KOTSATI (Krem)

(Khliehriat - IN)
25.179400,92.374700
Grottocenter / carte

Description

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 02/04/2016

A subsidence doline, apparently resulting from collapse, forms a funnel-shaped cave entrance and give access to a perennial stream cave with several cave entrances, which are collectively called Krem Kotsati. South of Lumshnong proper (±250 m 25°10'45”N: 92°22'25”E), the Gauhati - Agartala road (National Highway NH44) runs more or less straight to south-east for more than a kilometre on a quite level stretch to the southernmost outskirts of Lumshnong village. A few karst pinnacles in the areas were seen (November 1995) rising from of a jungle-clad cryptokarst buried in red soil mostly above and on the south-west side of the road. Below and on the north-east side of the road, a one metre thick sandstone band is exposed along a NW-SE running cliff following a thrust with a vertical dislocation of 2 m to 8 m. Here, at the base of the cliff, is a series of cave entrances which give access to Krem Umlawan in the lower reaches of the Kotsati cave system. The subterranean water course and the associated relic cave passages, which are abandoned by flowing water, connect a series of distinct cave passages to several cave entrances which are collectively called Krem Kotsati (note 1): 1. Krem Kotsati, entrance "Village Well" near (±34 m) 25°10'46”N: 92°22'29”E (Gebauer H D 1995.11.30, unstable 4-channel GPS Garmin 4): circa (±100 m) 650 m asl (Gebauer H D, barometric, Thommen 6000) 2. Krem Umtyongai, dubbed "Spindro's Backyard Entrance" 3. Krem Umsynrang Liehwait (lieh = white, wait = heavy large bladed knife) or Krem Wah Labit. 4. Krem Wahjajew 5. Krem Lalit 6. Synrang Thloo 7. Washing Place Inlet 8. Krem Umshor 9. Krem Put Lyer 10. Krem Umlawan 2, Entrance a 11. Krem Umlawan 2, Entrance b 12. Krem Umlawan 2, Entrance c 13. Krem Umlawan 2, Entrance d 14. Krem Umlawan 2, Entrance e 15. Krem Umlawan 2, Entrance f 16. Krem Umlawan 2, Entrance g 17. Krem Umlawan 2, Entrance h = Sevenway Hall 18. Petrol Station Cave 19. Krem Umlawan: Surprise Exit 20. Krem Umlawan: Y-Pot 21. Krem Umlawan: Chimney Exit 22. Krem Umlawan: Cinema Entrance (±100 m) 25°10'03”N: 92°22'45”E: circa (±30 m) 577 m asl (WGS84) 23. Krem Umlawan: Lake Inlet 24. Krem Umlawan: Rift Pot ETYMOLOGY: Till today, the meaning and origin of the cave name [Krem] "Kotsati" remains fully in the dark (note 2). Putting the cart before the horse, however, gains "(sati-) yngkhúid" (note 3), the »magic ring« (SINGH, N 1906: 247) or "ka sati ynkúid" (note 4) of RAFY (1920: 61), which is »a magic ring in Khasi folklore, supposed to have the same virtue as the "Wonderful Lamp" of the Arabian Nights« (SINGH, N 1906: 184). The sound of the expression "kot sati" is reminiscent of the standard Khasi adjectives "ba khuid" and "ba sotti" which both are translated as »chaste« (SINGH, N 1920:67). So far, I saw the name of this cave and cave system spelled, edited or printed as cave of Eocene Age Um-Lawan Internet weshites (note 5) Katsati Cave Directorate of Tourism (1993 Enigmatic Caves: August) Krem Kot Sati BROOKS, S J (1998b) Massif of Kot-Sati-Um Lawan ARBENZ, T (2006b: 4) Krem Kotsali BORA, Angshuman (2001: 22) Kotsani Cave BHATACHARYYA, M (2005.02.14) Kotsani Network BHATACHARYYA, M (2005.02.14) Kotsati - Unkawab cave system nenanews.com (note 6) Kotsati - Umlawan cave system Cement plants ruining caves … (2012.07.31) Krem Kotsati - Umlawan cave system KHARPRAN DALY, B D (2012.01.16) Krem Kotsati - Umlawan KHARPRAN DALY, B D (2012.01.16) Kotsati - Umlawan System KHARPRAN DALY, B D (2006: 38-41, 75) Krem Kotsati - Umlawan System KHARPRAN DALY, B D (2012.01.16); KHARPRAN DALY, B D (2014; 175) Krem Kotsati / Um Lawan Brooks, Simon J (undated 2008 Longest Table 2008.doc) Kutsati Cave Directorate of Tourism (1993 Enigmatic Caves) Lumshnong System Jarratt, 'Tony' [Anthony R] (1997.02.26 in: 1997 Mss 26/2/97). GEOLOGICAL SITUATION: The interstratal cave has formed in Lakadong Limestone (Lower Sylhet Stage) below a caprock of Lakadong Sandstone (Middle Sylhet Stage). The sandstone is more resistant against weathering than the underlying limestone, functions as a caprock and probably contributes to the relative flatness of the vicinity's surface. In the east, both the caprock and the underlying cave are limited by tectonical fault which also forms the border of the upper part of the valley running parallel to the cave at a much lower level. Isolated and residual occurrences of Umlatdoh Limestone (Middle Sylhet), which rest on the sandstone, show marked karst features (e.g. pinnacles) and minor caves (e.g. Krem –>Umkseh) which are not connected to the main cave.PALAEOKARST: The overlying sandstone (caprock), occasionally with coal at the base, occurs as infillings in the underlying and cave-bearing limestone. At places, circular beams of sandstone emerge from one cave wall, span the passage and disappear in the opposite wall (former conduits). Sometimes the course of the cave passages is limited by lateral sandstone walls (former rifts, grykes, etc.). "Pendants" on the ceiling and sub-cylindrical plugs have preserved and give witness of Eocene karstification to a depth of up to 20 m.CAVE CHARACTERISTICS: Most of the cave system's entrances are found along the local thrust which has caused two types of entrances: Vertical shaft entrances have developed where the caprock still occurs on both sides of the thrust, while at other places, where the caprock on one side of the thrust is missing, abandoned tributary passages have been amputated and left boulder clogged horizontal entrances behind. Krem Kotsati - Umlawan is a river cave of asymmetric dendritic pattern. Its main feature is the Um 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River), which runs all along the cave's western limit from the far north-western corner to the most south-eastern point and takes both relic and active tributaries from the NE. Um 'Thei Sotti is characterised by a long series of beautiful rimstone pools in cleft bound passages of up to 25 m width and 30 m height which generally flow NW-SE. Whenever the waters are forced to turn for a longer distance to the NE, the water gains swimming depth and oxbows occur. The known course of Um 'Thei Sotti is more than 5000 m long and negotiates 170 m in elevation with an overall dip of 4% or 2.3°. During the dry season, Um 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River) carries about 30 ltr/sec of water of 17°C temperature. The major tributary to Um 'Thei Sotti is the 600 m long Umlawan Stream with estimated 5 ltr/sec. With abandoned (relic) passages in the NE, active streamways in the SW and a drainage to the