MAWMLUH CAVE

(Shella Bholaganj - IN)
25.258900,91.711900
Grottocenter / carte

Description

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 24/04/2016

The "Cave [of the] Rock Entrance / Stone Gate" (in Khasi: Krem Mawkhyrdop) is better known among outsiders by the name of the nearby village of Mawmluh (25°15'10”N: 91°42'20”E). ETYMOLOGY: The Khasi "u maw" signifies »a stone« (SINGH, N 1906: 130) and "ka mluh" means »the salt« (SINGH, N 1920: 450) but "u soh mlúh" is the name of a kind of fruit, the »Indian Plum [note 1]« (SINGH, N 1906: 208) and "ka khyrdop" (Khasi; noun) has been translated as »a gate« (SINGH, N 1906: 39; SINGH, N 1920: 199; BLAH, E 2007: 115), »portal« (SINGH, N 1906: 39) and »threshold« (SINGH, N 1920: 527). More often than not, however, the main cave entrance (insurgence) is not called Krem Mawkhyrdop but Mawmluh Cave after the name of the nearby village of »Mawmluh« (Survey of India sheet 78-O/11 editions 1912, 1937, 1974) of which the meaning has been translated by »salt stone« (note 2), »salt-stone« (YULE, H 1844: 619) or »stone of salt« and is found spelled, edited or printed as Maemluh BROOKS, S J (1998e: 3) Mamaloo F. (1829: 254) Mamalú F. (1829: 254) Mamloo ALLEN, W J (1858: 31, appendix 3: xii); HOOKER, J D (1854-1855, 2, chapter XXVIII passim) Mamlu CRACROFT, W (1831) Mamluh MEDLICOTT, H B (1869a: 22, 28 = 172, 178); OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984: 17) Maomluh GURDON, P R T (1906: 144) Maumlú YULE, H (1844: 619) Maumluh BECKER, C (1927: 379) Maw'mluh OLDHAM, T (1859: 173) Maw-m'luh OLDHAM, T (1859: 158) Mawm'luh OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984: 9, 28, 40 appendix A: i); OLDHAM, T (1859: 109, 119, 135) Mawmluh LONELY PLANET, India (1997: 588); SHIELD, R (1993: 22) Mawmuluh DIXIT, Y et al. (2014) Momlú X. Y. Z. (1829: 276). EVALUATION: Since at least 200'000 years before present (note 3), the perennially active tunnel cave drains allochthonous (allogenic) waters, which flow from catchment areas in the north, by a dendritic system of vadose stream cave passages to a resurgence (karst rising) in the south. A secondary role play autochthonous (autogenic) waters accumulating seasonally from local precipitation during the rainy seasons (monsoon) and entering via dolines at the head of avens and underground canyons. The interstratal cave is developed in Cherra Limestone, which is sandwiched between a caprock of Lakadong Sandstone (with some coal beneath) and the Cherra Sandstone at its base. The cave bearing hill, and potentially the cave as, is quarried for limestone, processed, bagged and sold by the Mawmluh Cherra Cement Works, which for many years (till 2005) was one of the very few relatively "large scale" industries of Meghalaya State (note 4). The persons in charge of the cement plant provide employment for a few local people, drain money to resourceful people in distant cities, and abuse the cave as a cheap, quick and easy waste disposal. »Cherrapunjee has many wonderful caves, e.g. Krem Mawmluh with its more than 7 kms. of passage could be a great attraction for tourists. Sadly, this international standard cave is on the verge of extinction by the continuing mining of limestone over the cave system during the last 40 years. In the not too distant future, Krem Mawmluh will simply cease to exist and Cherrapunjee would loose one of its greatest assets« (KHARPRAN DALY, B D 2005: 171). SITUATION: The main cave entrance and swallow hole (insurgence) of the famous cave (note 5) lies at the base of the west-facing flank of the hill called Lum Lawbah and Rangsanobo or Rynsan U Bah (note 6), and is found in the back of an obvious, amazingly dark grey coloured assemblage of eyesores, the Cherra Cements works, which lies about 3 km in a direct line north-east from the centre of the village of Mawmluh or »Mamloo Poonjee« (ALLEN, W J 1858 appendix 3: xii) that is locally rather pronounced like "Maw Maluh" (note 7). Only the approximate area is indicated on the Survey of India toposheets with »Coal Mine« (Survey of India sheet 78-O/11, One Inch series, 1913 edition), »Caves« (Survey of India sheet 78-0/SE, Half-Inch Series, 1923 edition) and»Caves« and »Coal Mine« (Survey of India sheet 78-O/11, One Inch series, 1938 edition) but all these markers indicate not a cave in the speleological sense of the word because they indicate the –>Lum Lawbah Doline, the huge closed depression on the surface above the cave. SITUATION 2002: »Mawmluh Cave -- Access to the cave via the river, which lies to the South East of the Cement Factory of high deep water (low water conditions). The entrance is about 10 ft. above water level, a single entrance leading to a double passage way where the upper portion in certain areas have caved in due to intensive quarrying of limestone above the cave. The river enters the cave into pools of water within the cave. The first hundred meters through the main passage way one encounters an impressive chamber. At the end of the river passage there is a sharp left turn to the east into high conical shaped ovens. This continues in a walking size passageway rather dry sandy floor to arrive at another junction. At this junction to the South of 300 meters walking size passage ends in a cluster of boulders. The main way continues eastward which narrows down to a wide crawl 20 meters in length. Beyond this point there is a wider passageway leading to a small inlet, which become very tight after approximately 100 meters. Beyond this point are large ovens and ovens and low crawls from time to time continues in a northern easterly direction with a diversion to the west with impressive hall ways« (DIRECTOR OF TOURISM 2002 s.a.). SETTING 1850: »Mamloo is a large village, on the top of a spur … it is buried in a small forest, particularly rich in plants, and is defended by a stone wall behind … The fan-palm, Chamaerops Khasiana ("Pakha," Khas.), grows on the cliff's near Mamloo: it may be seen on looking over the edge of the plateau, its long curved trunk rising out of the naked rocks, but its site is generally inaccessible; while near it grows the Saxifragis ciliaris of our English gardens, a common plant in the north-west Himalaya, but extremely scarce in Sikkim and the Khasia mountains« (HOOKER, J D 1854-1855, 2: 277-279). APPROACH 1994-2007: From the T-junction (near 25°17'05”N: 91°43'30”E) on the main road (60 km north to Shillong, ca. 15 km south to Therriah) in the outskirts of Sohra (Cherrapunjee) proper, the road south leads after 2 km or 3 km (note 8) to "Lower Cherra", the crossroad settlement Saitsohpen (note 9), where one can get a cup of tea and buy "biskitts" (biscuits). From here, the road west (towards Shella) turns by and by south-west and passes after some 3 km the Mawmluh Cherra Cement