83 unexplored caves found in Perlis mountain range

 Six caves 'are particularly beautiful and unique' and have potential for eco-tourism, says the state forestry director.

File pic of the path to the Kelam cave, in an ecotourism park north of Kangar. (JPNP pic)

KANGAR:

The Perlis forestry department has successfully identified 83 previously unexplored caves along the Nakawan Range after a 21-day inventory study conducted for documentation purposes.

Perlis forestry director Ag Shaffie Ag Ahmadni said six of the caves are particularly beautiful and unique and appear to have potential as new ecotourism attractions; further assessment and evaluation will be required, he said.

“One of the caves contains a pool that may be suitable for cave-diving activities. We will conduct further studies on the feasibility of such activities. Just because a cave is beautiful does not guarantee that it can be opened as a tourist destination – we must evaluate both its potential and its risks.

“If a cave is attractive but presents a high risk of accidents, then it would not be suitable,” he told reporters after closing the Nakawan rainforest festival held in conjunction with this year’s state-level International Forests Day celebration.

Shaffie said the forestry department will prepare a comprehensive master plan for caves along the range, classifying them according to their fossil value, archaeological artifacts, biodiversity, and tourism potential.

“We need to determine which caves are most suitable for opening to the public, how soon they can be opened, and what plans are needed to improve access routes and related facilities. It is a very complex planning process,” he said.

Only two caves in Perlis currently serve as ecotourism destinations: Gua Kelam and Gua Wang Burma.  - FMT