SHILLONG, April 2- Meghalaya has firmly established itself as a major caving region in the entire world with over 930 caves identified in the hill state till date. Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association (MAA) , a pioneer caving organization in the entire country, has so far explored 320 caves and mapped over 257 kms of cave passages. The Shnongrim-Tongseng Ridge alone in Jaintia Hills district accounts for 88 kms of mapped cave passages.
BD Kharpran Daly, General Secretary, MAA, told this to The Assam Tribune here today. Daly, himself a leading caver in India, has just concluded a 24 day-long cave exploration expedition for the year 2004. The project ‘Caving in the abode of the clouds’ was organized by the MAA from February 9 to March 3.
This year the exploration was concentrated mainly in the Shnongrim Ridge in the Jaintia Hills district in the state. The team comprised 33 members including 16 from MAA, 10 cavers from the United Kingdom, four from Ireland, two from Switzerland and one from Austria.
During the current season, 17.3 kms of cave passages were added to the mapped cave passages. “ A lot of tough and hazardous work was required as almost all the caves in the area are vertical.”, Daly informed. Krem Krang Wah with a vertical entrance shaft of 91 metres has emerged as India’s second deepest shaft after Krem Shrieh (97 metres deep), also in Meghalaya.
Describing the biggest achievement of the expedition this year, Daly said “ Krem Liat Prah was extended from 6.02 kms to 15 kms by connecting it to Krem Um-lm and several other caves in the vicinity. This combined cave system has now overtaken Krem Synrang Pamiang (14.1 kms) as India’s second longest cave. Two other caves-Krem Kdong Masi and Krem Tyngheng at Sem Masi village were also explored and mapped. Krem Tyngheng, which is a big sink system, was mapped to 3.7 kms but could not be completed. It is currently the 14th longest cave in the Indian sub-continent.
Daly expressed concern over the wanton destruction and defacement of the caves which are a heritage to the people of Meghalaya and the world.Referring to the recently discovered cave ‘Krem Bam Khnie’ in the village of La Myrsiang, he said “It has been mapped and explored to 738 metres.
“We have uncovered beautifully decorated cave passages, but sadly disfigured, broken and in a very sorry state in the brief period since its discovery”, he lamented. The internationally acclaimed caver said “Most of the caves that have been explored in Meghalaya, to date are impressive river caves with cave systems equal in size and beauty to any cave found elsewhere in the world.” He appealed to the people and the government to join hands to save the Nature’s gift for posterity. He, however, appreciated the help and support given by the State Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare for the success of this year’s exploration programme.