SE the direction of cave development trends to the SSW. The topographical situation of the cave system along the rim of a spur perched above a parallel valley below remains obscure. CAVE DESCRIPTION: Kotsati - Umlawan is an active stream cave with numerous insurgence entrances which drain to a not yet discovered resurgence. The Synrang Thloo to Lake Entrance traverse offers one of the finest trips to be had in Meghalaya or, for that matter, anywhere else in the world. The cave is described in two sections. Initially (1) from Synrang Thloo through to Krem Umshor and into the upper reaches of Umlawan near to Put Lyer, and (2) from the southern Umlawan entrances north to Put Lyer. CAVE DESCRIPTION - part 1: Synrang Thloo through to Krem Umshor: From the 7 m wide and 4 m high entrance to Synrang THLOO a slightly inclined major passage with boulder strewn floor runs straight south. A few enlarged clefts (NW-SE) function as tributaries and soon become impenetrable. Knee deep water is met at 90 m from Synrang Thloo entrance and a road junction is reached. To the left (east) a 3 m high slope to the top of a sandy terrace gives access to a joint controlled and zig-zagging tributary passage which becomes successively smaller in size. To the right (west) of the road junction a major inlet, which well may be the main one during the rains, leads after 80 m to the unnamed entrance called "Washing Place Inlet." From this area low outlets to the south connect to the WESTERN BYPASS and subsequently the lower section of the Kotsati streamway. Proceeding south from the road junction, boulder strewn terminal sandbanks at the upper end of the CANAL are reached and inflatables become useful. The passage becomes a 250 m long lake which runs against the dip of the strata and finally meets the upper reaches of Krem Kotsati below the Krem LALIT entrance. Several high level leads at about 4 m above the water level yielded only dry oxbows.The main cave continues south, through the impressive OBELISK CHAMBER with its peculiar rock spike at its centre, from which the chamber takes its name. Past the small Krem WAHJAJEW entrance and through a series of halls and sizeable stream passage with the extensive lateral LIEHWAIT MAZE above it's banks to a chamber lit from the Synrang LIEHWAIT entrance which lies up a steep slope of boulders to the left. Beyond this point the cave continues south in an impressive stream passage up to 10 m high by 5 m wide. The WESTERN INLET SERIES enters from the right (west) and some 70 m beyond this deep canals are met that require swimming in order to reach the most prominent entrance of the cave system, the Village Well of Lumshnong. It is possible to avoid a few short bits of swimming by following some awkward and small oxbows. Downstream of the Village Well entrance a swim under a low arch reaches Krem UMTYONGAI (or: Spindro's Back Yard entrance) and a gradually lowering and more aquatic downstream section which runs with several leads into a breakdown belt which coincides, on the surface above the cave, with the steep sided margin of the Lumshnong playing field. Dry side rifts to the right (west) of Krem Umtyongai give access to a complicated area of low passages, avens, etc. which eventually lead into big stream passage which runs into a dodgy looking choke completely blocking the way but with a good draught. Among the various tried ways on the best is a small scalloped tube running parallel, then back into, the choke from where a squeeze gives access to the northern part of Krem UMSHOR. This choke may be blocked by flood water rearranging the boulders. From here the passage continues south for 200 m as just about walking size inlet passage to reach the 10 m wide and 3 m high opening of Krem UMSHOR entrance. South of the entrance a swim of approximately 100 m followed by a very unpleasant duck leads to walking size passage that after 400 m reaches the head of the 11 m deep waterfall pitch into the upper Virgin River streamway Krem UMLAWAN near to the PUT LYER entrance. CAVE DESCRIPTION - part 2: Umlawan to Put Lyer: At first glance CINEMA ENTRANCE is not inviting. It appears to be a funnel shaped but boulder blocked collapse doline, some 20 m in diameter and cut in half by a limestone wall towering at the back. During the warm hours of the day however, the lower part of this amphitheatre is air-conditioned by cool air encouragingly rising from the cave beyond. A short squeeze over an inconvenient boulder at the entrance enters a major cave. The passage behind Cinema Entrance is characterised by a ceiling that is perfectly flat spanned as far as the eye can see and structured only by a decent series of miniature stalactites which trace the cleavage pattern of the rock. The floor consists of limestone boulders embedded in sand, and the 15 m wide and 5 m high passage increases to 30 by 8 m when it passes a collapse from the right and descends into a 100 m long south-east running 2 by 10 m rift passage. A short distance down Cross Road is reached. The left hand side (north-east) branch off CROSS ROAD climbs slightly and decreases in size from 4 x 10 m to 1 x 1 m and runs after 100 m into minor, mostly blocked passages. The right hand (south-west) branch off Cross Road climbs 6 m to a abandoned streamcave level called SHOULDER DISLOCATOR MAZE where more than 200 m of, for the greater part, sizeable galleries (on average 2 m wide and 4 m high) on kind of a stalactite forested plateau (speleothems) reach sudden drops to the UMLAWAN STREAM (abbreviated: ULS) which flows NW-SE. Continuing 90 m SE from Cross Road, the 850 m long Umlawan Stream is reached more comfortably at stream level. The upstream 600 m of active streamway, decreasing in size towards it's upper reaches, generally less wet than ULS downstream. Three minor tributary streamways enter from NE (180 m, 150 m, 60 m long) and from below a pair of neighbouring rift pots (Y-Pot). Upstream ULS is overlain by 400 surveyed metres of abandoned level with numerous connections to ULS and SURPRISE EXIT. Downstream UMLAWAN STREAM passage is generally 3 m to 4 m wide, 8 m to 10 m high, contains few but fordable pools, and is as good as free of collapse. Several high level leads about 6 m above the water level lead to dry, relic cave passages. At 300 m downstream ULS enters VIRGIN RIVER passage. The explored part of downstream Virgin River is more than 500 m long. About 60 m from ULS entry, a 2.5 m waterfall is free climbable and after 30 m further on becomes wider and lower (12 m wide, 3 m high) and runs into DROWNED TABLE LAKE. Between the 2.5 m-waterfall and the shores of DTL are numerous small choked passages. Two major tributaries from the north join after a few metres to