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Cave research in India

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{{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}}

Cave research, encompassing the study of speleology and biospeleology, is still in its infancy in India. Although there are thousands of caves in India, research expeditions occur in few states. The Siju Cave in Meghalaya is the first limelighted natural cave from India. Several studies were carried out in this cave in the early 20th century. The Kotumsar Cave in Central India is one of the most explored caves of India,Kotumsar Cave is biologically best known cave in India [https://archive.today/20130913173121/http://www.thehitavada.com/news-details/kotumsar-cave-is-biologically-best-known-cave-in-india The Hitavada] and biologists have classified many types of cavernicoles, i.e. trogloxenes, troglophiles and troglobites, from this cave.{{cite journal|title=Kotumsar Cave biodiversity: a review of cavernicoles and their troglobiotic traits | doi=10.1007/s10531-009-9710-7 | volume=19|journal=Biodiversity and Conservation|pages=275–289|year=2010 |last1=Biswas |first1=Jayant | issue=1 | bibcode=2010BiCon..19..275B | s2cid=27720600 }}

Image:Cave_sentinels_of_India.jpg Image:Inside the cave.jpg

The Indian institution mainly engaged in this particular field of research and conservation issues of Indian caves is the Raipur-based National Cave Research and Protection Organisation{{cite web|url=http://caves.res.in/|title=National Cave Research and Protection Organisation|work=caves.res.in}} (founded and headed by Dr Jayant Biswas).{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140409/jobs.htm#6|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Jobs & Careers|work=tribuneindia.com}} The other notable organisation is Meghalaya Adventurer Association (founded and managed by Brian Dermot Kharpran Daly){{cite news|title=A caver's sojourn|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/a-cavers-sojourn/article674358.ece|accessdate=9 May 2016|work=The Hindu}} which mainly involved in the caving and cave explorations of the existing caves of the state Meghalaya.{{cite web|url=https://www.adventurenation.com/activity/caving|title=Caving|work=Adventure Nation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704182137/https://www.adventurenation.com/activity/caving|archive-date=2015-07-04}}

Caving regions

= [[Andhra Pradesh]] =

Image:MeditationHallinsideBelumCave.jpg]]

= [[Chhattisgarh]] =

  • Aranyak Cave of Kanger Ghati National Park
  • Dandak Cave of Kanger Ghati National Park, length: {{convert|362|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Kailash Caves of Kanger Ghati National Park, length: {{convert|253|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Devgiri Cave of Kanger Ghati National Park
  • Jhumar Cave of Pedawada village Kanger Ghati National Park
  • Jogi Cave of Gadiya Mountain Kanker, length: {{convert|50|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Kailash Cave of Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh
  • Kanak Cave of Kanger Ghati National Park (yet unexplored)
  • Kapatdwar Cave of Tokapal, Bastar, length: {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Khuriarani Cave of Bagicha Village Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh, length: {{convert|27|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Kotumsar Cave of Kanger Ghati National Park, length: {{convert|660|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Mandhip Khol, Gandai, Rajanandgaon length: {{convert|430|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Mendhkamaari Cave of Kanger Ghati National Park
  • Rani Cave of Tokapal, Bastar, length: {{convert|50|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Shakal Narayan Cave of Bhopalpatnam, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh
  • Shankanpalli Caves of Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh
  • Sheet Cave of Kanger Ghati National Park, length: {{convert|25|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Singhanpur cave, Raigarh (yet unexplored)
  • Sondayi cave, Kanker, length: {{convert|40|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Tular Cave of Narayanpur District, Chhattisgarh
  • Usur Cave of Usur Block, Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh

= [[Haryana]] =

None of these have been studied scientifically yet.

= [[Madhya Pradesh]] =

File:Dandak inner panaromic view of Dandak Cave, Chhattisgarh, India.jpg

= [[Meghalaya]] =

{{Main article|Caves of Meghalaya}}

File:Expedition is in progress in Meghalayan Caves.jpg

The Indian state, Meghalaya is famous for its many caves, which attract tourists not only from India but abroad too. A few of the caves in this region have been listed amongst the longest and deepest in the world.

