Tourism in caves should not be at the cost of destroying the inhabitants of the cave
According to the social reporter of Moj news agency, besides being one of the favorite tourist destinations in the world, caves are also an important habitat for many species of wildlife. Due to the importance of these sensitive ecosystems, which have biological, geological, archaeological, cultural and nature tourism value, and in order to promote the necessity of protecting them, the second day of Mehr month has been chosen as “National Clean Cave Day”.
In this regard, Jamshid Mohammadi Mehr, a speleologist and naturalist, told the reporter of Moj: Caves were the first human settlements throughout the history of mankind, and in addition, throughout the history of life, they have continuously hosted an amazing variety of living beings on the planet, and their natural value is due to the formation of structures. Geological diversity over millions of years is enormous.
He continued: Although cave dwellers are valuable and important, their relationship with the outside of the cave and the services they provide to the ecosystem is much greater.
This nature tourist stated: Caves are considered the most fragile ecosystems due to their constant conditions. The constant temperature throughout the year and the absence of light make caves one of the few places with completely isolated conditions and without noticeable temperature changes, and the inhabitants inside them are not exempt from these sensitivities.
Referring to the unique architecture of the caves, Mohammadi Mehr explained: If only the entrance to the caves was a little wider, more air circulation would occur in it, which would reduce the humidity inside the cave and dry its air. They don’t tolerate temperature fluctuations, these changes, even if insignificant, could endanger the life of these unique creatures.
He emphasized: Many cave creatures have only been seen in one environment, and if they become extinct in a cave system, another community of them will not form in other caves.
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Referring to some points in visiting the caves, this nature tourist said: the noise of the visitors can disturb the peace of the cave dwellers, and these are the reasons that prove that turning the caves into a tourist area will reduce animal species. The formation of cave stones takes hundreds and sometimes thousands of years, and the slightest contact with these cave stones and their mud may stop the formation of caves from that place.
Mohammadi Mehr continued: “Also, engraving names and logos causes the destruction and cessation of cave creation, and the presence of more than the capacity in caves causes changes in the temperature of the cave and damage to this ecosystem.” Cave stones belong to the environment inside the cave, and in the environment outside the cave, they change color and lose their transparency and beauty.
Criticizing the tourists leaving garbage in the caves, he said: throwing even the smallest amount of garbage in the caves can have many dangers for the cave’s ecosystem and disturb its ecological cycle.
Emphasizing that we are not against tourism in caves, but we believe that this tourism should be accompanied by compliance with the requirements, Mohammadi Mehr noted: Tourists should not damage the rocks or move them outside the cave. A person who has a sense of responsibility towards nature should not leave any garbage in the cave, avoid making noise in the caves and walk on the marked paths in the caves.