>Citation bot at 02:56, 9 April 2021

2021-04-09T02:56:40Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2020}}
[[File:Expedition is in progress in Meghalayan Caves.jpg|right|thumb|Cave expedition in Meghalaya]]
[[File:Mawsmai Cave Meghalaya.JPG|right|thumb|Mawsmai Cave well near [[Cherrapunji]], [[well cave]]<ref name=Tour/>]]
The '''Caves of Meghalaya''' comprise a large number of caves in the [[Jaintia Hills district|Jaintia]], [[Khasi Hills]] and [[Garo Hills]] districts in the Indian state of [[Meghalaya]], and are amongst the longest caves in the world. Of the ten longest and deepest caves in India, the first nine are in Meghalaya, while the tenth is in [[Mizoram]]. The longest is [[Krem Liat Prah]] in the Jaintia Hills, which is {{convert|30957|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}.<ref name=Tour>{{Cite web|url=http://megtourism.gov.in/caves.html|title=Caves|publisher=Tourism Department, Government of Meghalaya}}</ref><ref name= Kaur>{{Cite news|last=Kaur|first= Preetinder |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140409/jobs.htm#6|title=Subject Matter: Speleology:Explorers' delight |date=9 April 2014|newspaper=The Tribune India}}</ref>{{Sfn|Daly|2013|p=123}} The word "Krem" means cave in the local [[Khasi language]].<ref name=Signs>{{Cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080428/jsp/northeast/story_9195867.jsp|title=Cave-in proves ecologists right- Limestone mining causes part of India's seventh longest cave to collapse|date=28 April 2008|publisher=The Telegraph India}}</ref>

The exploration of the Caves of Meghalaya is currently undertaken for both scientific and recreational pursuits,<ref name=Feb>{{Cite news|url=http://meghalayadaily.com/caves.html|title=Caves in Meghalaya (As on February 2006)|date=February 2006|newspaper=Meghalaya Daily}}</ref>) and there are still many unexplored and partially explored caves in the state.<ref name=Nature>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adventurenation.com/activity/caving|title=What is Caving|publisher=Adventure & Nature Network Pvt. Ltd|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704182137/https://www.adventurenation.com/activity/caving|archive-date=2015-07-04}}</ref> The annual caving expeditions organized by Meghalaya Adventurers Association (MAA) are known as "Caving in the Abode of the Clouds Project".<ref name="Nature"/><ref name=Caving>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiancaving.org.uk/wiki/doku.php?id=exploration:2000|title= Exploration 2000: Caving in the Abode of the Clouds Project |publisher=Indian caving Organization}}</ref> The caves, because they are located primarily in limestone formations, continue to come under threat from the limestone mining industry.<ref name=Signs/>

==History==

According to the [[Bengal gazette]], [[Krem Mawmluh]] was the first cave to be explored by a British subject, Lt. Yule, in 1844.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/The%20biodiversity%20of%20Krem%20Mawkhyrdop.pdf|title=The biodiversity of Krem Mawkhyrdop of Meghalaya, India, on the verge of extinction}}</ref> [[Siju Cave]] in Garo Hills was studied in 1922 when {{Convert|1200|m}} was explored and four species of cave life forms were identified.{{Sfn|Daly|2013|p=40}} After the [[British Raj|British Raj period]] extensive interest has been generated in caving as an adventure sport in the state. Since the 1990s, an exclusive organization known as the Meghalaya Adventurers Association (MAA) (located in [[Shillong]]) has been carrying out annual explorations in association with European [[speleologists]], cavers from India, experts from other regions of the world, the [[Indian Army]] and the [[Indian Navy]],<ref name= Kaur/><ref name=Nature/><ref name=Flies>{{Cite web|url=https://caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/v71/cave-71-01-81.pdf|title=Scuttle Flies (Diptera: Phoridae) from Caves in Meghalaya, India|publisher= Journal of Cave and Karst Studies}}</ref> bringing to light a large number and length of caves in Meghalaya, relative to other known [[karst]] regions of the country.<ref name=Flies/>

==Numbers and size of caves==

As of March 2015, 1,580 caves and cave locations have been identified in Meghalaya, of which 980 caves have been fully or partially explored, for a total length of {{Convert|427|km}} caves explored.<ref name=Find>{{Cite news|url=http://cavingnews.com/20150330-2015-meghalaya-caving-expedition-continues-to-find-new-caves|title=2015 Meghalaya Caving Expedition Continues to Find New Caves|date= 30 March 2015 |publisher= cavingnews.com}}</ref> With an explored length of {{Convert|30957|m}}, [[Krem Liat Prah]] in Jaintia Hills is the longest cave in Meghalaya, as well as India, and is listed among the longest caves in the world.{{Sfn|Daly|2013|p=123}}<ref name=Longest/> Krem Liat Prah contains a huge passage called the "Aircraft Hangar."<ref name=Tour/> Since the MAA was established in 1994, the explored caves account for only about 5% of the total underground passages in the state of Meghalaya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.caves.res.in/journal/articles/Amb_Sci_01(2)_Features.pdf|title=Longest/Deepest Limestone Caves of Indian Subcontinent|year=2014|publisher=Ambient Science}}</ref>

