Information gallery on Kelam Cave in the works
KANGAR: The Kelam Cave, a unique tourist attraction in Perlis, will have a gallery that contains information on the limestone cave as well as its distinctive flora and fauna.
Originally a tin miners’ building that was restored through a government allocation last year, Perlis Forestry Department director Awang Shafie Awang Ahmad said it would be ready in October.
He said the gallery would have information on the cave’s history, rocks, unique plant species in Perlis and samples of preserved animal species that were suitable as educational material.
“Important information, such as the age and stone formations of the Kelam Cave, will be showcased so that visitors, especially students, can relate the cave to the existence of dinosaurs,” he said.
Awang Shafie said the department, which managed the cave, planned to organise activities such as exploration to attract young visitors.
The cave, located in Kaki Bukit, 33km from Kangar, was closed for over a year after the pedestrian walkway in the 370m long cave was damaged.
The repairs are almost completed, Awang Shafie said.
He said the department would organise a pre-launch of the gallery in September to keep the people updated on the cave’s developments.
On another matter, Awang Shafie said the department would apply for a Federal allocation to restore its information centre in Wang Kelian that had not been in operation over the past few years.
He said this was necessary for the promotion of the centre, which had chalets and accommodation for rent to the public.
“We will maintain these facilities but since a prohibition on the free movement of people between Wang Kelian (Malaysia) and Wang Prachan (Thailand) was imposed two years ago, the information centre has been inactive without visitors,” he added. — Bernama