Works Limited. The road is probably best left on foot at a spot about 100 m short of (north of) the cement works, from where the cave is easily reached within minutes by walking across the grass land east (left) and past huts / single-storied houses down to the streambed, which exposes a bumpy sandstone surface (note 10). The cave entrance itself is reached by following the streambed some 200 m downstream to where the streambed and the flowing water disappears at the base of a north-facing limestone outcrop (of which the upper part quarried) and takes an underground route beneath the south-western corner of the hill –>Lum Lawbah (1357 m asl). POSITION: 25°15.5'N: 91°42.7'E: 1320 m asl probably serves most purposes. Actually measured had been near the entrance 1 (insurgence) (±32 m) 25°15'32”N: 91°42'43”E / 25.258889°N: 91.711944°N / UTM 46R N2794237 E370289 (WGS84, unreliable 4-channel GPS Garmin 4, Gebauer H D 1998). The estimated altitude of 1320 m asl is concluded from deducting the circa 30 m thickness of the limestone outcrop plus about 10 m of sandstone cap from the approximate height 1360 m indicated on the Survey of India sheets (note 11). 1300 m asl (uncalibrated Casio wristwatch altimeter, Breitenbach 2006.03.18). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1830 / 1831: »… a cave in a limestone rock, into which a stream of water continually runs. The rock has veins of rhomboidal spar in it; and no doubt, various forms of crystals might be found on search; but for this I had not time, neither could I penetrate into the cave, having no means of passing the water: I brought away a few specimens. In passing from this cave, homeward, I met with a great quantity of stalactitic ironstone; it is difficult to imagine how it became strewed over the plain« (CRACROFT, W 1831: 172). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1854: Thomas OLDHAM (1854 / 1984: 28, 1859: 136), being unaware of dissolutional processes of karstification, reported from a location »near to the station of Cherra Poonjee« the occurrence of limestones, which he interpreted as »having been subjected to much local excavation by running in the several large caves which penetrate these rocks; and whose smooth and polished marble-like sides [note 12], at once indicate the power which excavated them. Of these the most remarkable are those near Mamw'luh, and near Mawsmai at opposite sides of the ridge.« CAVE DESCRIPTION 1934: The village of »Mawmluh abounds in stone erections [standing stones, menhirs]. L. of the road, just short of the village on the way to the outlet of the Great cave, is a beautiful old stone bridge … The Cave water inflow is reached by turning left over the grass short of Mawmluh and nearer Cherrapunji and following the stream down. There are two entrances, upper and lower. The cave is simple but not recommended to the inexperienced being still in the stage of rapid formation due to flood erosion and possibly earthquake falls [note 13]. It may be entered for several hundred yards to, at present, a shallow pool or well. There is no through route. The water-outlet end is loose and abounds in passages and is less recommended. It requires a great deal of finding as several jungle-clad streams emerge on the S. side of the hill. The entrance (water exit) chamber (pool) is quite safe, however. Leopard may be met with [note 14]« (ALLSUP, F W 1934: 64-65). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1939: »The big cave, (Mawmluh) whilst easy of access from the stream inlet end, has a great deal of loose stuff in [note 15] whilst the outlet end, got at from the South side of the hill, is positively dangerous with talus and loose stuff. […] It is not a place to send non-cavers in at all. I have been in the inlet end more than once since. The last time, 34 I think it was, there was still no "through-route", the water, as in 31/32 on our first visit, just disappearing in debris at the foot of a short drop in the bed … This cave is obviously still in a state of rapid formation [note 16]. The rush of water after the local heavy rain must be very great. There is practically no film, still less stalagmitic formation [note 17]« (Allsup, F W 1939: 04.17 Mss). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1949: »A Tcherrapoundji, ne pas loger en haut près du village, main en bas, dans la maison des voyageurs, celle-ci très bien placée pour la visite aux grottes. La grande caverne est à une distance d'environ 3 kilomètres et située à seulement une centaine de mètres de la route carrossable. Se renseigner pour trouver le sentier. On pénètre soit en marchant dans le lit du torrent (de l'eau glaciale, début février, jusqu'à la ceinture; à bout de moyens d'éclairage, j'ai dû sortir par là) soit en montant à un orifice un peu à droite de la résurgence. A moins d'être jeune et agile il est assez difficile d'y grimper sans l'aide d'une planche qu'il faudra apporter de la maison des voyageurs. La grotte est très étendue (elle n'a jamais été explorée à fond, dit-on) et possède de nombreuses ramifications ; l'eau y coule en abondance et parfois avec force et il paraît que des changements de structure, pouvant même bloquer un passage se produisent parfois. Comme, d'après l'expérience que j'ai faite on ne peut pas se fier à la compétence des guides, il est bon de prendre certaines précautions, en plus de celle d'une ample provisions de moyen d'éclairage (j'ai failli y rester dans le obscurité, le pétrole et les bougies épuisés, avec un 'guide' ignorant, qui avait perdu le sens de la direction): faire stationner quelqu'un à l'extérieur de la grotte avec instructions d'agir au bout d'un temps convenu … Pour l'examen d'une partie de la grotte on doit compter au moins 3 heures. J'y ai fait une assez riche collection de Cyclopides, Isopodes et Décapodes [note 18]« (LINDBERG, K 1949: 41). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1969: »A member of the Himalayan Club (Allsup, 1934) … did explore the caves of Mawsmai and of Mawmluh. … The Mawmluh Cave is found by turning left over the grass short of the village, and by following the stream down to the two entrances. The passage is several hundred yards long, leading to a pitch; but he found no passage to the resurgences which emerge in several places in the jungle on the south side of the hill and which 'abound in passages'. If it were not for the discrepancy between sink and rising, this description would fit the long cave visited by Lindberg (1949). Lindberg visited a cave 3 kilometres from Cherrapunji and 100 metres from the motor road, whence there was a path to the entrance in the stream bed. There was an alternative entrance above and to the right of the rising [sic! for: sinkhole]. The cave is 1,357 metres above sea level [note 19], wet and has side passages. He called it the 'Maosmai Cave' but wrote later (Lindberg, 1960) that it was not the Mawsmai Cave [note 20]. It must be at least 300 metres long, because Manfredi (1954) described three specimens of Assamodesmus lindbergi found that distance from the entrance. Lindberg also saw a dry cave [i.e. Krem Mawsmai], several [hundred] metres long, a little further to the south, but found there nothing of interest« (CRAVEN, S A 1969: 18). