To the bat cave: a conservation option for Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia.

The Third Malaysia Plan (1976-1980) earmarked Batu Caves as a nature monument, listing it as part of its proposed national parks, nature reserves, nature monuments and wildlife sanctuaries. The listing is pegged on the need to put into effect conservation measures grounded on the ecosystems approach. The policy direction then was to ensure that the diversity of ecosystems are effectively conserved, to complement existing national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Batu Caves was earmarked as a potential area for recreation and tourism. Various literature related to Batu Caves have shown that the area is unique and rich in diversity - both biodiversity and geodiversity, which also makes it susceptible to threats and risks. Taking into account the need to put into place conservation measures from ecosystem as well as geosystem approaches, there is a need to revisit the conservation goal and strategy, as well as review the existing legislative regime that is applicable to Batu Caves. However, given that Batu Caves requires specific measures due to its unique features and richness, the option of badging it as a nature reserve will need to be given serious consideration. This paper looks at one option of establishing such a nature reserve, leveraging on the provisions of the National Land Code 1965. It also recommends the establishment of a specific authority, similar to the Selangor State Water Authority, to manage nature reserves with Batu Caves being one of the many areas that can be listed, thus forming a network of reserves that will be managed by the State government directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]