Meghalaya’s network of ancient caves
Context
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.
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