form LAKE INLET (300 m long, average: 4 x 8 m) which enters from Lake Inlet Entrance. On the far shore and around the NE to SE bend of the 50 m long Drowned Table Lake, a collapse chamber (10 m wide, 12 m high, 30 m long) is lit by daylight entering from RIFT POT (Thloo / Thloolong / Thlu Kharasniang) -- since 1999 used to dump quarry spoil. At the mouth of Rift Pot, about 12 m to 15 m above the ground, the sandstone caprock is exposed and shows a thrust of 2 m or 3 vertical metres. At the far end of Rift Pot Chamber, having passed an impressive flowstone wall with the complex ANGLO-SIKH-SERIES above, the water runs into a very straight 50 m long passage (3 m wide, 6 m high) and Virgin River descends a series of CATARACTS to a 5 m waterfall. Some 20 m before reaching 5 m waterfall, pouring calcite masses (flowstone) ease a climb up NE to a dry rift passage which eventually drops and turns back to reenter at the base of the 5 m waterfall. Downstream of the 5 m Waterfall lies OLD MEN'S POT and the deepest part of the cave. It is reported to lead to a more or less NW-SE running fault terminated by sumps. This part of the cave was "surveyed" by British cavers and Anthony "Tony" R Jarratt once had believed that Brian Johnson probably holds the survey notes which nobody has seens so far. This part of the cave was visited but deserves an adequate exploration beyond the skills of maximally quick and easy expedition cavers. Of the known 2.47 km of upstream UM 'THEI SOTTI (Virgin River), less than 100 m of passage lack rimstone pools. In contrast to the downstream section, access to an overlying relic (abandoned) level is less frequent. Oxbows, mostly located at major bends, are more frequent. Just 50 m upstream of the confluence of Um 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River) and Umlawan, a low passage off to the west functions as an overspill and takes almost half of the water by a shortcut to Umlawan Stream. Some 250 m upstream of the confluence, two major oxbows offer choices of route. At 550 m, at the 30 m long T-JUNCTION LAKE ('lake' indicates swimming section), the Um 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River) enters from the left (south-west) and straight ahead a miniature beach is found at the beginning of the RELIC RIFT MAZE (RRM). It starts as a crawling sized passage and leads after 100 m to dusty and soothingly silent walking passage (3 x 2 m) with dead formations and joins after 120 m the upstream of Umlawan Stream, thus providing a shortcut which saves almost 2 km of gour pool stumbling. Following the largest passage in RRM for 200 m to NW, it turns left (south-east) and rejoins after 100 m Um 'Thei Sotti at ceiling level. The 5m-drop requires technical aids. PALAEOKARST is found when following Um 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River) upstream of T-Junction Lake. The ceiling and sections of the walls are, in places, built up of sandstone masses and at one point the bulging sandstone masses have filled a heavily corroded cleft, rather a gryke, of V-shaped cross-section as it is commonly found on the surface of karst landscapes. Upstream of the palaeo-karst infilling, several BYPASSES follow each other in short succession within 200 m of passage. About 800 m from T-Junction a short abandoned bypass is passed, somewhat secreted away above the NE bank, and the floor of the passage suddenly lacks rimstone pools for a distance of almost 50 m. Hidden behind loose rocks at the foot of the north-western wall, the waters of Um 'Thei Sotti take a lateral route, where an OIL DRUM (actually one of the steel drums used in India by the Roads & Building Department to store asphalt) is wedged into a corner while the main passage gains a few metres in height to drop into a 3 m deep INCONVENIENT HOLE IN THE FLOOR where the waters of Um 'Thei Sotti are again met with. Across Inconvenient Hole in the Floor, an exceptionally beautiful rimstone dam of 3 m height indicates the end of the rimstone-pool-lacking section of Um 'Thei Sotti and it takes about a kilometre of numerous beautiful rimstone pools following numerous beautiful rimstone pools to come across the next prominent feature. By and by the passage decreases in size (initially 5 m to 10 m in width and 3 m to 5 m in height), gains higher elevations and transgresses from a light coloured limestone into a darker one, separated from the lower one by a millimetre-thin, somewhat oily and shaly, possibly carbonaceous layer, which, considering the amount of calcite deposits originating from it, must effectively hinder percolation, though cave passages are obviously not controlled by / aligned with it. Almost 1.7 km upstream Um 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River), the collapse chamber DALMOT DOME (7 m to 10 m wide, 12 m high) offers for a change a short walk across fallen boulders. A lead to the NE and 8 m above the floor remains unreached. Beyond Dalmot Dome, 75 m on an overall bearing of 315 degrees are followed by more than 100 m of rimstone pools before the 11th oxbow is reached, which looks at first glance like a bifurcation but actually is just a bedrock pillar. Here the average ceiling height of Um 'Thei Sotti rises abruptly from 6 m to more than 12 m and a sizeable (4 m wide, 8 m high) overlying relic (abandoned) gallery GEORGE'S DREAM SERIES is undercut. GDS is gained by a slimy 6 m climb to, briefly described, over 1.5 km of dry, abandoned cave passage, a connection back to the Virgin River near to the Oil Drum Bypass, and a pothole entrance situated behind the petrol station / garage in Lumshnong and the CRYSTAL MAZE, which was described as »another 250 m or so of smallish, intricate labyrinthine passage was surveyed through tubes, oxbows, etc., all fantastically decorated with layers of gypsum crystals, stalactites and stalagmites. Bunches of black gypsum crystals of world class importance were complemented by orange stal and grey limestone walls. Patches of red sandstone ceiling added to the multi-coloured effect. Superb anthodites [note 7] and active stal formations in places. A very fragile and unique area of the system A fascinating place with potential for much more length if all the ways on were to be surveyed …« (Jarratt, Anthony 'Tony' R 1997.03.01 Mss Cave Log). The joint guided Palaeo-Virgin River in the north-west is accompanied at a lower level by the meandering Um 'Thei Sotti, from which it is either laterally displaced or completely separated. About 350 m after Palaeo-Virgin River is first met with, a 30 m long mass of flowstone enters from a ledge 5 m to 8 m above the floor on the west (orographically right) wall, and 30 m further upstream daylight enters from the 23 m deep pothole.

