Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF of Class 12 Voices (English Supplementary reader textbook) chapter Enchanting Caves of Meghalaya by BD Kharpran Daly which is part of the syllabus of students studying under MBOSE (Meghalaya Board). These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
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Summary
Meghalaya, a small state in India, is celebrated for its pleasant climate, diverse flora and fauna, and its dramatic landscape. Inhabited by the Khasis, Garos, and Jaintias, it is the only matrilineal state in India, which enriches its cultural uniqueness. However, Meghalaya’s distinction extends beyond its scenic beauty and cultural heritage to its vast, mysterious network of caves. Over 1,100 caves have been discovered, largely due to the efforts of the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association and foreign cavers. These caves are found primarily in the sedimentary rocks along the state’s southern and southeastern borders.
The geological history of Meghalaya reveals that millions of years ago, it was a tiny coral island. Over time, limestone and sandstone were deposited due to the activities of rivers and the sea, forming a complex structure of five limestone beds alternating with sandstone. This unique geological formation facilitated the creation of Meghalaya’s extensive cave systems.
The systematic exploration of these caves began in April 1992 by the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association, followed by significant contributions from British and German cavers. Since then, 653 caves have been explored, covering over 310 km of mapped passages. Meghalaya’s conditions—high-grade limestone, a hot and humid climate, and high rainfall—are ideal for cave formation.
Among the famous caves are Siju Dobakkol, Krem Syndai, and Krem Marai. Siju Dobakkol, situated by the Simsang river, is renowned for its impressive entrance and large chambers inhabited by bats. Krem Syndai, known for its impressive calcite formations, holds religious significance for Hindu sadhus. Krem Marai, near Shillong Peak, is linked to local legends and consists of a chamber and short clefts.
Caves in Meghalaya support a variety of troglobitic animals, adapted to the dark, damp conditions. These include spiders, millipedes, crickets, and various other species, many of which are endemic and significant for scientific research.
However, the cave ecosystems are under threat due to deforestation, soil erosion, and indiscriminate extraction of coal and limestone. Environmental conservation efforts are essential to protect these fragile habitats. The British Cave Research Association’s Conservation Code provides guidelines to minimise human impact on these delicate environments, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
Understanding and appreciating these caves is crucial for their conservation and the broader study of Earth’s history and biodiversity. Meghalaya’s caves are not only natural wonders but also invaluable scientific resources that must be preserved.
Video tutorial
Textual questions and answers
Answer these questions briefly
1. According to the author, what makes Meghalaya unique?
Answer: Meghalaya is unique for its salubrious climate, rich fauna and flora, beautiful terrain of plateaus, cliffs and canyons, the world’s highest precipitation of rainfall, and its deep and mysterious subterranean realm.
2. What was Meghalaya millions of years ago?
Answer: Millions of years ago, Meghalaya was just a tiny coral island rising from a tropical ocean swarming with sharks and teaming with shellfish and crustaceans, which thrived in the warm ocean waters.
3. What spearheaded the discovery and exploration of Meghalaya’s caves?
Answer: The Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association spearheaded the discovery and exploration of Meghalaya’s caves.
4. What features made Meghalaya right for cave-formation?
Answer: High-grade limestone, a hot and humid climate, the world’s highest precipitation of rain, and an elevation made Meghalaya right for cave-formation.
5. Name Meghalaya’s three most well-known caves.
Answer: Meghalaya’s three most well-known caves are Siju Dobakkol (Siju Cave), Krem Syndai (also known as Jogindra Cave), and Krem Marai.
6. What kind of organisms are adapted to survive in caves?
Answer: Troglobitic animals, which have adapted to the dark sunless world by losing their pigmentation, losing eyes, and elongating sensory hairs, antennae, and other body-part proportions, are adapted to survive in caves.
7. Why are caves regarded as ‘natural museums’?
Answer: Caves are regarded as ‘natural museums’ because they constitute a valuable scientific resource and contain evidence of past climate, past geomorphic processes, past vegetation, past animals, and past people.
