MAWKHAP 2, downstream (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A complex insurgence cave south-west of –>Umbleka 2. Again developed just below the caprock and functioning as a drain of allochtoneous waters, which disappear into numerous outlets deteriorating in size. SITUATION: From the village of Khunjoy A (inspection bungalow near (±4.3 m) N25°13'31”: E091°03'46” WGS84) take the road ascending north towards Nonkulam (N25°15'40”: E091°04'05” WGS84) up to a point (N25°14'19”: E091°03'57” WGS84) where an inconspicuous jungle path (as wide as a goat track) off to the north-east initially descends some 10 vertical metres to a terrace, which, in February 2003 had been prepared for jhumming (note 1) and is fringed by fluted limestone outcrops. Walk some 15 or 20 m to the right (approximately south-south-west) to a depression (10 by 15 m wide, 5 m deep) to find the cave entrance, almost filled with angular bolders, at the base of a crescent shaped and 4 or 5 m high cliff. CAVE LIFE: Unexpectedly rare except one large spider (heavy, hairy, ad agile) and a fish population (Pisces, more than a dozen, all with two eyes (note 2), pale in colour and about 30 or 35 cm long, larger specimens weighed more than 1 kg).A complex insurgence cave south-west of –>Umbleka 2. Again developed just below the caprock and functioning as a drain of allochtoneous waters, which disappear into numerous outlets deteriorating in size. SITUATION: From the village of Khunjoy A (inspection bungalow near (±4.3 m) N25°13'31”: E091°03'46” WGS84) take the road ascending north towards Nonkulam (N25°15'40”: E091°04'05” WGS84) up to a point (N25°14'19”: E091°03'57” WGS84) where an inconspicuous jungle path (as wide as a goat track) off to the north-east initially descends some 10 vertical metres to a terrace, which, in February 2003 had been prepared for jhumming (note 1) and is fringed by fluted limestone outcrops. Walk some 15 or 20 m to the right (approximately south-south-west) to a depression (10 by 15 m wide, 5 m deep) to find the cave entrance, almost filled with angular bolders, at the base of a crescent shaped and 4 or 5 m high cliff. CAVE LIFE: Unexpectedly rare except one large spider (heavy, hairy, ad agile) and a fish population (Pisces, more than a dozen, all with two eyes (note 2), pale in colour and about 30 or 35 cm long, larger specimens weighed more than 1 kg).