The Cave That Gave Us 'Meghalayan Age' Becomes A UNESCO Recognized Site!!

You guessed it right (obviously the name of the Geological “Age” gave it away)! Yeah, this place is in Meghalaya, that is known for caving.

One of the longest caves in the Indian subcontinent that was the first cave explored by a British official in 1844 – Mawmluh Cave in Sohra (locally known as Krem Mawmluh), has been chosen as one of the “First 100 IUGS Geological Sites”.

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, who expressed his joy at the recognition, tweeted “IUSG 60th Anniversary Event in Zumaia, Basque Coast UNESCO Global Geopark (Spain) will declare the First 100 IUSG Geological Heritage Sites selected from 181 candidate sites from 56 countries”.

For those unaware of the “Meghalayan Age” relation, this is the reason:

We might just have to retrace our step backwards a few million years! We all are aware of the Jurassic Period (the movie made sure of that!). The mass extinction of dinosaurs helped geologists to determine the geologic scale of our beautiful planet. Since geology is the study of the sediments that are left behind, generation after generation, for millions and billions of years, when something as big as an extinction event happens, the rock strata become the witness!

Holocene which is the current epoch that started 11,650 Cal years ago is split into three parts, out of which one is the Meghalayan Age that started 4,200 years ago with an abrupt mega-drought that caused a collapse of several civilizations in Egypt, Greece, Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and the Yangtze River Valley. Geologists from the International Union of Geological Sciences found proof of this significant event in Meghalaya's Mawmluh Cave system. And hence, we Indians have a geological age named after one of our states!

A geological treasure, the Mawmluh Cave where the slow dripping of rainwater for over 1,000 years from the ceiling in the same spot led to the gradual formation of calcium carbonate towers from the minerals of the water. Those calcium carbonate towers are known as stalagmites.

What is it like inside the caves?

Exactly like walking inside the maw of a large dinosaur! The stalagmite formations inside the cave resemble jagged teeth, and the caves themselves give one the sense of walking in forbidden, dark places at times and then suddenly opening into grand echoing cathedrals of nature. It's thrilling, and nothing compares to the feeling of walking through history, visible in the stone. The striations that geologists’ study are front and center here - visible to the naked eye!

Since these caves are located in Sohra that is in Cherrapunjee, some scientists are studying the stalagmites to help predict monsoon patterns and droughts.

Best Way to Reach Mawmluh:

Reach Shillong, by train or flight -> Head to Sohra in Cherrapunjee -> Take a taxi to Mawmluh

Best Time to Visit Mawmluh:

Between November to February (you don’t want to be caught up in the monsoon!!)

Things to be remembered:

• Use a guide to ensure your safety and who can show you the best possible local places.

• Get rubber boots. Those are recommended as you would be wading through water (as more often than not water accumulates because this place is extremely wet!!)

If you are into caving, Meghalaya is the place for you as this state is known to have lots of extensive cave systems. And some of these cave systems are still in the process of being mapped out!!

With this new recognition as a UNESCO site, having the privilege of being named a geological time scale and this year being Meghalaya’s 50th year of statehood, the entire state in a festive mood, somewhat like a smorgasbord of experiences that might turn into a year-long celebration of food, culture, adventure sports and ecotourism – basically a little something for everyone!

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