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1971: WALTHAM (1971: 81) confused Mawmluh cave with Krem Mawsmai: »The Khasi and Jaintia Hills around Shillong abound in karst features and include the Mawsmai Cave [sic!], at least 1000 feet long containing a large amount of water and not yet fully explored. Further west the Siju Cave [Dobhakol, Siju village, South Garo Hills] contains at least 3900 feet of large passage, some still active.« CAVE DESCRIPTION 1993: »Caves in the Abode of the Clouds, Rob Harper. A slide show on a rarely visited region of Northern India, Meghalaya, took the opening slot. … Agon, a fossil cave with lots of dry calcite, and Mawmluh (the largest in India so far) which is a streamway 20-30 m deep with a sandstone floor ending in a large area of dry oxbows, were two of the caves mentioned« (SHIELD, R 1993: 22). CAVE DESCRIPTION 2002 (Gebauer 2002.03.01 modified after BROOKS, S J 1993): The main insurgence (sink entrance, facing north, up to 15 wide and 4 m high), requires wading through water (up to 0.7 m deep) which, in the dry season, turns into a sandy slurry spiced with discarded petroleum products and changes its colours (pale grey, orange, pitch black) in accordance with the sewage emitting activities of the cement works on the upstream. Facing the main entrance on the right-hand side and two to four metre above the stream, is a smaller entrance (note 21), which, having crossed the slippery inlet and negotiated the 3 m climb up, leads via a pool passage and a hands & knees crawl across wet sand to the main drag about 100 m in. The main entrance requires wading in sand or slurry and leads straight to an impressive passage (on average 17 m wide and 4.8 m high, 420 m long = 41,000 cubic metre) that gradually increases in width, being in one place 28 m wide. At a slurry-wading distance of 85 m downstream this CEMENT WORKS SEWAGE (note 22) and off to the right (opposite across a solitary, circa 1.5 m diameter boulder), there is a much smaller passage, which leads to a walking size passage (parallel to the main passage) and back to the high level Bypass Entrance. About 30 m downstream from this junction, the more obvious West Inlet (12 by 3.5 m) leads after 160 m to a cave chamber named BAT CHAMBER (12 by 15 by 7 m), due to the unspecified »considerable number of bats« to be found there. A maze of relic cave passages (200 m long, 2 m by 2 m) at an elevation of 10 m above the Western Inlet passes below a third entrance (see: Mawmluh Cave 3) and finally ends in a massive collapse (quarry!) with a rusty steel rope wedged between boulders. There is evidence to suggest that this section of the cave represents an inlet from the western flank of the local syncline. About 200 m down Cement Works Sewage, an expansive area of the ceiling has caved in and the rock fall forms sort of a plateau some 4 m above the eastern (orographically left) bank of the stream. Along the eastern rim of this plateau there are a couple of climbs up lead to relic cave passages abandoned by the stream. Immediately beyond (south) this plateau, the cave passage gains suddenly in height where an aven rises to the maximal possible height of 24 m and touches the sandstone caprock forming the ultimate limits of the cave ceiling. From this aven downstream, a perched ceiling channel, the initial canyon, meanders more or less above the main passage, now marked by a cross-section resembling an inverted letter "T".Cement Works Sewage leads to the "HORN JUNCTION" and the stream continues straight towards the south in a smaller passage that runs for just under 100 m to continue flooded beyond a sump. Above and to the west of the sump is a choke of large cobbles, which have been dug through in 1994 to yield another 400 m of cave passage consisting of a streamway passing a bedding sump, some dry passage and several conical-shaped avens (note 23). At Horn Junction, the Cement Works Sewage, complete with it's Initial Canyon, is joined from the east by the CHRISTMAS CANYON, which occasionally takes a lot of water from the main inlet (Cement Works Sewage), as indicated by a rich variety of rubbish decorations which swing gently in the airflow even at heights of 8 m above the floor. The Christmas Canyon leads after about 100 m to an other junction marked by a small aven. From here, the DOG SKULL STREAM enters from the north (note 24), crosses the main walk, sinks into a maze (2 m wide, 1.2 m high, 200 m long) and flows towards the south-south-east in walking sized PSEUDO SUMP PASSAGE (3 m wide, 4 m high, 300 m long) which can be followed to a point where it terminates draughting among a choke of large limestone and sandstone boulders above a 20 m long low pool. The Pseudo Sump drains most likely to the main resurgence (see below: Allsup Stream).Beyond Dogskull outlet, the ramble along the Christmas Canyon continues eastwards in good sized passage becoming gradually more aquatic to a point where the roof drops to form what some consider a CRAWLY BIT (0.4 m wide, 12 m high, 20 m long) but which can be walked through for most of its length by following a partly calcite blocked ceiling channel that needs a bit of finding. Immediately beyond the crawl, the 800 m long NORTH-EAST INLET enters, passes a beautiful lateral stage decorated with picturesque calcite formations (speleothems) and a hidden crawl to relic passages (more speleothems) to increase in size and to pass -- going upstream -- a dry and a wet bypass before it enters the BIG AVEN (note 25) that offers an adjacent maze of partly mapped crawls (preliminary total: 250 m) with at least four low, unexplored and sand-floored (occasionally sand-filled) inlets waiting for explorers ready to find a long way upstream to a northernmost inlet. Approximately 200 m before reaching Big Aven, another large BAT PISS AVEN can be identified blindfolded by its particular odour. On the eastern side of Bat Piss Aven, some 260 m of dry meandering relic PASSAGE climbs up to yet another unexplored crawl. At about halfway between Bat Piss Aven and Big Aven an inconspicuous inlet (ca. 3 l/s in November 1998) marks the mouth of a narrow meandering passage (0.7 by 8 by 160 m) which winds, richly decorated with secondary calcite formations (speleothems), its way to the BLACK AVEN (at the base 8 m by 8 m wide and an estimated 24 m high).