==Conservation==
Limestone mining for the cement industry is a major threat to the Caves of Meghalaya,<ref name=Signs/> causing a major collapse of the [[Krem Mawmluh]] cave, the seventh longest cave in the state of [[Meghalaya]]. The "cave-in" stimulated public awareness of the potential threat mining places to the rich scientific, tourism and ecological heritage. Ecologists and speleologists pressured the Government of Meghalaya to take effective steps to stop limestone mining in the vicinity of the limestone caves in the state.<ref name=Signs/> During the mid 1990s, a cement plant was planned close to the Siju Cave (called the Bat Cave), near [[Balphakram National Park]] in the Garo Hills. This project generated strong opposition from the local community, supported by international scientists, as the cave hosts many rare species of bats. After considerable public pressure was applied, the Ministry of Environment and Forests finally withheld clearance for the project.<ref name="Karlsson2011">{{cite book|author=Bengt G. Karlsson|title=Unruly Hills: A Political Ecology of India's Northeast|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_-MRFbForK4C&pg=PA182|date=15 May 2011|publisher=Berghahn Books|isbn=978-0-85745-105-7|pages=182–}}</ref>

==List of twenty longest caves in Meghalaya==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
!System
!Length
!Location
!Formation
!Remarks
|- valign="top"
|[[Krem Liat Prah]]
|{{convert|30957|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}{{Sfn|Daly|2013|p=123}}<ref name=Longest>{{Cite web|url=http://www.caverbob.com/wlong.htm|title= Worlds Longest Caves|date=4 June 2015|publisher= caverbob.com}}</ref>
|[[Jaintia Hills]]
| align="center" |Limestone
| In the Shnongrim Ridge. Huge trunk passage called the Aircraft Hangar. Longest cave in the Indian Subcontinent.<ref name=Tour/>
|- valign="top"
| {{plainlist|
* Krem KotSati
* Kotsati – Umlawan Cave System
}}
|{{convert|21530|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}{{Sfn|Daly|2013|p=123}}
|Lumshnong village, [[Jaintia Hills]]
| align="center" |Limestone
|24 entrances, both horizontal and vertical. Needs to swim to enter the caves<ref name=Tour/>
|- valign="top"
| {{plainlist|
* Krem Tyngheng
* Diengjem
}}
|{{convert|21250|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}{{Sfn|Daly|2013|p=71}}
|[[Jaintia Hills]]
| align="center" |Limestone
|Near Sammasi village. many side passages and very impressive.{{Sfn|Daly|2013|p=123}}
|- valign="top"
| {{plainlist|
* {{nowrap|Krem Umthloo-Synrang Labbit}}
* Synrang-Pamiang
}}
|{{convert|18181|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}{{Sfn|Daly|2013|p=123}}
|[[Chiehruphi]] village, on [[NH 44]], [[Jaintia Hills]]
| align="center" |Limestone
|Dendritic pattern of stream cave passage. Many entrances. "Titanic Hall" chamber with coloured formations in orange, red, black, grey, blue, green and white.<ref name=Tour/>
|- valign="top"
|
{{plainlist|
* Krem Chympe
* Piel Khlieng Pouk
}}
|{{convert|12434|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|From village Khaddum to Sielkan, [[Jaintia Hills]]
| align="center" |Limestone
|A river cave. 50 natural dams or gours, {{Convert|6|-|8| m}} high. Large colony of bats.<ref name=Tour/>
|- valign="top"
| {{plainlist|
* Krem Shrieh
* Tangnub
}}
|{{convert|8862|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Tour/>
|Tangnub village, [[Jaintia Hills]]
| align="center" |Limestone
|Also known as Very large vertical entrance shaft of {{Convert|97|m}} depth leads to fine stream passage and plethora of high fossil passages.<ref name=Tour/>
|- valign="top"
|Krem Tyngheng
|{{convert|8671|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Jaintia Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|
|- valign="top"
| {{plainlist|
* Krem Mawkhyrdop
* Krem Mawmluh
}}
|{{convert|7194|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Khasi Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|Filled with water needs wading, ceiling is {{Convert|2.5|ft}}, formations of stalactite, stalagmite, and rock fossils. Also large number of bats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.outdoorjournal.in/how-to-2/caving/caving-for-beginners/|title=Caving for beginners – Meghalaya|date=20 August 2013|work=The Outdoor Journal}}</ref> A [[speleothem]] in Mawmluh cave indicates a [[4.2 kiloyear event|dramatic worldwide climate event around 2250 BC]], and has been selected by the [[International Commission on Stratigraphy]] as the boundary [[stratotype]] of the [[Meghalayan]] stage/age of the late [[Holocene]].<ref>[https://www.qpg.geog.cam.ac.uk/news/formalsubdivisionoftheholoceneseriesgeogr18.pdf Formal subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch]</ref>
