Caves of Meghalaya

Since the 1990s, an exclusive organization known as the Meghalaya Adventurers Association (MAA) (located in Shillong) has been carrying out annual explorations in association with European speleologists, cavers from India, experts from other regions of the world, the Indian Army and the Indian Navy,[2][6][10] bringing to light a large number and length of caves in Meghalaya, relative to other known karst regions of the country.

The "cave-in" stimulated public awareness of the potential threat mining places to the rich scientific, tourism and ecological heritage.

This project generated strong opposition from the local community, supported by international scientists, as the cave hosts many rare species of bats.

After considerable public pressure was applied, the Ministry of Environment and Forests finally withheld clearance for the project.

[14] In respect of the Krem Mawmluh Cave site being the 'GSSP of the youngest unit of the geologic time scale associated with dramatic climate changes with implications on human civilisation' the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS)' included the 'GSSP of the Meghalayan Stage in the Mawmluh Cave' in its assemblage of 100 'geological heritage sites' around the world in a listing published in October 2022.