MEGHALAYA'S UNIQUE CAVE SYSTEM

Meghalaya’s cave system has extended to 387 kms - one of the longest cave system in the Indian subcontinent – after conclusion of an International expedition of speleologists from around the globe.

So far 1,350 caves have been identified in Meghalaya in northeast India mostly in the limestone-rich Jaintia Hills district. 850 of these caves have been explored totally or partially, said Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association (MAA), secretary Brian D Kharpran Daly. During this expedition 19 new caves were discovered.

 The International caving expedition was 21^st of its kind and was dubbed “Caving in the abode of the clouds” and spanned over a period of 18 days from February 4.

An eighteen member team from UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Austria, Romania, Germany and India took part in the expedition, which also included three biologists and researcher from Lady Keene College.

 

Brian said in the Larket Area in Jaintia Hills district Krem Khung cave system was extended from 5065 meter to 7349 meter, making it India’s 8th longest cave. One of the characteristic of this cave is large-sized fallen boulders found everywhere inside.

Krem Labit Kseh in the Kopili Valley, on the other hand, was extended from 5910 meter to 6802 meter. The cave has fine river passages. This is one of the very few caves in India that has several rare gypsum formations, resembling flowers. It is India’s 10th longest cave.

 

The third longest cave in the sub continent, Krem Diengjem, has been extended from 21,250 meter long system to 21,359 meter and is almost close to India’s second longest cave, Krem Kotsati- Umlawan also found in the area.

Meanwhile, Brian said: “there are a lot of caves which remains to be discovered and explored. These caves provide us tremendous input on the ecology of the place, past history, besides providing opportunity for the locals and the Government to promote tourism.”