|- valign="top"
| {{plainlist|
* Krem Lymput
* Nongjri
}}
|{{convert|6641|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Nongjri village, Khasi Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|Attraction is from a small entrance leads to {{Convert|1|km}} passage called "Way to Heaven," and further to a Mughal Room (more than {{Convert|25|m}} wide, {{Convert|25|m}} high, and {{Convert|75| m}} long).<ref name=Tour/>
|- valign="top"
| {{nowrap|Krem Rongdangngai Mondil Kol}}
|{{convert|5831|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Jaintia Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|
|- valign="top"
| {{plainlist|
* Krem Shyrong Labbit
* Shyieng Khlieh
}}
|{{convert|5715|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Jaintia Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|
|- valign="top"
|Tetengkil Balwakol
|{{convert|5681|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Nengkhong village, [[Garo Hills]]
| align="center" |Limestone
| two circular entrances of {{Convert|1|m}} dia expanding to walking height passages with dendric river flow.<ref name=Tour/>
|- valign="top"
|Krem Umsynrang
|{{convert|5612|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Jaintia Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|
|- valign="top"
| {{plainlist|
* [[Siju Cave]]
* Siju–Dobhakhol
}}
|{{convert|4772|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Siju village, Garo Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|It is in the vertical side of the [[Simsang River]].<ref name="DikshitDikshit2013">{{cite book|author1=Kamal Ramprit Dikshit|author2=Jutta K Dikshit|title=North-East India: Land, People and Economy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iorHBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA124|date=21 October 2013|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-94-007-7055-3|pages=124–}}</ref> Also known as "bat cave". Has attractive stalagmites and stalactites. It has a Di's chamber.<ref name=Tour/> The cave has been extensively researched and is well known.<ref name="Daly2013">{{cite book|author=Brian D. Kharpran Daly|title=Caves for the Uninitiated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9AQGdP3KegYC&pg=PA40|date=January 2013|publisher=Strategic Book Publishing|isbn=978-1-61897-470-9|pages=40–}}</ref>
|- valign="top"
|Krem Risang
|{{convert|4565|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Jaintia Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|
|- valign="top"
|Krem Synrang Ngap
|{{convert|4172|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Jaintia Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|Initial reaches consist of calcite bosses to reach a major junction leading to an inlet tunnel converging to a smaller section of passage beyond which are potholed galleries with cave pearl-like sandstone pebbles in the floor<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.bec-cave.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1196:meghalaya-2005&catid=62&Itemid=566&lang=en|title=Meghalaya|publisher=Bristol Exploration Club}}</ref>
|- valign="top"
|Krem Synrang Labbit
|{{convert|3933|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Jaintia Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|
|- valign="top"
|Krem Wah Ryngo – Khongrang
|{{convert|3416|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Jaintia Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|
|- valign="top"
|Krem Iawe
|{{convert|3398|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Shnongrim-Tangnub Ridge, Jaintia Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|Daylight lit very wide pothole entrance. A number of attractive fossil passages.<ref name=Tour/>
|- valign="top"
|Krem Mawshun
|{{convert|3339|m|sp=us|abbr=on|sigfig=4}}<ref name=Feb/>
|Near church Lelad, Khasi Hills
| align="center" |Limestone
|Dendritic master river cave. Has many decorated high level passages.<ref name=Tour/>
|}

== See also ==
* [[Cave research in India]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last= Daly |first=Brian D. Kharpran |title=Caves for the Uninitiated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9AQGdP3KegYC&pg=PA123|date=January 2013|publisher=Strategic Book Publishing|isbn=978-1-61897-470-9}}

{{coord missing|Meghalaya}}

[[Category:Caves of Meghalaya| ]]
[[Category:Meghalaya-related lists]]
[[Category:Lists of caves in India|Meghalaya]]

Caves of Meghalaya - Revision history

>Citation bot at 02:56, 9 April 2021