Gua Ikan / Fish Cave, Kelantan, Malaysia

GEOHERITAGE VALUES

Introduction

Gua Ikan located in Kampung Slow Pak Long, it’s about 95 km from Kuala Krai and just 7 km from Dabong. It's a 30 minute ride en route to Gua Musang on Federal Road 8 before you find the turn off to Dabong. From this junction, headed to Dabong about 40 km ahead, we will find the entrance to this attraction at left side. To find Gua Ikan, the exact location on the map based on GPS coordinates are 5°21'15.7"N 102°01'36.8"E. There are interesting caves in the hills of limestone which was laid down by tributary water. There is also a spacious, airy area for leisure.

1)      Aesthetic value

The uniqueness of this limestone cave that is said to be 150 million years old formed from the shells of marine life or calcium carbonate accumulated in shallow sea waters and water flow of the river which takes millions of years. As a result of the process, it looks so impressive and mystical and raises questions of its occurrence. When approaching the face of cave filled with fungi and floor cleaning dusty and looks shells is amazing at sight of the naked eye. Swirl smooth lines on the cave walls as well as the impact of water flow vents on the ceiling of the cave makes the limestone cave looks awesome. Limestone formations that formed on the walls, ceilings and floors with various forms are often making it as a name for any of the caves.

2)      Recreational value

Gua Ikan as a recreational park that the place that easy to access. There have basic amenities, easily visible landmarks and directions and good road route. It has signboards which adequate, clear and visible to be there. Then, it will be the good area for cave exploring, camping and cycling because there have camping ground that is spacious and flat and safe environment. Enjoy the beauty of flora and fauna is also interesting activities that can be done there. Public facilities such as car parking, prayer room for Muslims, public toilets, children's playground and campsite make the area suitable for a wide range of recreational camping. The caves are signposted and there is ample space for parking. Parking lot which is wide can house up to 30 vehicles including buses at any one time and easy to access. Such is no problem for people to do any activities at this location. This location which was always been attraction and preferred by many people especially civilians and may be tourisms.

3)      Scientific value

Gua Ikan is a cave of limestone. In this cave have the geological effects. This cave represents series of Gua Musang Formation. The age of the formation ranging from Permian to Quaternary and consists of metamorphosed limestone, bedded shale with argillaceous material and alluvium lithology. The karst morphology found here such stalactite, stalagmite and cave pillars. The limestone is light grey with presence of calcite mineral indicating the metamorphism process in the area. Gastropod fossil found in limestone represent marine deposition environment of Gua Ikan. Geological features an existing are very important to the study especially for those who want to do a thesis or any research involving the nature geological descriptions. Gua Ikan depositional environment interpreted as shallow marine environment and subdivided into reef front, back reef and lagoon. Besides, as a limestone cave habitat demands special adaptations from their inhabitants. Limestone specialists here include a trap-door spider, fruit bats, cave racer snakes, and for plants, begonias (Begonia foxworthyi, B. nurii), some species of balsam, and the one-leafed plant (Monophyllaea hirticalyx).

4)      Cultural value

Gua Ikan is the name of a cave complex at limestone hill about 5 km south of Dabong. Gua Ikan, which means Fish Cave, is thought to be so-named because a stream flows inside, which may be home to fish. In different theory, when approaching on highway 66 from the direction of Dabong we can see and noticed that the limestone hill structure containing the caves appeared to be fish-shaped. In other side, there have one story which that area is “harsh” like unseen of spirit or have a group of elves. Several of secret of nature treasure that kept such as civilization history and myth by local people. 

5)      Educational value

Complex of Gua Ikan is an icon eco-tourism in Dabong. Various methods can be used to introduce and educate the public about the geological knowledge to appreciate the site geology and also their characteristics. Among them is a way to introduce the foundations of geology which easy to understand. For example, explaining what type of rocks, how the process of its formation and the history of creation. Share knowledge on the importance of learning geosciences or geology. Therefore, becomes of interest to members of the public know this knowledge as additional knowledge can be shared and useful to protect and preserve the national heritage site is a natural treasure that should be preserved. It is also as a source of reference for young people in the future. In addition, the surrounding area is surrounded by the hills and numerous natural treasures are very enchanting.

Conclusion

Ongoing conservation efforts are essential to ensure the limestone cave is preserved and can be appreciated and understood by future generations. The future of this area depends on the concern of various parties. This site should be gazette as heritage site natural and managed monitoring of any party who understand its importance to the community. Finally it will be a natural heritage that could contribute to the development of local socio-economy. This diversity should be exploited and the challenges to touted to improve the local economy, thereby the value of income sources for Kelantan.