The Nakanai Mountains are a limestone range that covers an area of about 4,000 square kilometers. The mountains are characterized by numerous sinkholes, where rainwater has eroded the soluble rock and created openings to the underground world. The local people have long known about these sinkholes, but regarded them as places of danger and taboo, where spirits and crocodiles may dwell.
The first scientific exploration of the Nakanai caves was undertaken in 1968 by Chris Borough and Kevin Reid of the Port Moresby Speleological Society. They located a large sinkhole called Minya, which they estimated to be 1.5 kilometers long and 460 meters deep. However, they were unable to descend into it due to lack of equipment and local support.
The next major expedition was conducted in 1985 by a French team led by Jean-Paul Sounier. They explored several caves in the Nakanai region, including Minya, which they renamed Muruk, meaning cassowary in Tok Pisin. They discovered that Muruk was connected to another cave called Casoar, forming a system that reached a depth of 1,058 meters. They also found evidence of prehistoric human occupation in some of the caves, such as stone tools and charcoal.
Since then, several other expeditions have been carried out by French, British, Australian, and Swiss teams, who have extended the exploration of the Muruk-Casoar system to over 40 kilometers in length and 1,258 meters in depth. The system is still not fully mapped and holds many secrets for future cavers to discover.
Culture: What is the significance of the Muruk Cave System for the local people and their traditions?
The Nakanai people are the traditional custodians of the land where the Muruk Cave System is located. They have a rich and diverse culture that reflects their adaptation to their environment. They practice subsistence agriculture, hunting, fishing, and gathering. They also have a strong sense of community and kinship, expressed through ceremonies, rituals, dances, songs, stories, and art.
The Nakanai people have a complex relationship with the caves. On one hand, they respect them as sacred places where their ancestors reside and where they bury their dead. Some caves are used as shrines or oracle sites, where they communicate with spirits or seek guidance. On the other hand, they fear them as dangerous places where evil forces may lurk and harm them. Some caves are avoided or forbidden to enter without permission or protection.
The Nakanai people have also benefited from the caves in various ways. They have used them as sources of water, food, shelter, medicine, and materials. For example, they have collected bat guano for fertilizer, edible insects for protein, stalactites for lime production, cave pearls for jewelry making, and cave paintings for decoration.
The Nakanai people have welcomed and supported some of the cave explorers who have visited their land. They have shared their knowledge and stories about the caves with them. They have also learned from them about the scientific value and potential of the caves. However, they have also faced some challenges and conflicts with some of the explorers who have disregarded their rights and interests. For instance, some explorers have damaged or removed cultural artifacts from the caves without consent or compensation.
Development: What are the challenges and opportunities for the conservation and promotion of the Muruk Cave System?
The Muruk Cave System is a natural treasure that deserves recognition and protection. It has scientific importance as a source of geological, biological, archaeological, and climatological information. It has cultural significance as a part of the Nakanai heritage and identity. It has aesthetic appeal as a showcase of stunning formations and landscapes.
However, the Muruk Cave System is also facing several threats and pressures that may jeopardize its integrity and sustainability. Some of these threats include:
- Deforestation and land degradation due to logging, mining, agriculture, and infrastructure development. These activities may alter the hydrology and ecology of the caves, as well as increase the risk of erosion, sedimentation, pollution, and flooding.
- Climate change and natural disasters such as droughts, storms, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. These events may affect the stability and accessibility of the caves, as well as the diversity and distribution of the cave fauna and flora.
- Unregulated and irresponsible tourism and exploration. These activities may cause physical damage and disturbance to the caves, as well as cultural disrespect and conflict with the local people.
To address these challenges and opportunities, there is a need for a holistic and collaborative approach that involves multiple stakeholders and perspectives. Some of the possible actions and strategies include:
- Raising awareness and education about the value and vulnerability of the Muruk Cave System among the general public, the government, the private sector, the media, and the academic community.
- Strengthening the legal and institutional framework for the management and governance of the Muruk Cave System, such as by establishing a protected area status, a management plan, a monitoring system, and a stakeholder committee.
- Enhancing the capacity and participation of the Nakanai people in the conservation and promotion of the Muruk Cave System, such as by providing training, funding, equipment, employment, and empowerment opportunities.
- Developing and implementing best practices and standards for tourism and exploration in the Muruk Cave System, such as by creating guidelines, codes of conduct, permits, fees, limits, and incentives.
- Supporting research and documentation on the Muruk Cave System, such as by facilitating access, collaboration, data sharing, publication, and dissemination.
Tourism: What are the attractions and activities for visitors to the Muruk Cave System?