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 02/04/2016

PUT LYER (Khasi for "wind blowing hole"). Some 20 m past Put Lyer is the 11 m high waterfall where the water from Kotsati enters the system after traversing the Umshor connection. The main passage runs 40 m ahead into impenetrable, solid breakdown close to a collapse doline on the surface.PROSPECTS: The known unexplored and unmapped leads include the following points: 1. Crystal Maze has »potential for much more length if all the ways on were to be surveyed« (Jarratt 1997.03.01). 2. an "inaccessible" cave passage high up in the Dalmot Dome (Um 'Thei Sotti a.k.a. Virgin River, Umlawan) needs bolting up (HDG 1996).3. »Many grotty inlets left unsurveyed« (Jarratt, Anthony 'Tony' R 1997.02.16) are on the route from Krem –>Umshor to Put –>Lyer. 4. The sump lures at the deepest point of the known cave which needs more diving equipment than goggles (Brian Johnson can tell a story). 5. »The resurgence, and presumably associated cave system, has yet to be located« (Anthony 'Tony' R Jarratt, personal correspondence 05.02.2002). Judging from the geological situation of the area, HDG proposed to search the elusive resurgence in the area between 25"09'10”N: 92°23'10”E and 25°09'30”N: 92°24'10”E. A first attempt did not materialize (note 8). 6. Surveying some or simply all of the mis-judged »bits of cave not worth surveying« (Jarratt, A R 1999.02.11 Mss "Cave Log" 8: 68) in Krem –>Labit (Lumshnong) is likely to result (perhaps after digging sand) in connecting the surveyed 505 m of Krem –>Labit (Lumshnong) to the Liehwait Maze in Krem Kotsati. CAVE SURVEY: Due to the efforts of expedition cavers, who had immigrated from inhabited islands off west from continental Europe and were involved in the "survey" of Krem Kotsati, a great deal of the cave survey (cave plan) of Krem Kotsati is represented by what is known among the resident Khasi speaking population as »kot sada« (blank paper). CULTURAL HISTORY -- human use: The natural step-well at Lumshnong village provides comfortable access to water all year round. It appears to be reasonable to settle at this convenient site, and the source of water is still valued: In autumn 1999 a »superb flight of concrete steps« was installed, with steel handrails from the surface to the water level (Anthony 'Tony' R Jarratt 18.07.2001 personal correspondence). Additionally, a large part of the site is protected by a natural bridge spanning a spacious area which offers shelter against excessive sun and rain. The sediments are suspected to preserve traces of early man. In February 2001, a signboard advertising »Kotsati Show Cave« pointed to a flight of concrete steps -- lined with a steel railing painted blue -- which descend to the daylight-lit water of the village well: »This must be one of the shortest visitors tours of the world« (Anthony 'Tony' R Jarratt 18.07.2001 personal correspondence). CAVE CONSERVATION: »Lumshnong … is known the world over for having India's longest cave system Krem Kotsati - Umlawan Cave system with a surveyed length of 21.6 kms, is a breathtaking cave that has everything to offer an adventurous tourist, from big walking passages to bellyy crawls, to climbs, to swimming sections, a bit of underwater dive, to an 11 m high waterfall and to a beautiful section of rimstone pools. Being the subcontinent's longest cave system, this cave warrants protection and conservation for our future generations. Yet because the village of Lumshnong is not deriving any financial benefit from the existence of the cave, they readily gave assent to setting up a cement plant within the precincts of the village area without realizing the importance and significance of their having a great treasure which could also prove to be a great scientific source of immense value. It would be a tragedy if this cave system, which is a heritage asset, , and a part of their culture, would be lost forever for the sake of immediate gains« (KHARPRAN DALY, B D 2005: 171-172). CAVE LEGEND 1995: Local informants were reluctant to provide a translation of the cave name "Kotsati". Only after having spent several days in the area, a legend was recalled according to which a mother by name of Kot came to her death when running away from a "tiger" and falling with her suckling into the pothole [Keyword: Exitcave]. CAVE LEGEND 1997: A rumour was purported according to which »in the Jaintia Hills, near Jowai, is Krem Umlawan, which at 6.5 km is India's longest cave« (LONELY PLANET, India 1997: 588). CAVE LIFE: Bats (Chiroptera), frogs (Anura spp.), spiders (conf. Heteropoda), millipedes (Myriapoda, Diplopoda, Trachyjulidae, conf. Trachyiulus mimus Silvestri 1924), tiny moths (conf. Tineida), and "snot gobblers" (larval stage of fungus gnats, Diptera: Mycetophilidae). One snake with diamond shaped head, Adora Thabah determined on the spot as a Bamboo Pit Viper, was collected on 17 February 1999 inside the Synrang Thloo entrance on a rock just before the canal.