8. What is posing a threat to the cave ecosystem? What corrective steps are being taken?
Answer: Changing land use, deforestation, erosion of top soil, and the indiscriminate extraction of coal and limestone are posing a threat to the cave ecosystem. The BCRA has formulated a Conservation Code as corrective steps as under:
- Do not touch the formations.
- Leave no litter, spent carbide or human waste. Remember, all that is taken in has to be brought out.
- Do not mark or write on cave walls.
- Do not disturb bats or any other cave life.
- Avoid damage to original floors by following established paths.
- Move slowly and carefully in decorated areas.
- Don’t take souvenirs out of the cave except memories or photographs.
Answer these questions in a paragraph
1. Describe the geological birth of Meghalaya.
Answer: Millions of years ago, Meghalaya was just a tiny coral island rising from a tropical ocean swarming with sharks and teaming with shellfish and crustaceans which thrived in the warm ocean waters. Its birth was not a smooth and easy process, but rather a succession of dramatic events, where parts of the land were uplifted only to sink, before rising above the sea again.
2. Besides its congenial climate, flora and fauna, what is Meghalaya famous for and why?
Answer: Besides its congenial climate, flora and fauna, Meghalaya is famous for its deep and mysterious subterranean realm. It has a vast number of caves that were unknown, unseen and unheard of until recently. Over 1,100 caves have been identified and registered by the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association who have been working in close collaboration with foreign cavers, in the exploration and systematic mapping of these virgin caves. Meghalaya owes a great deal to the zeal and dedication of these speleologists who have brought to light, these deep, dark and magnificent underground secrets.
3. Of the three caves described in the text, choose any one and describe it in your own words.
Answer: Siju Dobakkol, also known as Siju Cave, is the most famous and well-known cave in India. Situated on the banks of the Simsang river below the village of Siju, it has an impressive entrance and is home to tens of thousands of bats. It consists mainly of a single major river passage containing a sizeable stream and chambers strewn with large boulders. The cave features a beautifully sculptured stream passage that leads to several large chambers and side passages. The main active streamway in the cave can be followed for some distance, with various points where the route divides, leading to different chambers and passages.
4. Describe the various species of life found in the caves of Meghalaya.
Answer: The common species observed in the cave environment of Meghalaya include spiders, harvestmen, pseudo-scorpions, millipedes, crickets, cockroaches, beetles, flies, ‘snot gobblers’ (larvae of a midge species), woodlice, crabs, shrimps, crayfish and fish. Many of these animals are de-pigmented or totally white with reduced eyes. These troglobitic animals have adapted to the dark, sunless world by losing their pigmentation and experiencing degeneration or loss of eyes and elongation of sensory hairs, antennae, and other body parts to better sense their environment. The cave fauna of Meghalaya is more abundant and distinct from that of any other known cave region within India.
Answer these questions in detail
1. ‘Caves hold the key to the past.’ Explain this statement.
Answer: Caves hold the key to the past because they are invaluable to the archaeologist, the palaeontologist, the hydrologist, the geologist, the biospeleologist, and the climatologist. Archaeologists find important sites for evidence of past human activity. Palaeontologists discover deposits of bones and fossil materials. Hydrologists study subterranean water conditions. Geologists examine rock strata to learn about past conditions. Biospeleologists research unique troglobitic animals. Climatologists decipher past climate history recorded in stalagmites to predict future climatic changes.
2. ‘Caves are regarded as natural museums.’ Substantiate this statement.
Answer: Caves are regarded as natural museums because they preserve evidence of past climate, past geomorphic processes, past vegetation, past animals, and past human activity. They are valuable scientific resources where persistent and knowledgeable individuals can read the pages of Earth’s history. They contain deposits and formations that are datable and can provide unique insights into the past fauna, flora, and human activities of a region. Caves allow scientists to study subterranean water conditions, unique troglobitic animals, and rock strata that reveal historical environmental changes.