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 24/04/2016

The narrow meander, however, continues for another 130 m and climbs into pure limestone country, leaving the sandstone base below, to a height of some 10 m before entering a WHITE AVEN (7 by 7 by 20? m) marked by soft and brilliant white deposits. At this most northern point of the cave, an unclimbed 5 m waterfall emerges from an unexplored but promising passage (ca. 1 by 5 m). Returning to the Crawly Bit, two inlets from the north (unexplored: 0.5 by 0.4 m and 95 m long up to 2 by 4 m) join while running across the junction and flow into a passage to the south. This was named ALLSUP STREAMWAY (see: Exploration History below) and can be followed for 375 m (ca. 5 by 5 m). It gradually increases in size till a breakdown (Frog Ruckle, the Britisher's Snake Ruckle) with sandstone boulders from the right (west) spills into the passage. This collapse gives access

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 24/04/2016

NOTE 1: Indian plum, Ziziphus mauritiana, also known as Jujube, Chinese Apple, and permseret (Anguilla), is a tropical fruit tree species belonging to the family Rhamnaceae.Z. mauritiana is a spiny, evergreen shrub or small tree up to 15 m high, with trunk 40 cm or more in diameter; spreading crown; stipular spines and many drooping branches. The fruit is of variable shape and size. It can be oval, obovate, oblong or round, and that can be 2.5 cm to 6.25 cm long, depending on the variety. The flesh is white and crisp. When slightly underipe, this fruit is a bit juicy and has a pleasant aroma. The fruit's skin is smooth, glossy, thin but tight.NOTE 2: »… we have such names of places in these hills as Maomluh, the salt stone (the eating of salt off the blade of a sword being one of the Khasi forms of oath) …« (GURDON, P R T 1906: 144). NOTE 3: The base of an active stalagmite collected from "Candle Highway" (near survey station 9/7, about 5.25 m above the streambed) was dated (U/Th disequilibrium method) at it's base to less than 189'000 years Before Present = before 1956 (Breitenbach 2006.09.07 Mss, 2007.03.23 Mss). Another stalagmite collected at eye-height from "Dry Bypass" (near survey station 50/7, about 2 m or 3 m above the streambed) dates to 46ka to circa 27ka BP (Breitenbach, S F M 2008.07.05 personal correspondence). All in all, the »Mawmluh-Stals sind supertoll - ich sehe wirklich geniale Klimaschwankungen zwischen 28.000 und 45000 Jahren vor Heute« (sebastian.breitenbach@erdw.ethz.ch 2008.08.25 personal correspondence). TEWARI, V (2012: 81 abstract only) had learned that »… speleothem deposits from … Mawsmai, Mawmluh and Mustos [Mustoh ?] have been studied.« NOTE 4: The Mawmluh-Cherra Cements Limited was first started in January 1961 and exploits a quarry captive to the cement factory and comprising »of two leases with a proved limestone reserve of 31.55 million tonnes« (LUM MAWSHUN Pvt. Ltd. 2002: 58). ZIMBA, D T (1977 /1991: 14) reports a production of 250 t/d (tons per day), BAZELY, P J (1991) 16'500 tons per year (corresponding to 45 t/d), and BHAKTA (1998: 52) a capacity of 590 t/d. NOTE 5: »De Cherrapunji … plusieurs grottes s'y ouvrent, dont les orifices sont polis comme de marbre. On peut y distinguer deux groupes : l'un près de Mawmluh et l'autre près de Mawsmai« (CHATTERJEE, S P 1936: 36). NOTE 6: Rynsan U Bah (Lookout of the respected Elder Brother), from ka rynsán (Khasi, noun) a raised platform (SINGH, N 1906: 178); a gallery (SINGH, N 1906: 178; SINGH, N 1920: 197; BLAH, E 2007: 113); flooring (BLAH, E 2007: 106); platform (SINGH, N 1920: 383; BLAH, E 2007: 227), balcony (in Latin: podium) + u bah (Khasi, noun, vocative case), the elder brother, a term of respect (SINGH, N 1906: 7). The hill culminates near (±3.2 m) 25°15'22”N: 91°43'10”E (Gebauer, H D 2007.03.09 GPS Garmin 12) at an elevation of 1358 m Survey of India sheet 78-O/11 (edition 1974) 1363 m Gebauer, H D (2007.03.09 GPS Garmin 12) 1361.6 m or »4467« (feet) Survey of India 1938 toposheet 78-O/11 1357.0 m or »4452« (feet) Survey of India 1913 toposheet 78-O/11 and may be found spelled as Rangsanobo Survey of India 1974 toposheet 78-O/11; CHATTERJEE, S P (1936: 36) Rynsan-U-Buh Survey of India 1938 toposheet 78-O/11; LUM MAWSHUN Pvt. Ltd. (2002: 36 Figure 3.1) Rangsanobo Survey of India 1913 toposheet 78-O/11 Ranzanabo Glennie, E A (undated, circa 1948 Mss: Preliminary record …) Ranzanobo LATOUCHE, T H D (1889: 169). NOTE 7: OLDHAM, T indicated the pronunciation "mawmaluh" by introducing not only the spelling versions »Mawm'luh« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984: 9, 28, 40; 1859: 109, 119, 136) and »Maw-m'luh« (OLDHAM, T 1859: 158) but also »Maw'mluh« (OLDHAM, T 1859: 173). NOTE 8: An anonymous tourism officer misleads foreigners with placing »Krem Mawmluh approximately 1/2 [half] a kilometer west of Cherrapunjee« (DIRECTOR OF TOURISM s.a. circa 2006: Khasi Hills -- Land of Abundant Wonders). NOTE 9: Saitsohpen (±4.4 m) 25°16'12.8”N: 91°43'56.2”E (Gebauer H D 2007.03.09 GPS Garmin 12), the "Shillong Sumo stand" at Lower Cherra and about 3 km along the road approximately south of Sohra Pdengshnong, the market place in Sohra (Cherrapunjee) proper. NOTE 10: The bumpy surface of the Cherra Sandstone exposed in the riverbed is the result of hummocky cross-stratification, which indicates an outer to inner shelf deposition in an open marine setting. The hummocks (on average estimated 30 cm high and 80 cm apart from each other) along the bedding plane below the cavernous limestone are seen in stream beds all over the cave wherever the sandstone is exposed. NOTE 11: Actually measured near the main cave entrance (Cement Works stream sink) had been the elevations 1160 m Gebauer H D 1998 unstable 4-channel GPS Garmin 4 1255 m Breitenbach 2006.03.18 uncalibrated digital altimeter 1300 m Breitenbach 2006.03.18 uncalibrated Casio wristwatch altimeter. NOTE 12: polished sides -- Xystus was the Greek architectural term for the covered portico of the gymnasium, in which the exercises took place during the winter or in rainy weather, etc. The term "xystus" derives from the Greek "xustos", meaning "smooth", due to the polished floor of the xystus. "Xystus" was used, by extension, to refer to the whole building containing the gymnasium and portico, as in the xysti of Jerusalem and Elis (en.wikipedia.org accessed 2014.12.10). NOTE 13: »It is fashionable among the Khasis to attribute every landslip and every feature of landscape of a somewhat abnormal character to earthquakes, but I gained a strong impression that the effects produced on the scenery even by the 1897 shock were very small« (PALMER, R W 1924: 151).NOTE 14: Most of Mawmluh Cave consists of solid cave passages in good limestone rock above a massive, through somewhat bumpy but clean-washed sandstone floor. It is