ENCHANTING CAVES OF MEGHALAYA (NOTES)

 

Q. Describe the history of the Caves of Meghalaya.

Ans: Caves in Meghalaya used to be fearful places, but in 1992, local people started to explore them. Led by Simon Brooks, the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association mapped 14.5 kilometers of passages. In 1995, they held their first International Cave Expedition called "Caving in the Abode of the Clouds." Before 1992, a few caves had been partially explored by British Army Officers, scientists, and tourists. As of now, 653 caves in Meghalaya have been explored and mapped, with a total passage length exceeding 310 kilometers. There's still a lot of potential for discovering more caves.

Q. Write about the environment and conservation of the Caves in Meghalaya.

Ans: Caves are important for scientists because they act like natural museums, holding evidence of past climates, how the Earth's surface has changed, the types of plants and animals that lived there, and even how people used the caves in the past. They give us a glimpse into history, showing us what life was like long ago. However, caves are delicate environments that can be easily damaged by changes in water flow, reclaiming land, and pollution. In Meghalaya, changes in how the land is used and deforestation are putting cave ecosystems at risk. This can change how floods happen and what kinds of nutrients are in the caves. Digging for coal and limestone is especially harmful because it wears away the soil and damages the caves.

The British Cave Research Association (BCRA) has made rules to protect caves. These rules say not to touch the natural formations, leave garbage behind, write on the walls, disturb bats, harm the original cave floors, move quickly in decorated areas, or take anything from the caves except memories or pictures. Once caves are destroyed, they can't be brought back, so it's important to keep them safe for future generations.

Q. Describe all the three caves in your own words.

Ans: All the three caves are described elaborately as under:

SIJU DOBAKKOL: Siju Dobakkol, situated by the Simsang river below Siju village, is a widely renowned cave in India. It's known for hosting tens of thousands of bats and holds the title of being the most thoroughly studied cave in the Indian subcontinent. The cave features a single main passage along the river, filled with aged boulders. Upon entering, there's a large chamber bustling with a significant bat population. Further exploration reveals two spacious chambers: one with streams entering from above, and another with a smaller stream. The primary stream inside the cave is controlled by joints and extends for about 600 meters. Over time, the cave's length has increased from 1200 meters in 1981 to its current 4,772 meters, now ranking as India's 14th longest cave.

KREM SYNDAI: Syndai, a village with a rich history located in the Jaintia Hills, boasts a well-known cave called Krem Syndai, stretching over 400 meters. This cave is famous for its remarkable calcite formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone. During the Shivaratri festival, Hindu sadhus hold Krem Syndai in high regard. Nearby, there's another cave called Krem Rupasor or Krem Shuki, which is dry and spans a length of 970 meters. The entrance to this cave is a small depression, and the passage inside forms a perfect square with sides measuring 25 meters each.

KREM MARAI: Krem Marai, located near Nongkrem and Shillong Peak, is a cave that stretches about 30 meters long. It's connected to the legendary figure known as ‘Pah Syntiew,’ who is considered the ancestral queen mother of the Syiem chiefs of Mylliem and Khyrim. According to a story that circulated, a clever man once trapped a young woman in this cave by showing her a flower named “U liew-jalyngkleng.” This young woman was called “Ka Pah Syntiew” and was believed to be the daughter of the god “Shillong.” The Syiem chiefs trace their lineage back to this legendary ancestress, who supposedly lived in a cave near Shillong Peak. The Khyrim Syiemship continues to hold annual religious ceremonies dedicated to her, while the Nongkrem festival attracts a broader audience among the Khasis.

Q. Describe the cave life.

Ans: In the caves of Meghalaya, you can find a variety of animals that have adapted to the tough conditions there. These creatures, known as troglobitic animals, have adjusted by losing their skin color, eyesight, and developing longer sensory hairs and antennae. They are rare and only found in this region, making them important for studying how animals evolve and how they're distributed in different areas.

Among the creatures commonly found in Meghalaya caves are spiders, harvestmen, pseudo-scorpions, millipedes, crickets, cockroaches, beetles, flies, woodlice, crabs, shrimps, crayfish, and fish. The diversity of cave creatures here is greater and more distinct than in any other caves in India. Recent observations suggest that Meghalaya's caves are uniquely positioned and likely home to even more undiscovered species.