== [[Khasi hills]] ==

  • Krem Dam, length: {{convert|1297|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Krem Mawmluh (4th longest in the Indian sub continent)
  • Krem Mawsynram
  • Krem Phyllut, length: {{convert|1003|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Krem Soh Shympi (Mawlong, East Khasi Hills), length: {{convert|760|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Mawsmai Cave (show cave exclusively for tourists)

== [[Khasi and Jaintia Hills|Jaintia hills]] ==

  • Ka Krem Pubon Rupasor or The Rupasor Cave
  • Krem Kotsati, length: {{convert|3650|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Krem Lashinng, length: {{convert|2650|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Krem Liat Prah, length: approx 31 km (Longest in the Indian Subcontinent)
  • Krem Sweep, length: {{convert|970|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Krem Um-Lawan, length: {{convert|6381|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Krem Umshangktat, length: {{convert|955|m|ft|abbr=on}}

== [[Garo Hills]] ==

  • Bok Bak Dobhakol, length: {{convert|1051|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Dobhakol Chibe Nala, length: {{convert|1978|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Siju-Dobkhakol, length: {{convert|4772|m|ft|abbr=on}}
  • Tetengkol-Balwakol, length: {{convert|5334|m|ft|abbr=on}}

Most of the caves of these areas were either discovered or surveyed by the Europeans (especially by German, British and Italian cavers). Herbert Daniel Gebauer, Simon Brooks, Thomas Arbenz and Rosario Ruggieri are the most prominent name among them. Brian Khapran-Daly of Meghalaya Adventure association have expedite most of the Caves of Meghalaya (stated above). In addition to these, the cavers' associations of Meghalaya have always been found to be active in cave discoveries of that plateau.

= [[Uttarakhand]] =

and many more scientifically unexplored caves

Cultural importance

Image:Ajanta (63).jpg

Image:Lord Amarnath.jpg

In India, many caves are popular tourist sites. The caves of Ajanta, Udaygiri, Barabar, Undavalli, Pandavleni, Ellora are famous for archaeological finds and ancient architectural value.

Religious importance

Image:Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath.jpg

The stalagmite formations present in most natural limestone caves resemble Shiva Linga, a representation of Hindu God Shiva, due to which some of the caves in India are considered of religious import. In addition, several universally known caves related to Buddhism is also exist in India. The same attraction leads local people to visit small caves as it draws tourists to large show caves. In India, Amarnath Temple caves, Vaishno Devi Mandir, Badami Cave Temples, Hulimavu Shiva cave temple, Mahakali Caves, Mandapeshwar Caves, Pandavleni Caves are some of the caves with religious importance.

Current research

Jayant Biswas and his contemporaries continue to research the biospeleology of Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Western Ghats to establish India amongst other notable countries on the cave map of the world.

[[Image:Nemacheilus evezardi.jpg|thumb|The blind and albinic cavefish (''[[Indoreonectes evezardi|

Nemacheilus evezardi]]'') from Kotumsar Cave, India]]

Research is also taking place on Indian cave stalagmites, to estimate the past monsoon climate. Dr Ashish Sinha of California State University is taking major steps to understand the past pattern of Indian monsoons via cave research. In addition, Prof. Rengaswamy Ramesh; Dr. M. G. Yadava of Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad; Prof. Bahadur Kotlia of The Durham, Kumaun University Nainital; Dr. Syed Masood Ahmad & Mahjoor A. Lone, CSIR - National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Hyderabad; Dr. Anoop Kumar Singh of The Lucknow, Department of Geology, University of Lucknow; and Dr. Jayant Biswas, National Cave Research and Protection Organisation, India, also initiated some research in this direction.