difficult to arrive at ascribing »a great deal of loose stuff« to Mawmluh Cave unless one considers exclusively the few hundred metres of downstream section in the lower reaches of the Cement Works sewage. NOTE 15: In November 1992, when R.H. changed from his travelling clothes into his caving suit, he preferred, for the sake of decency, to retreat into a nearby thicket. At about halfway into changing, R.H. was disturbed by a tiger and ran back to the road in spite of being inadequately dressed. A little later, the terrible, light brown coloured beast turned out to be a cow grazing in the thicket. NOTE 16: Allsup's description cane be interpreted as hinting to a landslide event at one of the lateral entrances in the late 1920ies or early 1930ies. NOTE 17: Allsup & friends, equipped with candles and inadequate electric torches of their time, have obviously missed the tributary North-West Inlet (the »Gebauer Strasse« of BROOKS 1993). In March 2006, H.D. Gebauer, carrying only a one Watt LED light only, ran three times past the inlet and found it only by following the waters of the tributary inlet upstream. NOTE 18: LINDBERG, K (1949: 41): Do not lodge in upper Cherrapunjee but at the Traveller's House / Inspection Bungalow in the lower part of the village, which is a good place to visit the caves. The great cavern is about 3 km away and only a few hundred metres from the motorable road. One gets advice to find the way. When entering, one walks in the bed of a creek (waist deep in chilling water at the beginning of February -- and, when I was exiting, with the light gone) if one does not climb to a hole a bit to the right of the sink. Being younger and more agile makes it less difficult to clamber up without the aid of a board pinched and carried from the Inspection Bungalow. The cave is very extensive (it is said to be not explored to the end) and has many ramifications. The abundant water flows always with force, as can be seen at the occasional obstacles barring its way. I‘d like to add, due the experience I have had, that it is not advisable to trust too much into the competence of a guide but to take certain precautions, and, more than that, a good supply of light (I sat lost in the darkness, with the petrol and candles finished, with an ignorant "guide" who had lost his sense of orientation): Put someone up at the cave entrance with clear instructions to act at a convened time … I was able to gain a rich collection of Cyclopids, Isopoda and Decapoda. NOTE 19: Dr. med. Steven A. Craven is sure but wrong when he states that »the cave is 1,357 metres above sea level« (CRAVEN, S A 1969: 18). It is the cave bearing hill (Lum Lawbah / Rangsanabo), which culminates near 1357.0 m asl (4452 feet on Survey of India sheet 78-O/11 edition 1913) or near 1361.6 m asl (4467 feet on Survey of India sheet 78-O/11 edition 1938), but the floor of cave is at the base of the approximately 150 m high hill and thus rather at an elevations around 1200 m asl. NOTE 20: It is difficult to follow Dr. med. CRAVEN, S A (1969: 18) in concluding that »Lindberg (1949)« called the large and wet cave (Krem Mawkhyrdop, Mawmluh) »Mawsmai Cave« when the facts are following: A) LINDBERG, K (1949: 41) mentions no cave name proper, only 1st) »grande caverne« (large cave) or »grotte très étendue« (very extensive cave) »près de Tcherrapoundji« (Cherrapunjee, Sohra) which yielded a rich collection of »Cyclopides, Isopodes and Décapodes« and must be the Mawmluh Cave (Krem Mawkhyrdop, [poh shnong] Mawmluh) 2nd) »formation caverneuse, celle-ci entièrement assechée« (entirely dry cavernous formation), which is obviously Krem Mawsmai. B) MANFREDI, P (1954: 142) contributed the taxonomical description of Assamodesmus lindbergi collected from »grotte Maosmaï (Tcherrapoundji, Assam).« C) LINDBERG, K (1960: 45-46) mentions by name only »Grotte Maosmaï« (Krem –>Mawsmai) yielding »Blatta« (crickets): Diestrammena brevifons frieli Chopard and Isopoda: Setaphora kempi Collinge, Isopoda: Cubaris cavernosus Collinge), while Mawmluh Cave is referred to as »une grotte près de Tcherrapoundji« yielding the cavernicolous Diplopod Assamodesmus lindbergi Manfredi 1954. D) I have not seen LINDBERG, K (1949): Contribution à l'étude des cyclopides (Crustacés copépodes).- Kungl. Fysiografiska Sällskapets i Lund Förhandlingar (Lund), vol. 19, (no. 7): 98-121. NOTE 21: 1934: The »Great cave« (ALLSUP, F W 1934: 64). 1939: The »big cave, (Mawmluh)« (Allsup, F W (1939: 04.17 Mss). 1949: »La grande caverne du Tcherrapoundji« (LINDBERG, K 1949: 41). 1977: »Siju Cave … Syndai Cave … also called Jognindra… The other caves of Meghalaya are Mawjymbuin Cave (Mawsynram), Mawlum Syiem Cave (Mawsmai), Mawkyrdop and Dam Um Cave near Mawmluh, Cherrapunji« (ZIMBA, D T 1977 / 1991: 146). 1991: »The Mawsmai or Mawlum Syiem Cave … Siju Cave … Syndai Cave, also called Jognindra … The other important caves of Meghalaya are Mawkyrdop and Dam Um Cave near Mawmluh, Cherrapunjee« (BAZELY, P J 1991 Land and People: 21). the upper entrance to Mawmluh cave is called Krem Mawkyrdop and the lower one Krem –>Dam Um. NOTE 22: BROOKS, S J (1993) had dubbed Cement Works Sewage the »Feet Up Double Doughnut Passage … as in a passage of such proportions performing such a motorcycle feat would be relatively easy« if only the floor were not humped to a degree rendering such a motorcycle performance impossible. NOTE 23: The Mawmluh Cave »… has a great deal of loose stuff in, whilst the outlet end, got at from the South side of the hill, is positively dangerous with talus and loose stuff. True, we were a bit wary as we had only got out from the inlet end the evening before just a hefty earthquake took place, but the next day, on at last finding the stream exit end, I had a nasty experience as a whole talus slope moved and carried me down some feet, luckily just stopping before I had gone to the edge of a drop of a few feet but quite enough to have buried me had I gone over and talus followed on top of me. It buried my hands and broke my candle; luckily Cooke had a torch, the beam of which could reach me from where he was in a secure place and so I had not to contend with getting matches to restart the crusted candle and so depart from my spread-eagled attitude. We retired after that though leaving passages unexplored. It is not a place to send non-cavers in at all. […] I have been in the inlet end more than once since. The last time, 34 I think it was, there was still no "through-route"; the water, as in 31/32 on our first visit, was just disappearing in debris at the foot of a short drop in the bed into which on our first visit Col. Herbert and I lowered C. R. Cooke on a rope« (ALLSUP, F W 1939.04.17 Mss). NOTE 24: Dog Skull Inlet is still unexplored. Initially only 0.7 m wide and high, it soon turns into a sizeable rift cave passage requiring an 8 