Perlis Forestry Department Identifies 83 Previously Unexplored Caves

KANGAR, June 7 (Bernama) -- The Perlis Forestry Department has successfully identified 83 previously unexplored caves along the Nakawan Range through a 21-day inventory study conducted for documentation purposes.

Perlis Forestry director Ag Shaffie Ag Ahmadni said that six of the caves are particularly beautiful and unique and appear to have potential to be developed into new ecotourism attractions in Perlis but further assessment and evaluation by relevant experts will be required to determine their suitability and associated risks.

“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 the closing ceremony of the Nakawan Rainforest Festival, held in conjunction with this year’s state-level International Forests Day celebration at Bukit Ayer Forest Eco Park, within the Sungai Batu Pahat Ecotourism Complex, near here today.

The closing ceremony was officiated by Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail. Also in attendance was Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Ag Shaffie said that before any cave is selected for tourism development, the department will prepare a comprehensive cave management 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, noting that currently only two caves serve as ecotourism destinations in Perlis - Gua Kelam and Gua Wang Burma.

Ag Shaffie said the 21-day fieldwork for the inventory study involved eight forest community groups in Perlis, each contributing specialised expertise and working together as a team with support from the state Forestry Department.

At the closing ceremony, the Perlis Forestry Department also received recognition from The Malaysia Book of Records for achieving the record for “Most Caves Surveyed in a Speleological Expedition” following the discovery of the 83 caves.

-- BERNAMA