Perak: Karst areas are one of the wonders of the landscape formed from the natural environment of limestone rocks, creating unique landscapes such as rocky hills, caves, and underground drainage. In Perak's Kinta Valley, the area encompassing the Kinta and Kampar districts has the largest limestone karst landscape in Peninsular Malaysia, covering approximately 1,952 square kilometres and featuring dozens of caves.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in conjunction with the inaugural celebration of the International Day of Caves and Karst today, it is a step to foster awareness of the importance of karst and caves that provide clean water sources, serve as habitats for endemic life, and function as carbon sinks. The declaration of this special day by UNESCO at the end of last year is not just an empty celebration, but rather a starting point for the need to preserve these karst and cave areas from the threat of uncontrolled development.
Kinta Valley Watch activist Ching Boon Tat emphasized that efforts to preserve karst geography or limestone areas containing underground water flow in the Kinta Valley are crucial to maintaining the unique and irreplaceable natural heritage, especially if limestone hills in the area are destroyed. He noted the unique value of the karst landscape due to its proximity to urban areas and easy accessibility.
He explained that the preservation of the karst geography involving a limestone range approximately 50 kilometres from Sungai Siput Utara to Kampar is critical because any damage to the geological structure will destroy its historical value and natural biodiversity. The Kinta Valley, surrounded by the Titiwangsa Range to the east, Gunung Bujang Melaka to the south, and the Kledang Saiong Range to the west, makes it a unique valley area rich in limestone hills, caves, stalactites, and stalagmites.
Ching highlighted the low level of awareness among the local community regarding the importance and uniqueness of the karst landscape, which has high potential for development through tourism, education, and cultural sectors. He has taken the initiative to conduct visual documentation in the limestone hill area as a step to educate the community and preserve the original record of the terrain.
Another activist, Mohd Zairis Abdul Rani, who is also a cave guide, underscored the critical preservation of the cave area as a site for the discovery of various ancient fossils, historical paintings, and a habitat for endemic flora and fauna. He pointed to significant discoveries such as the ancient elephant fossil (Stegodon) in Gua Kandu, the ancient deer jawbone in the Bukit Mat Surat area, and the discovery of a tiger fossil on the walls of Gua Naga, highlighting the high historical and archaeological value of the Kinta Valley's karst area.
He advocated for the preservation of limestone hills through the declaration of protected areas or conservation forests, as implemented in certain areas like Gopeng, to prevent commercial quarry encroachment in high-risk areas such as Simpang Pulai and around Ipoh. In addition to their prehistoric value, caves serve as important shelters and habitats for various animal species, including bats, snakes, ancient insects, brown tarantulas, scorpions, and aquatic species like catfish and eels inhabiting the streams and natural pools within the caves, such as in Gua Tarantula, Gunung Lang.