m-climb up (Gregory's Climb) without any hand- or foot-holds: Everybody except ruffians and cave vandals is invited to proceed there to earn decorations. NOTE 25: The Big Aven inside the cave lies below –>Lum Lawbah Doline 3 on the surface of the hill. The physical connection seems to be likely. NOTE 26: »Fossil passages« (KHARPRAN DALY 2006) is meant to signify an abandoned, inactive cave segment, left when the water that formed it is diverted elsewhere, continuing cave development and increasing karstic maturity. A fossil cave, however, is an underground cavity that formed when a carbonate succession was undergoing karstification but subsequently was buried and infilled by neptunian deposits: Younger sediment or sedimentary rock that infills pre-existing cavities, such as grikes, dolines or cave passages, in older rocks. The most common form is a fissure fill, known as neptunian dyke. NOTE 27: Director of Tourism (s.a. circa 2006: Khasi Hills – Land of Abundant Wonders) confuses the wild cave of Krem Mawmluh with the illuminated Krem Mawsynram, a show cave managed by the Forest Department. NOTE 28: Dr. Biswas (undated 2007 poster: Kerm Mawmluh) transplanted upon Krem Mawmluh misfitting cuttings, which he had looted without acknowledgement not only from from BROOKS & SMART (1995) but also from BROOKS & BROWN (2007), the September 2004 issue (vol. 62, no. 9) of the National Speleological Society News (Huntsville, Alabama) containing BROOKS (2004b: 267), FOWLER (2004: 254-256, 261-262, 275), WARREN (2004: 249-251, 253), ZAWADA (2004: 244-247). NOTE 29: Dr. Jayant Biswas told me (2007.07.26 personal correspondence) that »the poster … has been hanged [sic!] in convocation presently« where »convocation« is the 2007 NSS convention (National Speleological Society, USA). NOTE 30: A fossil cave is »an underground cavity that formed when a carbonate succession was undergoing karstification but subsequently was buried and infilled by neptunian deposits: Younger sediment or sedimentary rock that infills pre-existing cavities …« (LOWE & WALTHAM 1995: 25). NOTE 31: LINDBERG (1960: 45-46) narrates having collected from what he had called the »Grotte Maosmaï« specimen of the »Blatte aveugle et aptère, montrant ainsi des traits remarquables d'adaptation à la vie caverinicole« (eye-less Blatta well adapted to live in caves). He also points out that the isopod Cubaris cavernosus Collinge 1916 (Oniscidae: Crinocheta: Armadillidae: Cubaris Brandt 1833, Miers 1877) has been reported both from »la Grotte Dobhakol (Siju)« (South Garo Hills district) and from »la Grotte Maosmaï« (Krem Mawsmai). VANDEL, A (1972: 544) assimilates in status of the Philoscia (Crustaceae:I sopoda: Oniscidae: Holoverticata: Crinocheta: Philosciidae: Philoscia Burmesicus Collinge 1914, 1916) collected from an unspecified »grotte de Tcherra Pundji« (i.e. Mawmluh Cave = Krem Mawkhyrdop, Mawmluh village) to those found in the »grotte Maosmaï« (Krem Mawsmai), again near »Tcherra Pundji« (Cherrapunjee, Sohra): »J'avais assimilé la Philoscie de la grotte de Tcherra Pundji à une espèce trouvée dans la grotte Maosmaï, qui s'ouvre également près de Tcherra Pundji. Cette espèce avait été déscrite par Collinge (1914, p. 126), sous le nom de Burmoniscus kempi n. gen., n. sp.« NOTE 32: »The inhabitants flocked round us with fresh Seville oranges« (CRACROFT, W 1831: 173) and we had been told that »The orange trees … ripen in November, and are brought to market in baskets by the Cásia until the end of March, selling usually at the rate of one thousand per rupee« (F. 1829: 253). NOTE 33: YULE, H (1884: 616) mentions no names of his »sinking rivers« but all I known is that the largest stream on the Cherra Plateau disappears into the main entrance to Krem –>Mawmluh, a horizontal, up to 15 wide and 4 m high letterbox entrance, which may be regarded as a »cleft«, whilst another two streams unite before they disappear into the –>Lum Lawbah Sink. and a fourth (third?) stream disappears into –>Lum Lawbah Cave 5. NOTE 34: The stalagmite, which had been collected (2007 March 05) from the "Dry Bypass" (near survey station 50/7, at eye-height, and about 2 m or 3 m above the streambed), was dated (U/Th disequilibrium method) to 46 ka to circa 27 ka BP (Breitenbach, S F M 2008.07.05 Mss). NOTE 35: PIL, Public Interest Litigation. Origin (early 17th century) from "litigat- " (Latin), disputed in a lawsuit, from "litigare" (verb), from "lis, lit-" (noun), lawsuit. NOTE 36: »Myers found a number of columns that appear to have broken off in the magnitude 8.6 earthquake that hit Assam, Tibet in 1950. But he also discovered a number of new stalagmites that had begun growing on the broken bases. When he examined these in detail he found that they had very thick layers and high concentrates of uranium, which made them perfect for analysis. Because of the large amount of water running into the cave, the stalagmite they choose to analyze had grown about 2.5 centimeters in 50 years … As a result, the annual layers averaged about 0.4 millimeters thick -- wide enough for the researchers to get seven to eight samples per layer, which is slightly better than one measurement every two months. … the Mawmluh cave record agrees with the instrumental record for the last 50 years, we hope to use it to investigate relationships between the Indian monsoon and El Niño during prehistoric times such as the Holocene« (VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY 2015.05.22). NOTE 37: »Der Fluß, der hier verschwindet im Berg, war zu einem kleinen Rinnsal geschrumpft. Am Eingang steht ein großer See, der den Normalzugang verhindert. Durch einen Seiteneingang kann man ein paar Meter hochklettern und durch einen gut mannshohen Gang bis zu einem See vordringen. Hier drehte ich wieder um, da ich alleine war« (Lindenmayr, F circa 2015.02.11 s.a. Mss: Meghalaya 2015). NOTE 38: »Mawmluh … Zementwerk. Dieses arbeitet im Moment nicht, da der Betrieb durch den ban des obersten indischen Gerichts wegen der Umweltzerstörung eingestellt ist. Wegen des Betriebsstops ist in den Steinbrüchen nichts los und keiner stört sich daran, dort herumzusuchen. Leider war nirgends eine Höhlenöffnung auszumachen. Die großen, nur von Gras gewachsenen Flächen werden momentan neu bepflanzt mit Bäumen. Überall graben Leute Löcher in die Erdoberfläche, stellen Setzlinge hinein und füllen sie wieder auf. So verdient sich so mancher gerade ein Zubrot. Überraschenderweise gibt es auf der Hochfläche auch kräftige Bäche, die wohl von irgendwoher ihr Wasser beziehen müssen. Ob die aus Höhlen kommen? Da ich alleine unterwegs war, unterließ ich gewagte Unternehmungen in den dichten Busch hinein« (Lindenmayr, F circa 2015.02.11 s.a. Mss: Meghalaya 2015). NOTE 39: »Zum Mawmluh-Höhleneingang. Aber rein wollte ich nicht alleine« (Scherzer, H 2015.04.01 Mss "Tagebuch" Do 22.01.2015).