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 02/04/2016

NOTE 1: »21.56 km-long Kotsani [sic!] cave, that combines smaller caves to form a 35 km-long network« (BHATACHARYYA, M 2005.02.14 Tribune of India , New Delhi). »Belum caves in Andhra Pradesh, India’s second longest underground cave system after the 21.5 km long Krem Um Lawan cave in Meghalaya« (RAGHAVENDRA, S 2008.02.01 Deccan Herald, Bangalore). NOTE 2: ka kot (Khasi; noun) paper (SINGH, N 1920: 362; OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984 appendix C: lxvii), a book (SINGH, N 1906: 45). ka kotbah (Khasi; noun) the bible (SINGH, N 1906: 45), literally: the big book ka kot sada (Khasi; noun) blank paper (SINGH, N 1906: 45) from "ba sada" (Khasi / Bengali, Hindi etc. loan word; adjective) blank, plain (SINGH, N 1906: 180); blameless, blank, colourless (SINGH, N 1920: 47, 78). ka sati (Khasi; noun), also: ka sah'ti, u sah'ti (SINGH, N 1906: 181), a ring (SINGH, N 1906: 184; SINGH, N 1920: 443; BLAH, E 2007: 256), from: ka ksah, a ring (SINGH, N 1906: 49) + ka kti, a hand, a finger« (SINGH, N 1906: 50, 231). Since Mizo speaking people do live in this karst area and the water hole of Kotsati may have been the focus of a market site, another option would be to derive "kot" from the Mizo word "kut" for »festival«. NOTE 3: ba khûid (adjective, Khasi), clean, holy (SINGH, N 1906: 184) + ka sati (noun, Khasi) a ring (SINGH, N 1906: 184) where ka 'ti is an abbreviation of ka kti, a hand, a finger (SINGH, N 1906: 50, 231). NOTE 4: According to one legend, Ka Kma Kharai (compare: Krem –>Kma Kharai, Krem –>Khmat Kharai), whose name »signifies one that roams about in trenches or hidden rocks« (RAFY, K U 1920: 59), lured unfortunates to their doom by approaching them »in the form of a woman merchant, and dazzled them with the brilliancy of the jewelry she offered for sale. She refrained from killing her captives on occasions, but induced them by promises of riches and immunity to pledge themselves to the services of U Thlen, her son. To such as these she gave a magic ring, known in ancient lore as the Yngkuid Ring (Sati Yngkuid) which was believed to possess magic that enabled the owners of the ring to obtain all the desires of their hearts, but this magic was dormant until the owners fulfilled their obligations to U Thlen and brought him human victims to feed upon« (RAFY, K U 1920: 61). NOTE 5: indolink.com/DiscoverIndia/Meghalaya/caves.html (accessed 2002.05.02); meghalaya.nic.in/tourism/caves.htm (accessed 2002.05.02); stayfinder.com/travelguide/india/destinations/east… (accessed 2002.05.02); travelmasti.com/domestic/meghalaya/caves.htm (accessed 2002.05.02). NOTE 6: nenanews.com/OT%20Mar%2022-%20Apr%206,99/oh16.htm (accessed 2002.04.30) forwarded by Thilo Müller (2002.04.30 personal correspondence). NOTE 7: Anthodites, the commonest form of aragonite seen in caves, consists of small radiating crystals of aragonite, which develop in humid caves when rock surfaces are covered by a moisture film but not by flowing water (speleogenesis.info/glossary).NOTE 8: No gaping resurgence cave entrance was seen when walking from a GPS position near (ignored precision error presumably ±0 m) 25°09'34.3”N: 92°23'15”E: 271 m without orientation downhill along the naturally walled-in corridor of what had been in January 2015 a dry streambed up to a point at an elevation of 137 m (GPS Garmin Etrex) where no more water-worn limestone rocks occurred: »Suche nach der postulierten Kotsati- Quelle. Die entscheidende Frage ist, ob der Kotsati- Fluss nördlich der Brishyrnot-Straße einmündet und nördlich des Lum Laioh-Gipfels [±250 m 25°09'30”N: 92°24'25”E: 562 m] nach Osten fließt oder südlich der Straße nach West fließt um dann nach Süden abzubiegen. Von der Brishyrnot- Straße nach SW einem Waldweg folgend abwärts. Bei 25°09'34.3”N: 92°23'15”E: 271 m auf ein trockenes Flusstal gestoßen. Dem Fluss gefolgt bis 137 müNN als keine Kalke mehr im Geröll. Hier ist die Quelle nicht, denn das Format ist von der Schwinde her bekannt und somit unübersehbar« (Scherzer, H 2015.04.01 Mss "Tagebuch" So. 11.01.2015). »Die Kotsati-Quelle ist immer noch nicht gefunden!« (Scherzer, H 2015.04.01 Mss "Tagebuch" appendix: Nach der Expedition ist vor der Expedition). NOTE 9: An expedition caver achieved to compose all on his own a personal calculation which bettered the partly "surveyed" 1.8 km of cave passages into »1995 results including the spectacular 2.6 km long river cave of Krem Kot Sati where a 6 m wide, 4 m high canal passage was left unpushed after [an estimated] 200 m of swimming« (BROOKS, S J 2000: 1). NOTE 10: AAB = Andre Abele, ATB = Boycott, Antony 'Tony', ATJ = Anthony 'Tony' R Jarratt, APT = Andrew "Andy" Peter Tyler, AVA = Alfred Vanchhawng, BJO = Brian Johnson, BKD = Brian Dermot Kharpran Daly, CJA = Christine Jantschke, CMS = Christopher 'Blitz' M. Smart, CWF = Christian Wilhelm Fischer, DBH = Daniel B. Harries, ELB = Eleazar Leo Blah, ESA = Estelle Sandford, FBA = Franz Baumgartner, FWA = Fiona Ware, FWM = Fairweather W. Mylliemngap, GDI = Gregory D. Diengdoh, GJL = George 'Whisky Jo' Lyngdoh, GSB = Georg Bäumler, GSI = Gurjinder Singh, HDG = Herbert Daniel Gebauer, HJA = Herbert Jantschke, ICH = Ian E. Chandler, JAB = Jennifer 'Jenni' A. Brooks, KHP = Kyrmen 'Hope' C Hiwot Passah, KMI = Kyrshan Myrthong, NSO = Neil Sootinck, PAE = Paul Arthur Edmunds, RRF = Richard 'Ritschi' Frank, RSA = Roiy Sayag, RWA = Raphael Warjri, SAM = S. Annette Becher, SJB = Simon J. Brooks, THM = Thilo Müller, UKR = Uwe Krüger, USS = Uwe ‘Sämm' Scherzer, WBU = Werner 'Baje' Busch, WMZ = Wojciech Michal 'Mike' Zawada, YWE = Yvo Weidmann, ZRA = Zuala Ralsun.