Besides Dr. Biswas, Prof. G. Marimuthu of Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai (Chiropterology - study of Bats); Prof. Y. Ranga Reddy Acharya Nagarjuna University (micro Crustacean: Taxonomy); Dr. Daniel Harries of Edinburgh (Cave Biodiversity) and Dr. Adora Thabah of Bristol University (Chiropterology - study of Bats); Prof. R. K. Pradhan Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University of Raipur (Chronobiology); Prof. Ramanathan Baskar Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana (Cave Geomicrobiology) are some of the known researchers who have tried to shed some light on the Biospeleology (study of organisms that live in caves) of Indian caves.

File:Cave_Science-_Insights_from_the_Indian_Subcontinent.jpg

The very first Text cum Research Reference Book from India is published in the year 2022, titled "Cave Science, Insights from the Indian Subcontinent"[https://books.google.com/books?id=tQ52EAAAQBAJ&dq=cave+science+insight+from+the+indian+subcontinent&pg=PA01 Cave Science, Insights from the Indian Subcontinent]

The book is Published by National cave Research and Protection Organization,{{cite web|url=http://caves.res.in/|title=National Cave Research and Protection Organisation|work=caves.res.in}} edited by Jayant Biswas. This book contains total Eight Chapters, covering -Indian Caves, -Paleoclimatology, -Biospeleology, -Chiropterology, -Geomicrobiology, -Hydrogeology, -Palaeoanthropology and -Cave Conservancy. The book received a very good review, published in a very prestigious Scientific Journal of India [https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/124/01/0123.pdf Current Science]

Notable Findings from Caves of India

The Earth's age in which we are living is Meghalayan age and the name was given in 2018, by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) and formally ratified by the Executive Committee of the [https://www.episodes.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.18814/epiiugs/2018/018016 International Union of Geological Sciences] (IUGS), The research output was based on a study of Palaeoclimatology of a rock structure Stalactite collected from the Mawmluh Cave of Meghalaya.

Image:Image_11638f-Neolissochilus-pnar.jpg) from caves in Meghalaya, India]]

The biggest Cavefish of the world Neolissochilus pnar is identified from a cave of Meghalaya.{{Cite journal |last1=Dahanukar |first1=Neelesh |last2=Sundar |first2=Remya L. |last3=Rangad |first3=Duwaki |last4=Proudlove |first4=Graham |last5=Raghavan |first5=Rajeev |date=2023-02-06 |title=The world's largest cave fish from Meghalaya, Northeast India, is a new species, Neolissochilus pnar (Cyprinidae, Torinae) |url=https://vertebrate-zoology.arphahub.com/article/101011/ |journal=Vertebrate Zoology |language=en |volume=73 |pages=141–152 |doi=10.3897/vz.73.e101011 |doi-access=free |issn=2625-8498}} Further, longest Sandstone Cave of the world was also found in Meghalaya.{{cite news |date=14 April 2018 |title=The hidden secrets of India's world record-breaking 'fairy cave' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-43708758}}

Conservation

Unscientific quarrying of limestone led to the collapse of the Mawmluh cave of Meghalaya,Limestone mining causes part of India’s seventh longest cave to collapse [http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080428/jsp/northeast/story_9195867.jsp The Telegraph] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808190357/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080428/jsp/northeast/story_9195867.jsp |date=2009-08-08 }} and the caves of Jantia Hills are also in danger due to excessive quarrying of coal.Coal mining threatens Meghalaya caves [http://www.downtoearth.org.in/node/4599 Down to Earth] Various caves in Central India serving as major religious spots are also either under threat conditions or somehow polluting the ambient environment.Govt urged to conserve caves in C’garh. [https://caves.res.in/uploads/activities/1583391044t.jpg The Hitavada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803010259/http://thehitavada.com/Encyc/2017/7/31/Govt-urged-to-conserve-caves-in-C-garh.aspx |date=2017-08-03 }}