Documents

Bibliography 24/04/2016

Histoire

EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1830 / 1831: W. Cracroft, Esqu., Dacca [Dakha], and unidentified co-travellers passed the village of »Mamlú« during the cool season (note 32) where they went to the entrance of »a cave in a limestone rock, into which a stream of water continually runs« but could not »… penetrate into the cave, having no means of passing the water … The next day we visited the Musmai cavern, to the extremity of which we penetrated« (CRACROFT, W 1831: 172). 1844: Captain Henry YULE (1844: 616) mentioned four unidentified »sinking rivers« at unspecified locations somewhere in the vicinity of »Cherra« (Sohra). One of them »vanished in a cleft« or -- but this is mere guesswork -- in the slot of the letterbox-shaped insurgence entrance of the Mawmluh Cave (note 33). 1854: OLDHAM, T (1859: 136; 1859 / 1984: 28-29), also referred to as »Oldham (1858)« (CRAVEN, S A 1969: 18) and »Oldham, T. (1858). Memoirs of the Geological Survey of India, 1, 135-138« (CRAVEN, S A 1969: 34), draws the attention of cave collectors to »several large caves« which seemed to have reminded him of xysti as he found the cave passages characterised by »smooth and polished marble-like sides … Of these the most remarkable are those near Mamw'luh, and near Mawsmai at opposite sides of the ridge.« 1931 - 1932, winter: Frederick William ALLSUP (1934), Chief Electrical Inspector & Electrical Advisor to the Government of Assam, accompanied by one Col. Herbert and a certain R. C. Cooke, visited the cave several times and found the resurgence clogged (ROBERTS, E E 1949). 1933.06: ALLSUP, F W (1934: 63-65) »… was in this in June '33, accompanied with my el. Tester who would not come far at all. The small chamber at the right as one enters is easy of access and dry. The left hand passage was blocked with water, unless one was prepared to swim which, with such a companion, I was not prepeared to do as I had no gear with me. Some say, one can go to the end (in dry season) and see daylight. Personally I doubt it.« 1934: ALLSUP, F W (1939) found the resurgence still clogged. 1939.05: Frederick William Allsup finally got through »… for about 200 m, crawled past where we stopped before, into a series of small pool chambers, waded. Stalagmite beach, 1.2 m above floor, showed the normal water level. Slight ascent through constriction, more pools [Goldfish Pond] and then the water entrance, two branches, up into the daylight and heavy jungle. Two pillars of stalactite propping the shelf and curtain deposit« (ROBERTS, E E 1949). 1947.02: Knut Lindberg collected on 1st (CHAPPUIS, P A 1953-1954: 214) or 2nd February (LINDBERG, K 1949a: 45) specimens of Copepoda (Herpaticoidae) from the stream sinking into the cave. 1992.11.02: Simon J. Brooks, Christopher M. Smart, Rob Harper & Helen Harper, chauffeur-driven by »a local taxi driver, by the name of Mr Noro« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 9), »located and made initial exploration into Krem Mawmluh« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 12). 1992.11.03: Simon J. Brooks, Christopher M. Smart, Rob Harper & Helen Harper: »Exploration of Krem Mawmluh was continued finding another entrance. Surveying [sports caver standards], photographing and exploring out revealed yet more passages« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 12) 1992.11.06: Simon J. Brooks, Christopher M. Smart, Rob Harper & Helen Harper »returned to Cherrapunjee and continued exploration of Krem Mawmluh« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 12). 1992.11.07: Simon J. Brooks, Christopher M. Smart, Rob Harper & Helen Harper »continued surveying Krem Mawmluh« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 12) to a degree resulting in about 3.6 km of accumulated survey leg lengths illustrating a nude black plan (BROOKS & SMART 1995 plate opposite page 27) »but several passages had to be left unpushed and unsurveyed« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 12). 1994.02.08: Simon J. Brooks, Jennifer 'Jenni' or 'Jenny' A. Brooks, Brian Johnson and H. D. Gebauer »… made a late afternoon visit to Mawmluh Cave and suceeded in digging through a boulder choke to to reach a further 600 m of passage« (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 20). 1994.02.09: Simon J. Brooks, J. A. Brooks, B. Johnson and H. D. Gebauer »…survey extensions found the previous day and then looked for leads in Gebauer Strasse [North-West Inlet]. It began raining very heavily and cave begins to flood« (BROOKS & SMART 1995): 20.1994.02.10: H. D. Gebauer, showing the walking way through the long wet belly crawl to Simon J. Brooks, J. A. Brooks and B. Johnson, was guided to the »Great Aven« (North-West Aven) to survey it properly. On this occasion, the »Fossil Streamway« (relic inlet) descending into »Bat Piss Aven« (North-West Bat Chamber) was surveyed (260 m) and explored (BROOKS & SMART 1995: 20), leaving the approximate "survey total" (sports caver standards) of about 4500 m (or so) at a vertical range of approximately ±65 m. 1994.10: Mike W. ZAWADA (1994: 313) draws the attention of gentlemen with a taste for long ones to caving excursions to the Indian Union State of Meghalaya, where can see with their own eyes not merely »… numerous well decorated caves, underground rivers, and sumps« but also the »presently longest, Krem Mawmluh [which, at one time] has been surveyed to nearly 2.5 miles.« 1995.11.25: Simon J. Brooks and Antony 'Tony' Boycott »… have quick tourist / bug collecting trip into Krem Mawmluh« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 18). 