Documents

Bibliography 02/04/2016

Histoire

EXPLORATION HISTORY: In many parts of the world a few pivotal speleological sites stand as reference points in our understanding of karst and caves. For the karst and caves of Meghalaya, Krem Kotsati is one such locality. Needless to say that the cave entrances giving access to this cave system has been known to people familiar with the area since time immemorial. 1992: Brian D. Kharpran Daly, Donbokwell Syiemlieh and other members of the Meghalaya Adventurers' Association visit the "Village Well Entrance" of Krem Kotsati and recognise the promising potential of this cave.1993: Brian D. Kharpran Daly, D. Syiemlieh and members of the Meghalaya Adventurers' Association entered Krem Kotsati via "Spindro's Backyard Entrance" (Krem –>Umtyongai), negotiate swimming sections and explored an estimated »more than a kilometre of passages« (Kharpran Daly, B D personal communication). 1995: Simon J. Brooks (SJB), Jennifer 'Jenni' or 'Jenny' A. Brooks (JAB), Boycott, Antony 'Tony' (ATB), Christopher M. Smart (CMS) and Daniel [Herbert] Gebauer (HDG), assisted by Brian D. Kharpran Daly and Lindsay B. Diengdoh, stay at the Jowai Circuit House and commence "surveying" (mostly to British sports cavers' standards) some 1.8 km of cave passages in the course of two day trips (note 9): 1995.11.30, trip 1: 1080 m by CMS (note 10), SJB (compass & clino), ATB (tape): Krem Kotsati upstream. 1995.11.30, trip 2: 362 m by HDG, JAB: Downstream Krem Kotsati past Krem Umtyongai (Spindro's Backyard).1995.11.30, trip 3: 421 m by CMS, SJB "survey" Krem Lalit downstream to Krem Kotsati: »30-11-95 From Jowai travel south west to Lumshnong and dividing into two groups [sic! for: three groups] and begin exploration of Krem Kot Sati river cave« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 18). 1995.12.01, trip 4: 359 m by HDG (book), ESA (compass and clino), ATB (tape): Western Inlet (later: Western Bypass): »1-12-95 Return to Lumshnong and continue exploration, survey and photography of Krem Kot Sati. Return once again to Jowai« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 18). 1996: Staying at the Soil Conservation Bungalow of Lumshnong and cared for by Brian D. Kharpran Daly, Gregory B. Diengdoh, Kyrmen 'Hope' C Hiwot Passah, Fairweather W. Mylliemngap (FWM) and Donbokwell Syiemlieh, H. D. Gebauer (book), Andre Abele, Franz Baumgartner (FBA) and Georg Bäumler (GSB), along with Roy Sayag (Tel Aviv), commence appropriate mapping of Krem Kotsati (+1.25 km) and, guided by Spindro Dkhar, were shown the then inconspiciuous Cinema Entrance to Krem Umlawan (6.3 km). Literally quoted, »… the highlight of the March 1996 excursion was the exploration of the beautiful River Cave Krem Um Lawan which became, with 6488 metres of surveyed passage and a vertical extension of 107 m bothe the longest and deepest cave not only of Meghalaya or India, but of the whole Indian subcontinent. The exploration of Krem Um Lawan along with other caves on this trip saw 8,992 km mapped in seven underground days …« (BROOKS, S J 2000: 1). 1996.03.05, trip 5: HDG, BKD, FBA, GJL, RSA: 846 m Synrang Thloo to Krem Lalit.1996.03.05, trip 6: AAB, GSB: 316 m Synrang Thloo to Washing Place Inlet.1996.03.06, trip 7: HDG: 101 m grade 2b-additions.1996.03.07, trip 8: GSB, BKD: 22 m Missing link in Kotsati upstream.1996.03.08, trip 9: HDG, AAB, GSB: 215 m Krem Umlawan to Shoulder Dislocator. 1996.03.08, trip 10: GSB, FBA: 74 m Umlawan Stream.1996.03.09, trip 11: HDG, BKD, FWM, GDI: 1030 m Wah 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River) downstream past Drowned Table Lake to The Cascades.1996.03.09, trip 12: AAB, GSB, FWM: 1137 m Umlawan Stream upstream.1996.03.10, trip 13: HDG, BKD, FBA, GSB: 1871 m Wah 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River) upstream, southern part.1996.03.10, trip 14: AAB, GDI, FWM, RSA: 348 m abandoned level above Umlawan River.1996.03.11, trip 15: HDG, BKD, FBA, RSA: 627 m Wah 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River) upstream past Put Lyer and oxbows.1996.03.11, trip 16: AAB, GSB, FWM: 450 m Upper reaches of Umlawan Stream and Lake Inlet.1996.03.12, trip 17: AAB, GDI, FWM: 135 m Upper reaches of Umlawan Stream: Surprise Exit, etc.1996.03.12, trip 18: HDG, BKD, FBA, GSB: Surface survey Krem Kotsati to Krem Umlawan.1997: With a strong explorer's team residing in a tiny house in Lumshnong village, the connection of Krem Kotsati, Krem Umlawan, Krem Umshor, Krem Umlawan-2 and Krem Petrol Station results in a combined cave system with 19.3 km of passage length by a vertical range of 187 m.1997.02.13, trip 19: Uwe Scherzer (book), Paul A Edmunds, Andrew "Andy" Peter Tyler: 150 m in Bottom End of Wah 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River). Brooks, S J was led to assume that »Paul and Andy push the downstream end of Krem Um Lawan; descended 10 m pitch, but were prevented from making any further progres by a large collapse, which absorbed the entire stream« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 28). 1997.02.13, trip 20: ATJ, ATB, Estelle Sandford (ESA): 695 m in Krem Petrol Station, Crystal Maze. 1997.02.15, trip 21: HDG, BKD, Werner Busch (WBU): 308 m Lake Inlet Maze but Brooks, S J wants »Daniel, Brian, Sämm and Werner check out streamway leads and surveyed 400 m of passage« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 28). 1997.02.15, trip 22: Richard "Ritschie" Frank (RRF), GSB, ESA: 930 m Hinklestone Maze, Steamed Cauliflower Passage: »Estelle, Georg and Ritschie check out potential high level passages in Krem Um Lawan above streamway and survey 900 m« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 28). 