Mawmluh Cave in Meghalaya Faces Threat from Climate Change and Mining

Mawmluh Cave Latest News

Climate change and mining are threatening Mawmluh Cave fragile cave systems, altering rainfall and groundwater patterns while destroying geological formations and underground ecosystems.

About Mawmluh Cave

• Location: It is located at Sohra in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.
• It is locally known as Krem Mawmluh.
• It was the first cave that was explored by a British official Lieutenant Yule in 1844.
• It is one of the longest and deepest caves in India, holds evidence of the events in the geological history of Earth. 
• At 7.2 km in length, it is the fourth longest cave in the Indian subcontinent.
• The cave is part of the Meghalayan Age, the latest age in Earth’s official geological timeline, which began around 4,200 years ago and continues today.
• Geological Structures
  • It is known for its stalagmite structures and other rock formations.
  • The cave has several entrances, has formed at the junction between an early Eocene dolomite and a sandstone formation.
  • It contains numerous stalactites, stalagmites, columns and drapes, collectively termed speleothems. 
• Recognition: In 2022, it was recognised among the First 100 Geological Heritage Sites by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).

Source: IM

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