Biospeleology of Meghalaya, India<br />
* [http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2011/2011GL047713.shtml Sinha Ashish, Berkelhammer Max , Stott Lowell , Mudelsee Manfred, Cheng Hai and Biswas Jayant 2011] The leading mode of Indian Summer Monsoon precipitation variability during the last millennium<br />
* [http://caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/v70/cave-70-03-163.pdf Harries, D.B., Ware, F.J., Fischer, C.W., Biswas, J. and Khapran-Daly, B.D. 2008] A Review of the Biospeleology of Meghalaya, India<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110726183305/http://carsologica.zrc-sazu.si/downloads/401/Ruggieri.pdf Ruggieri Rosario, Biswas Jayant 2011] The Karst Mandhip Khol-python cave complex in the lenticular limestone intercalations of the metamorphic Chhatrela formation (Chhattisgarh, India)<br />
* [http://scialert.net/qredirect.php?doi=ajb.2012.90.97&linkid=pdf Rajput Yogita and Biswas Jayant 2012] Subterranean Depth Dependent Protein Constitutions of the Micrococcus sp., Isolated from the Kotumsar Cave, India<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140503002921/http://www.caves.res.in/journal/c.htm Baskar Sushmitha and Baskar Ramanathan 2014] A Summary of Some Microbes Identified from Different Indian Caves and Their Possible Role in Mineral Formations <br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140503002921/http://www.caves.res.in/journal/c.htm Biswas Jayant 2014] Occurrence and Distribution of Cave Dwelling Frogs of Peninsular India<br />
* [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031018213005403 Mahjoor Ahmad Lone et al., 2014] Speleothem based 1000-year high resolution record of Indian monsoon variability during the last deglaciation<br />
<br />
== External links ==<br />
{{Commons category|Caves in India}}<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060818112024/http://www.cave-biology.org/ cave-biology.org] Cave biology (biospeleology) in India<br />
* [http://www.caves.res.in caves.res.in] National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India<br />
* [http://www.caves.res.in/Journal.htm Ambient Science] Scientific Peer Reviewed Journal by Nat. Cave Res. & Prot. Org., India<br />
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170927035331/http://www.questchhattisgarh.in/ questchhattisgarh.in] Some Caves of Chhattisgarh<br />
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