The Muruk Cave System is a destination for adventurous travelers who seek a unique and challenging experience. It is not a place for casual or inexperienced visitors, as it requires physical fitness, technical skills, specialized equipment, and professional guidance. It is also not a place for mass or commercial tourism, as it demands respect for nature and culture.
The main attraction of the Muruk Cave System is caving or spelunking, which is the exploration of caves for recreation or scientific purposes. Caving involves various techniques such as rappelling, climbing, crawling, swimming, diving, mapping, photographing, and camping inside the caves. Caving also involves various risks such as injury, illness, exhaustion, dehydration, hypothermia, getting lost, or trapped.
The Muruk Cave System offers a variety of caving options for different levels of difficulty and duration. Some of the most popular caves include:
- Muruk: The main entrance to the system, which is a huge sinkhole that leads to a series of chambers and passages with impressive formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, columns, curtains, and flowstones. Muruk can be explored in a day trip or an overnight stay.
- Casoar: The deepest part of the system, which is reached by following an underground river that flows through narrow canyons and sumps (submerged passages). Casoar requires advanced caving skills and equipment, as well as several days to complete.
- Christian Rigaldie: The second deepest part of the system, which is accessed by another sinkhole that descends to a large chamber with a spectacular waterfall. Christian Rigaldie also requires advanced caving skills and equipment, as well as several days to complete.
Besides caving, there are other attractions and activities for visitors to the Muruk Cave System and its surroundings. Some of these include:
- Hiking: There are many trails that lead to scenic viewpoints and natural features in the Nakanai Mountains, such as waterfalls, lakes, forests, and wildlife. Hiking can be done independently or with local guides.
- Birdwatching: There are many species of birds that inhabit the Nakanai Mountains, some of which are endemic or rare. Some of the most sought-after birds include the New Britain endemics such as the New Britain boobook owl, the New Britain friarbird, the New Britain thrush, and the New Britain kingfisher. Birdwatching can be done independently or with local guides.
- Culture: There are many opportunities to learn about and interact with the Nakanai people and their culture. Some of these include visiting villages, schools, markets, churches, museums, and festivals; participating in ceremonies, rituals, dances, songs, stories, and art; sampling local cuisine; and buying local handicrafts.
Conclusion: What are the main takeaways and recommendations for future travelers to the
The Muruk Cave System is a hidden wonder of Papua New Guinea that offers a unique and challenging experience for adventurous travelers. It is one of the deepest and longest cave systems in the world, with a network of underground rivers and chambers that showcase stunning formations and landscapes. It is also a part of the Nakanai heritage and identity, with a rich and diverse culture that reflects their adaptation to their environment. However, the Muruk Cave System is also facing several threats and pressures that may jeopardize its integrity and sustainability, such as deforestation, climate change, and unregulated tourism. Therefore, there is a need for a holistic and collaborative approach that involves multiple stakeholders and perspectives to conserve and promote this natural treasure.
For future travelers who wish to visit the Muruk Cave System, here are some recommendations:
- Plan ahead and prepare well. The Muruk Cave System is not a place for casual or inexperienced visitors. It requires physical fitness, technical skills, specialized equipment, and professional guidance. It is also not a place for mass or commercial tourism. It demands respect for nature and culture. Therefore, travelers should do their research, book their arrangements, pack their essentials, and follow the rules and regulations before embarking on their journey.
- Be respectful and responsible. The Muruk Cave System is a sacred place for the Nakanai people, who are the traditional custodians of the land. Travelers should respect their rights and interests, as well as their customs and beliefs. Travelers should also be responsible for their actions and impacts, such as by minimizing their waste, noise, and disturbance; avoiding damage or disturbance to the caves and their contents; and supporting local initiatives and enterprises.
- Enjoy and learn. The Muruk Cave System is a destination for learning and discovery, as well as for adventure and fun. Travelers should enjoy the beauty and challenge of the caves, as well as the diversity and richness of the culture. Travelers should also learn from the experience, such as by gaining new knowledge, skills, insights, and perspectives; appreciating the value and vulnerability of the caves; and sharing their stories and feedback with others.
The Muruk Cave System is a hidden wonder of Papua New Guinea that awaits to be explored by adventurous travelers who seek a unique and challenging experience. It is a place of beauty, mystery, and challenge; a place of history, culture, and identity; a place of science, conservation, and development. It is a place worth visiting and protecting for generations to come.
References:
1. pngattitude.com2. researchonline.jcu.edu.au3. showcaves.com4. showcaves.com5. papuanewguinea.travel6. papuanewguinea.travel7. papuanewguinea.travel