Meghalaya’s network of ancient caves is facing environmental threats.
Important Caves in Meghalaya
Meghalaya is called the Abode of the Clouds or Scotland of the East.
Meghalaya has the highest number of caves in India, there are more 1,700 registered caves including:
Krem Puri, the world’s longest sandstone cave.
Krem Um Ladaw, which has the deepest shaft of any cave in the world.
Neolissochilus Pnar, discovered recently, is the world’s largest cave fish.
Liat Prah limestone cave, the longest cave
Mawmluh Cave, locally known as Krem Mawmluh, is located in the Cherrapunji-Mawsynram area, known as the world’s wettest region.
It is part of the region’s extensive network of limestone and rare sandstone caves, which are vital components of the eco-sensitive Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region.
Mawmluh Cave is identifiedas a geological heritage site by the International Union of Geological Sciences, a council that works closely with
Favourable conditions: The state has all the ideal conditions for such formations to thrive: High-grade limestone, rainfall, and elevation, complete with a hot and humid climate.
Fact Box: Meghalayan Age
The International Commission on Stratigraphy termed the present age in the planet’s 4.54 billion-year history as the ‘Meghalayan Age’.
The Meghalayan Age is the scientific term for the current geological age, which started around 4,200 years ago.
It is named after Meghalaya because a stalagmite found in Mawmluh Cave provided evidence of a sudden, severe drought that affected many ancient civilisations across the world.
That drought is what geologists use to mark the beginning of the Meghalayan Age.