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QUARRYING
Quarrying is a constant threat to limestone hills. There is an ever increasing demand for cement and crushed stone, and limestone hills are destroyed to satisy this demand. Some quarry companies have already got permission to quarry hills 90 years from now. Other hills are quarried for their marble, especially in the Kinta Valley and on Langkawi.
Many of the hills are home to endemic species of flora and fauna. There are rare mononphyllaea and begonias which are only found on certain hills. Inside the caves, some spiders are only found in one cave and no where else. Other caves contain stunning formations and may have important archaeological relics.
Important Caves In Danger :
Gua Puncak, Gunung Lanno, Ipoh, Perak, contains Peninsular Malaysia's second largest chamber. Gua Puncak is also important historically as it was mined for tin and contains relics from the mining days, including an old railway line, tools, and a concrete dam. In April 2006 a quarry company started work outside Gua Puncak and partly blocked the small entrance. Another nearby cave was lost when its entrance was covered by rock.
strange sediments |
interesting layers |
view from Gua Puncak |
CRYSTALS
Another threat to caves is the removal of crystals. For a decade or so, people have been removing crystals from caves, particularly in Kedah and Perlis. There is a demand for crystals from crystal shops and mineral collectors. This is an increasing problem as locals see it as a way to make money and indiscriminately take crystals from caves.
In the Sunday Star, 9 March 2008, there was an article on Gunung Keriang in Kedah, and the writer said "Located about 12km from the city centre, Mount Keriang is a natural habitat of hundreds of species of trees and plants. It also has a limestone outcrop with attractive crystal stones waiting to be excavated." And further in the article "you will see people on the side of the cliff at the foot of the mountain. These people are busy digging for crystals. To get the crystals is not an easy job as it takes about three weeks just to dig out one stone. These crystals are brought to their respective stalls to be cleaned and then put on display for sale.
When you walk outside of the recreational area you will spot a long row of shops selling various collections of crystals. You can see for yourself the many kinds, shapes and sizes of crystals. It is said that Mount Keriang is one of the famous spots that people visit just to buy crystals. The prices vary according to the sizes.
Quite a number of tourists buy crystals for decoration purposes and they believe the stones are symbols of luck and fortune. "
On April 9 2008 Bernama reported that at Gunung Keriang "Development of the crystal cave costing RM5 million [US$1.5m] includes decorative lighting and a lift to transport tourists to have a closer look at crystal rocks."
The trade in speleothems is also becoming a problem. It is happening in many countries in Asia, where cave stals are removed and sold. It ranges from small pieces being sold by a local on the road outside the cave, to international export of huge pieces. I have written about this in Speleology magazine (2006, No 8). And this problem has been discussed at international caving conferences.
crystal from a quarry |
Crystals for sale at Kong Fook Ngam temple |
Stal for sale in KL |
NO PROTECTION for ROCK PAINTINGS
Several caves have prehistoric rock paintings. Those in Painted Cave are protected under the Niah National Park. But none of the drawings in Peninsular Malaysia are protected at all, either legally or physically. Paintings are defaced by natural process, vandalism and development. The famous paintings at Gua Tambun in Perak are a prime example. The Neolithic paintings are about 2000 years old. They were discovered in 1959 and feature some 25-30 haemitite drawings of animals. The paintings are actually on a rock cliff face and are exposed to the elements - bright sun, monsoon rain, wind and humidity. Although the authorities have been talking for at least 20 years, nothing has been done to protect these drawings.
The Negrito drawings at Gua Badak, in Lenggong, Perak are also in danger. Nearby quarrying has damaged the rock face, and modern day graffiti covers some of the drawings. There are other Perak caves with paintings, also unprotected.
The rock paintings in Kelantan are slightly protected simply because there is no easy access to the caves. The same applies to caves in other states such as Pahang and Kedah.
Gua Tambun, the sign is new........... |
......... but the steps are overgrown |
duyong at Gua Tambun |
FLORAL COLLECTIONS
The collection of plant specimens is another problem. Certain plants are indigenous to limestone, some are endangered, and none are protected under Malaysian law. Endangered plants include begonia, monophyllaea and cycads.
For several years the collection of cycads from hills in Kedah has been reported in the press. Cycads are a very primitive group of vascular plants which have survived more than 200 million years on earth. Now they are in decline and only a relict population exists. A plant can live 2500 years. They resemble palms and can grow 18m high. The fact that they are being indiscriminately collected means there is a good chance their propulation could be wiped out. In 2004, a TV documentary (Majalah 3) happily showed a man who had 35 plants valued at RM60,000 (US$16,000) at his home. He thinks nothing of cutting down trees estimated to be more than 800 years old, and will go to great lengths to obtain the cycads, even from difficult mountain tops. In 2006 the press featured a man who daily climbs a limestone hill and can collect 4-5 plants in one day. Again in June 2007 an article in the Star highlighted how cycad species are under threat, in many areas. Villagers can make up to RM1500 (US$435) per plant.
cycad in Perak |
Cycads high on a cliff (photo by Jan S) |
WATER REMOVAL
Although not yet a threat in Malaysia, it is a possible one in the future. Excessive removal of groundwater for agriculture, mining, industrial or residential use is a big threat. In 2006 in Perak the authorities announced they want to consider mining underground water, and have identified an area to produce about one billion gallons of water daily, to supply water to the Klang Valley. Then in Aug 2007 they announced "Malaysia has found a huge underground water cave the size of Singapore". Presumably this is in fact just aquifers, and in a non karst area of south Perak around Batang Padang.
Kota Gelanggi (Muzium Negara) |
Gua Tempurung |
Gua Tempurung |
GRAFFITI
Not exactly a threat, but it is an eyesore. And in some places, modern graffiti has been written over "historical" graffiti. Of course there is no clear cut distinction between modern and historial graffiti. The above 3 examples could possibly be considered historical - Muzium Negara (National Museum) expedition, and 2 from Gua Tempurung, the cars being drawn by the Communists during the Emergency War (1950's). The following 2 from Dark Cave also show Chinese and Communist writings.
Dark Cave - White Snake Cave written in Chinese |
Dark Cave communist party slogan |
Dark Cave - history or graffiti? |
Modern graffiti
Dark Cave |
Dark Cave 1995 |
Gua Musang |
Kota Gelanggi |
cave in Pahang |
date of birth or date of graffiti?
© Liz Price 2007 |
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