3. Environmentalists are concerned about the deteriorating state of the caves in Meghalaya. Do they have reason to be concerned? Why?
Answer: Environmentalists have reason to be concerned about the deteriorating state of the caves in Meghalaya because the cave environment is fragile and delicate. Changes in water-flow, airflow, land use, and deforestation threaten the cave ecosystems. Erosion of topsoil, pollution from harmful chemicals, and indiscriminate extraction of coal and limestone can destroy the caves and their unique fauna. Such activities bring about changes in flood regimes and nutrient inputs, leading to losses of the unique Meghalayan cave fauna and changes in hydrology. Therefore, it is crucial to conserve these natural habitats for future generations.
Writing
Write a report from a student’s point of view, on ways to conserve the fragile and delicate cave environment.
Answer: As a student concerned about the environment, I believe conserving our fragile and delicate cave ecosystems is vital. Caves hold significant ecological, historical, and scientific value, and their preservation is essential.
To begin with, public education is crucial. Awareness campaigns in schools and communities can highlight the importance of caves and the impact of human activities on these ecosystems. Educating people about the delicate nature of caves can foster a sense of responsibility and encourage protective actions.
Strict regulations are necessary to safeguard caves. Governments should enforce laws that limit mining, deforestation, and pollution near cave sites. Responsible tourism practices, such as guided tours and designated pathways, can minimise the damage caused by visitors.
Supporting scientific research can provide insights into cave ecosystems and inform conservation strategies. Researchers can study the unique flora and fauna in caves and share their findings with policymakers to develop effective protection measures.
Engaging local communities in conservation efforts is essential. Involving residents in monitoring caves and reporting illegal activities can enhance protection. Additionally, efforts to reduce pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities are crucial for maintaining cave health.
Restoring damaged caves through pollutant removal, re-establishing natural water flows, and reintroducing native species can help revive ecosystems. Promoting conservation ethics in schools can cultivate a sense of environmental responsibility among young people.
Extra fill in the blanks
1. Meghalaya is unique as the only ______ state in the country. (matrilineal/patriarchal)
Answer: matrilineal
2. The Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association has identified and registered over ______ caves. (1100/500)
Answer: 1100
25. Recent observations hint at the rich ______ within the caves, especially in the Jaintia Hills. (fauna/flora)
Answer: fauna
Extra true or False
1. Meghalaya is one of the smallest states in India.
Answer: True
2. Meghalaya is unique for being the only matrilineal state in India.
Answer: True
25. The Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association has collaborated with British and German cavers for exploration.
Answer: True
Extra questions and answers
1. Which place has the highest precipitation of rainfall?
Answer: Meghalaya has the world’s highest precipitation of rainfall.
2. How many caves have been identified and registered by the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association?
Answer: Over 1,100 caves have been identified and registered by the Meghalaya Adventurers’ Association.
25. Discuss the cultural and historical importance of caves in Meghalaya, with specific examples.
Answer: Caves in Meghalaya hold considerable cultural and historical importance, intertwined with the traditions and legends of the local tribes. For instance, Krem Marai cave is associated with the legend of ‘Pah Syntiew,’ the ancestral queen mother of the Syiem (chief) of Mylliem and Khyrim. According to folklore, Pah Syntiew was a beautiful damsel lured out of the cave using a special flower by the ancestor of the two states’ royal houses. This legend highlights the cultural heritage linked to the cave and its role in local narratives. Siju Dobakkol cave, another significant site, has been a subject of extensive biospeleological research since 1922, marking it as an important historical and scientific location. Additionally, Krem Syndai, revered by Hindu sadhus during the festival of Shivaratri, reflects the cave’s religious significance. These examples illustrate how caves in Meghalaya are not only natural wonders but also integral to the region’s cultural and historical fabric, enriching the local heritage and providing a deeper understanding of the tribes’ traditions and beliefs.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger. He manages Online Free Notes and reads Victorian literature. His favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and he hopes to travel the world. Get in touch with him by sending him a friend request.
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