1997.02.15, trip 23: ATJ, SJB, ATB: 314 m Connection of Krem Umshor to Krem Kotsati (BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 28). Online (mcra.org.uk/logbooks/?dir=jrat accessed 2008.12.05) we are told that Anthony 'Tony' R. Jarratt (1997.02.15 Mss "Logbook" vol. 7: 58) »discovered« or visited in »Krem Kot Sati [sic!] … 150 m of large streamway and assorted passage.« 1997.02.16, trip 24: HDG, WBU, BKD: 26 m side-legs clean-up in downstream Wah 'Thei Sotti (Virgin River).1997.02.16, trip 25: RRF, GSB, ESA: 91 m side-legs clean-up in upstream Umlawan River. 1997.02.16, trip 26: HDG, RRF, BKD: 77 m side-legs clean-up below Cinema Entrance but Brooks, S J wants »Daniel, Brian and Ritschie in Krem Um Lawan where 200 m of passage is surveyed up to the Fossil Rift Maze Area and Lake Inlet to clear up more loose ends« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 28). 1997.02.16, trip 27: GSB, WBU, ESA: 75 m side-legs clean-up in Shoulder Dislocator Maze but Brooks, S J wants »Estelle, Georg and Werner into the top end of Krem Um Lawan to look at the passages connecting the two streamways where 140 m were surveyed and several loose ends tied up« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 28). 1997.02.16, trip 28: ATB, ATJ, SJB: 874 m connection of Krem Umlawan to Krem Kotsati - Umshor while Brooks, S J was led to believe »Simon, J-Rat and Tony make a second connection and join Krem Um Shor to Krem Um Lawan adding 650 m to the cave [sic! for: to the survey] in the process« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 28).1997.02.17, trip 29: HDG, RRF, USS: 587 m in Holiday Resort, Synrang Thloo Maze.1997.02.18, trip 30: HDG, RRF, USS: 278 m in Liehwait Maze, eastern part: »Daniel, Ritchie and Sämm survey another 400 m of passage off the canal in Lake Passage area of Krem Kot Sati« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 29).1997.02.19, trip 31: HDG, RRF, USS: 712 m in Western Bypass: »Daniel, Ritchie and Sämm survey another 500 m in the Western Inlets area of Krem Kot Sati and in doing so make a connection to the Kot Sati Canal area« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 29).1997.02.20, trip 32: HDG, RRF, USS: 800 m in Western Bypass side legs clean-up. Brooks, S J understood that »Daniel, Ritchie and Sämm survey another 200 m in the canal area« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 29). 1997.02.20, trip 33: GSB (book), SJB (compass, clino), BDK (tape): 416 m in Liehwait Maze, western part: »Simon, George and Brian into Krem Um Lawan to experiment with a 10 m long bamboo maypole, with a wire ladder attached to the top; it worked brilliantly and they find 350 m of high level passage« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 29). 1997.02.21, trip 34: GSB, PAE, SJB, ESA: 310 m in Wah 'Thei Sotti high level stuff »Estelle, Simon, Paul, Georg and Brian go bamboo may-poling in Virgin River Passage of Krem Um Lawan and survey another 250 m in five high level passages« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 29). 1997.02.22, trip 35: HDG, RRF: 736 m resurvey an essential section of the Britisher's "Canal" in addition to some Western Bypass side legs but Brooks, S J wants »22-2-97 Tony, J-Rat, Daniel and Ritschie [to] find a small amount of passage in main entrance area of Krem Kot Sati« in addition to »24-2-97 Daniel, Sämm, and Ritschie swim the canals … [and] find about 200 m of new passage« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998). 1997.02.22, trip 36: USS (book), SJB (compass & clino), ESA (tape): 762 m of George's Dream Series: »Estelle, Simon and Sämm return to to Krem Um Lawan, Virgin River Passage Area with bamboo maypole, ascend 6 m climb in vicinity of Palaeo-Virgin River Area to find 750 m of very dry and well decorated fossil passage christened Georg's Dream Series« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 29). 1997.02.22, trip 37: GSB, APT, BKD, FWM: 226 m in Krem Umlawan 2: »Paul, Andy and the Colonel go on a photographic trip in Krem Kot Sati, particularly to photograph the Obelisk Chamber. Returning to the cottage, Andy, Brian and the Colonel collect Georg and go off to locate the entrance of Krem Lawan 2 [sic! for: Krem Umlawan 2] where 100 m of large passage is surveyed« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 29). 1997.02.22, trip 38: ATJ, AJB: 25 m in "No way to Krem Umkhang - Kharasniang" passage. Online (mcra.org.uk/logbooks/?dir=jrat accessed 2008.12.05) we are told that Anthony 'Tony' R. Jarratt (1997.02.22 Mss "Logbook" vol. 7: 65) reports to have »discovered« in »Krem Kot Sati [sic!] 35 m of grubby inlet passage and oxbow« or bypass. 1997.02.24, trip 39: GSB (book), SJB, BKD: 388 m in Krem Umlawan 2: »… bamboo maypole and access of roof passage and survey 400 m« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 29).1997.02.25, trip 40: USS, ATB, ESA, FWM: 707 m in George's Dream Series, Desperation Series, etc. Brooks, S J had learned that »Estelle, Tony, Kaiman [Kyrmen 'Hope' C Hiwot Passah] and Sämm returned to Georg's Dream Series … and survey another 300 m. A connection made to Steel Drum Bypass and a shaft to daylight is also found« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 30). 1997.02.25, trip 41: RRF, BKD, RWA, SJB: 536 m in Umlawan 2, 7-Way Chamber, and Ritschi's Maze. Brooks, S J believed that »Simon, Ritschie, Georg, Brian and Raphael returned to Krem Um Lawan 2, explored and surveyed another 350 m of passage and connected it to Krem Um Lawan near Surprise Exit. Raphael took some video film in the cave« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 30). 1997.02.26, trip 42: HDG, GSB, RRF: 295 m Western Inlet side-leg clean-up but Brooks, S J recorded that »Daniel, Ritschie and George go into Kot Sati and survey another 200 m of passage« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 30). 