The 'National Cave Research and Protection Organisation, India' has been formed to help protect the caves of India.{{cite web| title=Ramesh petitioned against Lafarge plant in Meghalaya| date=16 November 2010| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-16/pollution/28238843_1_lafarge-caves-plant| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419051020/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-11-16/pollution/28238843_1_lafarge-caves-plant| url-status=dead| archive-date=19 April 2013| work=The Times of India| accessdate=2010-11-19}} This organization has already urged the Indian government to frame a proper Cave Protection Act.Caving in. [http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/caving-in-52339 Down to Earth] In addition, members of the Meghalaya Adventures Association (principally, Brian Kharpan Dally) work to protect the natural caves of Meghalaya.

See also

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References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs10531-009-9710-7 Biswas Jayant 2010] Kotumsar Cave biodiversity: a review of cavernicoles and their troglobiotic traits
  • [https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/96/07/0904.pdf Biswas Jayant 2009] The biodiversity of Krem Mawkhyrdop of Meghalaya, India, on the verge of extinction
  • [http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2015/150217/ncomms7309/full/ncomms7309.html Ashish Sinha, Gayatri Kathayat, Hai Cheng, Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach, Max Berkelhammer, Manfred Mudelsee, Jayant Biswas & R. L. Edwards 2015] Trends and oscillations in the Indian summer monsoon rainfall over the last two millennia
  • [http://caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/v70/cave-70-03-163.pdf Harries, D.B., Ware, F.J., Fischer, C.W., Biswas, J. and Khapran-Daly, B.D. 2008] A Review of the Biospeleology of Meghalaya, India
  • [http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2011/2011GL047713.shtml Sinha Ashish, Berkelhammer Max , Stott Lowell , Mudelsee Manfred, Cheng Hai and Biswas Jayant 2011] The leading mode of Indian Summer Monsoon precipitation variability during the last millennium
  • [http://caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/v70/cave-70-03-163.pdf Harries, D.B., Ware, F.J., Fischer, C.W., Biswas, J. and Khapran-Daly, B.D. 2008] A Review of the Biospeleology of Meghalaya, India
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20110726183305/http://carsologica.zrc-sazu.si/downloads/401/Ruggieri.pdf Ruggieri Rosario, Biswas Jayant 2011] The Karst Mandhip Khol-python cave complex in the lenticular limestone intercalations of the metamorphic Chhatrela formation (Chhattisgarh, India)
  • [http://scialert.net/qredirect.php?doi=ajb.2012.90.97&linkid=pdf Rajput Yogita and Biswas Jayant 2012] Subterranean Depth Dependent Protein Constitutions of the Micrococcus sp., Isolated from the Kotumsar Cave, India
  • [https://caves.res.in/current-issue.php?year=2014 Baskar Sushmitha and Baskar Ramanathan 2014] A Summary of Some Microbes Identified from Different Indian Caves and Their Possible Role in Mineral Formations
  • [https://caves.res.in/current-issue.php?year=2014 Biswas Jayant 2014] Occurrence and Distribution of Cave Dwelling Frogs of Peninsular India
  • [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031018213005403 Mahjoor Ahmad Lone et al., 2014] Speleothem based 1000-year high resolution record of Indian monsoon variability during the last deglaciation
  • [https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73597-9 Singh, Anoop Kumar] High Resolution Palaeoclimatic Changes in Selected Sectors of the Indian Himalaya by Using Speleothems

External links

{{Commons category|Caves in India}}

  • [http://www.caves.res.in caves.res.in] National Cave Research and Protection Organization, India
  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEkq1ySFlrQ&t=5s https://www.youtube.com/] Types of caves in India
  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZVe-i1fwPs&t=4s https://www.youtube.com/] Meghalayan Age in details
  • [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMJbIQMYym4&t=334s https://www.youtube.com/] Biggest Cavefish from India

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cave Research In India}}

Category:Research in India

Category:Cave research