Tuijin Jishu/Journal of Propulsion Technology ISSN: 1001-4055 Vol. 44 No. 4 (2023) __________________________________________________________________________________ 1152 Biospeleological Study of the Phuljhar Cave of Gariaband, Chhattisgarh, India Gokul Prasad 1 , Akhilesh Kumar 1 Laxmikant 1 & Jayant Biswas 1,2 * 1 Department of Zoology, ISBM University Nawapara (kosmi), Block-Chhura, Dist-Gariaband (Chhattisgarh) 2 National Cave Research and Protection Organization, Raipur 492001, Chhattisgarh, India Abstract: Biospeleological status of the Indian cave is still less known. Till date, very few caves have been biologically explored in India. This study aims to document and categorize the different species found in a Talus cave in Gariabandh district, Chhatisgarh, India. In addition to most of the common cavernicolous species found inside the subterranean caves, we also identified some unique species that no other cave in India has ever recorded. This cave is also a sheltered place for some dreaded wild animals due to which high alertness is always required to visit this cave. Finally, on the basis of the identified species and other biotic substances found inside this cave, we have also prepared a tentative food pyramid that possibly operating inside this cave Introduction Caves that are developed underground are open to human exploration. In addition, by understanding the area’s geological makeup, we can determine which areas of the land are secure for human habitation and which are not. There are many animals that call these caves their home; some of them are adapted to live in dim, subterranean environments and cannot be found outside of them. The study of fauna in caves, which rely partially or completely on the cave ecosystem for their life cycle, is called Biospeleology. The fauna that abides inside the caves are categorized into four main types (Vandel, 1965; Gunn, 2005; Balestra et al., 2021, Culver, 1982, Culver & Pipan, 2009; Biswas, 2022). In a broad sense, those are of two major types; i) temporary residents other ii) obligatory or permanent residents. Temporary cave dwellers utilize caves for shelter, hibernation, roosting, reproduction, and feeding. They have to leave the cave from time to time. On the other hand, the obligatory cave dwellers are so adapted to cave life that they can’t even survive outside the cave (Vandel, 1965; Gunn, 2005; Balestra et al., 2021, Culver, 1982, Culver & Pipan, 2009; Biswas, 2022). Certain species have evolved to depend on cave habitats and cannot survive elsewhere. Furthermore, researchers have classified these two types into additional categories based on their cave life attachments (Sket, 2008; Vandel, 1965; Gunn, 2005; Balestra et al., 2021, Culver, 1982, Culver & Pipan, 2009; Biswas, 2022). In the present study, we have targeted a small cave located at the top of a hill named Phuljhar Cave which is situated in the dist Gariaband of Chhattisgarh for its Biospeleological study. tabulated all such faunas which are either temporarily or permanently abiding inside this cave and also tried to understand the possible ecological pyramid operating inside this cave. Materials and Methods Study area: For this study, we target a small talus cave which is situated at a top of a hill nearer to the village named Phuljhar (Lat. 20.251 0 N; Long 82.230 0 E; Elevation- 660.64 ASL). The village comes under the Mainpur Tehsil of district Gariaband. It is located 55 KM towards South of the District headquarters Gariaband, Chhattisgarh. The village Phuljhar is surrounded by Gariaband district towards the South-East, Deobhog Tehsil towards the West, Nagri Tehsil towards East, the state Odisha. And most of these rural and forest areas are under the threat of wild animals especially, Bear and Elephants.