1997.02.26, trip 43: SJB, PAE »conducted a surface survey« to link Krem –>Liat Hati and »Krem Poh Shnong« (Krem poh –>Shong, Lumshnong) to »the overall Krem Kot Sati/Krem Um Lawan system survey« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 30). 1997.02.27, trip 44: ATJ, ATB, BKD »… go to Krem Um Sahi [what is this?] and Krem Um Kharasniang and try pushing the extremities to connect to Krem Um Lawan. Find several ways off but no connection« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 30). 1997.02.28, trip 45: ATJ, ATB, BKD and Spindro Dkhar »… go to Krem Um Khang entrance area and pushed every conceivable lead yet fail to make the connection to Krem Um Lawan. … All then go to the Lake Entrance of Krem Um Lawan armed with a 10 m bamboo pole and survey 100 m in a few short roof passages beyond lake« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 30). 1997.03.01, trip 46: Thy-Will-Be-Done AA and Marcos AA guide ATJ, ATB and ESA to »… a cave entrance behind Lumshnong Garage, christened Garage Pot, where they descend a 10 m entrance pitch that drops into the Krem Um Lawan, Georg's Dream Series where another 400 m of passage is surveyed« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 30). 1997.03.02, trip 47: Spirit Lamare, Worlin Lamare, ATJ, ATB, APT, RWA »… split into two teams; one team photographing in Lake Entrance of Krem Um Lawan and the other checking out surface area near to where the downstream end of Krem Um Lawan is believed to be. On the way back, the second team are shown four entrances, all called Krem Um Lawan, and all previously unknown. Investigations reveal that one entrance is choked, and the other three have pitches for which the team have no tackle to enable a descent to be made« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 30).1997.03.02, trip 48: »Raphael, Anand, Kaiman [Kyrmen 'Hope' C Hiwot Passah] and George go on a photography trip into Krem Um Khang« (Brooks, S J in: BROOKS, S J et al 1998: 30). 1998: Staying once more at the Soil Conservation Bungalow, this time extended by a spacious double tent, the odds and ends found contribute to a total survey length of 21'234.32 m and a vertical range of 213.69 m (+5.56 m / -208.13 m). BROOKS (2000b: 3) understood that in the »… Lumnsnong [sic!] area, Krem Kotsati-UmLawan [sic!] was extended [sic!] by another 2 km to 21.2 km in length, further reinforcing its status as India's longest and deepest cave.« 1998.02.20, trip 49: 67 m by APT, ELB, RRF, THM, UKR: Odds and ends in Synrang Thloo Maze.1998.02.20, trip 50: 84 m by ATB, ATJ, BJO: Descent of Old Men's Pot.1998.02.22, trip 51: 278 m by ATB, ATJ, SAM, BJO: Old Men's Pot sidelegs and Lait Thwiat Sump (Hairbreadth Escape).1998.02.27, trip 52: 160 m by GSB, RRF, THM: Odds and ends in Krem Umlawan 2.1998.03.01, trip 53: 56 m by BJO, RWA, YWE: Old Mens' Pot window.1998.03.02, trip 54: 405 m by BJO, RWA, YWE: Raphael's Climb.1998.03.02, trip 55: 280 m by ATB, ICH, GSI: Anglo-Sikh Series east of Rift Pot and Cascades.1998.03.03, trip 56: 224 m by ATJ, ICH, GSI: Anglo-Sikh Series.1998.03.01, trip 57: 46 m by ATB, SAM, RRF: Odds and ends in Synrang Thloo Maze.1998.03.03, trip 58: 38 m by ATB, JAB, RWA: Odds and ends in Krem Umshor.1998.03.05, trip 59: 136 m by ATJ, ICH, KMI: Odds and ends near Cinema Entrance.1998.03.05, trip 60: 238 m by ATB, SAM: Odds and ends near Lake Inlet. 1999.02.18, trip 61: GSB, ATB, CWF, CJA, HJA, BKD, ZRA and MZA find the connection between Kotsati and Umshor choked with boulders. 1999.02.22, trip 62: ATB, NSO and AVA add 50 m in the Anglo-Sikh Series.2000.02.25: Jarratt (2000.02.25 Mss: Cave Log): »We were amazed to see a brand new fence and concrete path with a superb flight of concrete steps and scaffold handrails leading down into the cave to the water's edge. This has obviously been a professional and expensive job –a Spindro project? A new building is being erected nearby and if the cave here was not so aquatic one could suspect a potential show cave operation being set up!« 2002.02.14, trip 63: DBH, FWA, PAE »… purchased meat for bait from Khleriat [sic! qua: Khliehriat] to much ammussenent [sic! qua: amusement] from the stall holder. Entered cave thru [sic! qua: through] lake inlet and set traps for threshhold fauna 17m from entrance. Exited cave and went thru the forest to Cinama [sic!] Entrance. Set traps in fossel [sic! qua: relic] passage, set 4 water traps further in. Did some oppertunistic [sic!] sampling, the big fish got away (honest) but caught 2 small loaches and some snails. More traps were set in oxbows [sic! qua: bypasses]. Paul went out early due to an ankle injury, but mnaged [sic!] to track down Tony J.'s tea lady. Talked with many locals who wer [sic!] very interesting [sic!] in caving« (Hodgson 2002.02.14 Mss: Meghalaya Diary). 2006.03.21: Lindsay B. Diengdoh and Addison "Eddy" Thabah take »16 Air Warriors« to a guided tourist trip into a »cave at Umlawan. … "The whole experience was exciting [egg-citing?] and enriching" said team leader Gp. Capt. KA Kumar. Lauding the team for their skill and courage, Air Marshal F.H. Major said that Air Force will have more of such expeditions by the air warriors in future« (Sixteen Air Warriors Felicitated 2006.03.28). 2012.06.28: »Brian Daly of Meghalaya Adventurers Association (MAA) who first took on this powerful lobby to rescue the famous Umlawan and Umsati cave system from destruction due to limestone mining had to finally give up his fight« (The Shillong Times, 28th June 2012: PIL against Cement Companies might open a can of worms 2012.06.28). Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 02/04/2016

Cavités proche

Distance (km)NomLongueur (m)Profondeur (m)
0.0SHNONG, Lumshnong (Krem poh)
0.2UMTYONGAI (Krem)
0.2UMSYNREM, Lumshnong (Passah 1997) (Krem)
0.2DIENIUNG, Lumshnong, 1st (Krem)
0.2UMSHOR (Krem)
0.3UMSHOR 2 (Krem)
0.3UMSHOR 3 (Krem)
0.3AA CAVE, Lumshnong (Lindenmayr) 08
0.3DIENIUNG, Lumshnong, 2nd (Krem)