Perlis Forestry Department has 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 six caves had potential to be developed into new ecotourism attractions but further assessment and evaluation by experts would be required.
“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 to evaluate both its potential and risks.
“If a cave presents a high risk of accidents, then it would not be suitable,” he said after the closing ceremony of Nakawan Rainforest Festival at Bukit Ayer Forest Eco Park, within the Sungai Batu Pahat Ecotourism Complex, near Kangar.
The festival was held in conjunction with the state-level International Forests Day celebration.
Gracing the ceremony were Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail and Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.
Ag Shaffie said before any cave was selected for tourism development, the department would prepare a comprehensive cave management master plan classifying them according to their fossil value, archaeological artefacts, biodiversity and tourism potential, as reported by Bernama.
“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.”
He added that currently only two caves served as ecotourism destinations in Perlis – Gua Kelam and Gua Wang Burma.
At the ceremony, the Perlis Forestry Department also received recognition from Malaysia Book of Records for “Most Caves Surveyed in a Speleological Expedition”.
