• Two natural sites from Northeast India — Meghalayan Age Caves (Meghalaya) and Naga Hill Ophiolite (Nagaland) — have been added to India’s Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• The nominations were formally submitted by the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO, marking a step toward possible inscription on the World Heritage List.
• With these inclusions, India’s Tentative List now comprises 69 properties (49 Cultural, 17 Natural, 3 Mixed).
• The Tentative List is a mandatory prerequisite for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Located in East Khasi Hills, the selected caves include Mawmluh, Arwah, Mawsmai and Krem Puri.
• Meghalaya has over 1,600 caves, but these four were chosen based on size, geological features and accessibility.
• Mawmluh Cave is globally significant as the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the Meghalayan Age, the youngest stage of the Holocene epoch.
• The Meghalayan Age began around 4,200 years ago, marked by evidence of a major “4.2 ka event” mega-drought, which contributed to the collapse of several ancient civilisations.
• Stalagmites in Mawmluh preserve high-resolution records of monsoon variability and climate change, making it critical for global geological studies.
• Recognised among the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites globally.
• Krem Puri is the world’s longest sandstone cave (24.5 km).
• The caves host endemic fauna, rare fish species, and unique arthropod communities, underlining their ecological value.
• The site may qualify under UNESCO’s “Cave and Karst Systems” theme.
• Located in Kiphire district, it represents a rare section of ancient oceanic lithosphere thrust onto continental crust during the India–Myanmar plate collision.
• Provides crucial insights into plate tectonics, oceanic crust formation, and continental collision processes.
• Declared a National Geological Monument by the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
• Preserves a relatively complete sequence of Mesozoic to Cenozoic rocks, including ultramafic mantle rocks, mafic volcanic rocks, and marine sediments.
• Overlaps with four Key Biodiversity Areas and Important Bird Areas including Satoi Range and Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary–Saramati area.
• Home to vulnerable species such as the Rufous-necked Hornbill and Blyth’s Tragopan, and rare reptiles like the Asian Brown Tortoise.
• Situated within one of the world’s 18 mega biodiversity hotspots and holds strong geo-bio-cultural significance, linked to Naga traditions and community conservation.
• The Northeast now has eight properties on India’s Tentative List.
• India currently has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including four in the Northeast:
– Kaziranga National Park (Natural)
– Manas National Park (Natural)
– Khangchendzonga National Park (Mixed)
– Charaideo Moidams
• Inclusion in the Tentative List underscores India’s commitment to geoheritage conservation and ecological protection.
Updated - 14 September 2025 ; 12:30 AM IST | News Source: Shillong Times