1998.05.13: Brian D. Kharpran Daly, a.k.a. Meghalaya Adventurers' Association, »… wrote to the state government, with copies marked to Departments of Tourism, Industries, the cement plant MCCL, the State Council of Science, Technology and Environment and the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board regarding the need to preserve Krem Mawmluh. It suggested that limestone quarrying atop the cave system be stopped and limestone be made available from quarries elsewhere« (JOSE 2008.04.28). 1998.11.09 - 11: H. D. Gebauer (book) and Uwe Kalmbach (instruments), assisted by Andrew Andrew "Andy" Peter Tyler (tape), commenced appropriate cave mapping, recording dimensions and endogean topography. As a side effect, the Black and White Avens were discovered. 1998.11.21 - 22: H. D. Gebauer, Brian D. Kharpran Daly and A. P. Tyler, assisted by Jopi Parviainen and Neil Sootinck, mapped 1200 m in Allsup Streamway and vicinity (total: 5010.4 m, ±66.2 m = +26 m / -40.2 m). 1998.11. 29: H. D. Gebauer, B. D. Kharpran Daly and A. P. Tyler harvested another 500 m of cave passages during an afternoon in the Dogskull Stream / Pseudo Sump area, and another 50 m near the Goldfish Pond. This time the resurgence exit (the former "Frog Ruckle") was penetrated (total: 5545.96 m). 1999.03.21: H. D. Gebauer, assisted by Irene Visch, Pierre van Bu, Anke Reuter and Frank Drygala, found the Skyhole (Entrance 9) and a few odds and ends. Accumulated length: 5680.3 m. 2001.03.05 - 06: Harry [Harald] Kirsamer (later Scherzer) and H. D. Gebauer discovered relic series in the Candle Highway vicinity and mapped 827.6 m (total: 6507.9 m). 2001.03.17: H. D. Gebauer, B. D. Kharpran Daly, Gregory D. Diengdoh & Noel Tariang mapped 309.96 m (total: 6817.85 m). 2001.03.18: H. D. Gebauer, B. D. Kharpran Daly, G. D. Diengdoh & N. Tariang mapped 263.07 m (total: 7080.92 m).2001.12.21: H. D. Gebauer and Lindsay B. Diengdoh mapped 104.3 m in the far North-East (total: 7185.2 m). 2002.03.01: H. D. Gebauer and Michael Laumanns surveyed, tied in Entrance 5, and mapped (total: 7194.00 m). 2003.12: Ashish Sinha and Kevin G. Cannariato (Department of Earth Sciences, California State University) collected a stalagmite from the "Stal Porch" (near station 118/2) about a metre above the streambed. 2006.03.18: Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam) and H. D. Gebauer collected a stalagmite (later U/Th-dated to less than 189,000 years, Breitenbach 2006.09.07 personal correspondence) from "Candle Highway" (near Station 9/7, about 5.25 m above the streambed and two crickets in "North-East" Inlet (station 7/12) and recorded the entrance elevations 1255 m asl (uncalibrated digital altimeter) and 1290 m asl (uncalibrated Casio wristwatch altimeter). 2007.03.05: Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach, Norbert Marwan and H. D. Gebauer entered the cave to install a temperature logger, measured temperatures, relative humidity and currents in the air and collected two stalagmites: One from near survey station 50/7 in "Dry Bypass" (note 34) and another stalagmite from high up in "Wanderweg" (German), Hiking Trail. They faintly heard two detonations inside the cave and a third while changing clothes outside. 2008.04.28: Brian D. Kharpran Daly, General Secretary of the Meghalaya Adventurers' Association, arranged for a newspaper report in The Telegraph (Calcutta) which points out that »India’s seventh longest cave in Cherrapunjee, Krem Mawmluh, has started caving in. … The cave-in has been caused by "blasting” for limestone by a state-owned cement plant. The association said a section of the main trunk passage of the cave collapsed a few days ago and almost choked the passage to the rest of the cave. If the government does not initiate any action, the association will send a letter to their lawyer in Delhi so that the issue of damage to the cave be formed part of a PIL [note 35] to be taken up by the Supreme Court shortly, Kharpran said« (JOSE, E M 2008.04.28). 2013: As matters »environmental damage occuring [sic! occurring] due to the cement industry … Another example is Krem Mawkhyrdop / Mawmluh Cave, near Cherrapunji, which is directly affected by a cement factory. Some of its tunnels [sic! cave passages] have been blasted open already« (ARBENZ, T 2012: 19). 2014 (or so): Sebastian F. M. Breitenbach (then at Cambridge) had guided Christopher G. Myers (then a graduate student) and Jessica Oster (then assistent professor of earth and environmental sciences at Vanderbilt University) into parts of the Mawmluh Cave »to see if it contained enough broken speleothems so they could use them to date major prehistoric earthquakes in the area [note 36]«2015.01. Franz Lindenmayr (note 37) controlled the visibility of the main cave entrance (insurgence) in the open air and instantly surmised that the sinking "river" (sic!) was reduced to a runnel and also purported that nothing less than "a large lake" (sic! in places almost waste deep pool of water) prevented access complying with established norms or standards (Lindenmayr, F circa 2015.02.11 s.a. Mss: Meghalaya 2015). At that time, nobody worked the limestone quarry bebause the Mawmluh cement works had been closed down due to a "ban" by the Delhi high court (note 38). 2015.01.22: Harald Scherzer (neé Kirsamer) controlled the visibility of the main cave entrance, saw that it is obvious in broad daylight, and turned back (note 39). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 24/04/2016

Cavités proche

Distance (km)NomLongueur (m)Profondeur (m)
0.1MAWMLUH CAVE 2 (Lindenmayr 2015)
0.1MAWMLUH CAVE 2 (Brooks & Smart 1992)
0.1MAWMLUH CAVE 3
0.4AA CAVE, Sohra (Chapman 2000)
0.5LUM LAWBAH: Doline 4 (aa -)
0.6LUMSHLAN (Krem)
0.6LUMSHLAN 2 (Krem)
0.7LUM LAWBAH: Doline 3 (aa -)
0.7RONG UMSOH - SOH PANG BNIAT (Krem)