GUIDELINES TO DEVELOP AND MANAGE
CAVES FOR TOURISM
RK.T. Ko Speleologist and Cave Management Consultant
International presentation on Cave Management at the
MCN-World Bank Meeting On Limestone Biodiversity
Bangkok 25-27 January 1999
SUMMARY (1)
CAVES HAVE MANY DIFFERENT AND IMPORTANT
VALUES. EACH OF THEM MUST BE IDENTIFIED, BEFORE
UTU..IZING CAVES FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES. TOURISTIC
POTENTIAL IS BUT ONE OF THOSE VALUES.
(2)
IT IS MANDATORY TO - AS SOON AS POSSIBLE-
OFFICIALLY OPEN A CAVE TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE,
AND MANAGE IT PROFESSIONALLY, WHEN THEY ARE
ALREADY BEING VISITED BY PEOPLE FOR
RECREATION.
(3)
CAVE TOURISM AT FIRST SIGHT SEEMS TO
CONTRADICT CAVE CONSERVATION. THIS SHOULD
NOT BE THE CASE, SINCE CONSERVATION IS NOT THE
OPPOSITE OF DEVELOPMENT. IT EMPHASIZED THAT
CONSERVATION INCLUDES BOTH PROJECTION AND
THE RATIONAL, SUSTAINABLE USE OF NATURAL
RESOURCES. SO IT IS A MA'ITER OF PROFESSIONAL
MANAGEMENT OF THESE NATURAL RESOURCES.
(4)
CAVE MANAGEMENT FOR TOURISTIC PURPOSES
MEANS MANAGEMENT OF THE WHOLE CAVE
ENVIRONMENT. IT IS NOT LIMITED TO MANAGEMENT
OF THE UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENT ONLY. CAVE
MANAGERS SHOULD CONTSTANTL Y KEEP IN MIND
THE EXISTENCE OF AN INTIMATE SURFACE -
SUBSURFACE CONNECTION.
(5)
ANY MEASURES TAKEN TO DEVELOP CAVES FOR
TOURISM, SHOULD BE BASED ON A BALANCED
CONSUMER'S-ORIENTED AND RESOURCE
ORIENTED APPROACH.
DEVELOPERS AND
MANAGERS SHOULD CONTSTANTLY LOOK FOR
COMPROMISING STEPS. HOW TO SATISFY VISITOR'S
EXPECTATIONS AND AT THE SAME TIME LIMIT
ALTERATION OF THE UNIQUE CAVE ENVIRONMENT.
STICK TO THE MOTTO: SAFE THE VISITORS BUT ALSO
SAFE THE CAVES.
(6)
THE STRATEGY TO SATISFY VISITORS AND
CONCURRENTLY PROTECT THE DELICATE CAVE
ENVIRONMENT, CAN ONLY BE WORKED OUT, IF THESE
MANAGEMENT PINCIPLES ARE STRICLY ADHERED TO:
1. IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF CAVE VISIT: ORDINARY
VISIT (COMMERCIAL CAVES) OR SPECIAL INTEREST
CAVE EXPLORATION (WILD CAVES)
2. DETERMINE THE DYNAMIC CARRYING CAPACITY
OF EACH CAVE.
3. PLAN AND IMPLEMENT THE EXTERNAL AND
INTERNAL VISITOR'S CIRCULATION PATTERN. EXIT
AND ENTRANCE OF COMMERCIAL CAVES SHOULD
BE SEPARATED. A ONE WAY TRAFFIC IS THE MOST
SUITABLE TO PROTECT THE INTERIOR OF A CAVE.
IT IS ALLOWED TO COMPROMISINGLY BUILD A
MAN-MADE HORIWNTAL OR VERTICAL TUNNEL TO
EMERGE FROM THE CAVE AS LONG AS IT IS VERY
CAREFULLY PLANNED AND EXCECUTED.
4. PERIODIZATION OF A CAVE VISIT IS MANDATORY.
A FIXED TIME SCHEDULE OF A CAVE VISIT SHOULD
BE ADHERED TO.
5. VISITORS OF COMMERCIAL CAVES SHOULD AT ALL
TIMES BE GUIDED BY WELL TRAINED AND WELL
INFORMED [PROFESSIONAL] GUIDES.
6. WILD CAVE EXPLORERS MUST POSSESS HIGH
ETHICAL STANDARDS. THEY MUST OBTAIN
SPECIAL PERMITS. THEIR EQUIPMENT AND SKILLS
MUST BE CHECKED BY A CAVE GUARD. THEY
OUGHT TO BE SKILLFUL IN PERFORMING SELF
RESCUE. NO SOLO CAVING IS ALLOWED.
7. CAVE GUIDES SHOULD UNDERGO A PERIODICAL
HEALTH CHECK-UP, THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT
SPELEOLOGY
AND
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
UPGRADED
PERIODICALLY. TO
PREVENT
BOREDOM, A SCHEME OF DUTY ROTATION FROM
ONE CAVE TO THE OTHER SHOULD BE DRAWN.
8. SEMI- ANNUAL OR ANNUAL EVALUATION OF CAVE
MANAGEMENT AND CAVE DETERIORATION MUST
BE UNDERTAKEN. VISITOR'S WRITIEN COMMENTS
ARE A VALUABLE SOURCE TO TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT.
9. ONLY PART OF AN EXTENDED CAVE OR CAVE
SYSTEM MAY BE VISITED BY ORDINARY TOURISTS.
CLOSED TO COMMERCIAL CAVE VISITORS ARE:
(1) CAVE PASSAGES OCCUPIED BY MANY CAVE
BATS, SWIFLETS AND OTHER CAVE DWELLING
ANIMALS.
(2) PASSAGES WHICH CANNOT BE NEGOTIATED
THROUGH EASY WALKING IN AN UPRIGHT
POSSITION.
(3) CAVES CONTAINING FOUL AIR SOTHAT IT IS
HARD TO BREATH.
(4) CAVE PASSAGES WITH MANY, VERY FRAGILE
SPELEOTHEMS, UNLESS PROTECTED BY
SPECIAL DEVICES TO PREVENT THESE CAVE
DECORATION TO BE TOUCHED BY VISITORS.
(5) PASSAGES PRONE TO BE FLOODED DURING A
RAINSTORM.
(6) UNDERGROUND STREAMWAYS. UNOBTRUSIVE,
NON-EYE CATCHING BRIDGES MUST BE BUILT
TO PREVENT VISITORS ENGENERING CAVE
RIVERS.
(7) DIFFICULT OR DANGEROUS PARTS OF THE
CAVE: SLIPPERY OR MUDDY PASSAGES,
UNPROTECTED PATH ALONGSIDE STEEP
UNDERGROUND CANYONS, BOULDER STREWN
CAVE SECTIONS.
(8) VERTICAL CAVE SECTIONS WHICH CAN ONLY
BE NEGOTIATED WITH SPECIAL GEARS AND
SKILLS.
(9) SECTIONS OF CAVE WITH UNSTABLE WALLS,
CEILING AND FLOORS.
(10) UNSURVEYED SECTIONS OF CAVES.
10. INSTALLATION OF CAVE ILLUMINATION NEEDS
SPECIAL SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT. THE ETERNALLY
DARK UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENT WILL BE
DISTURBED BY LIGHTS. ALGAE MAY GROW AND
DESTROY THE DELICATE SUBTERRANEAN
MICROECOSYSTEM.
CAVE ANIMALS
ARE
DISTURBED BY LIGHT SOURCES INSIDE A CAVB.
SPECIAL LAMPS AND PLACING [TO ENHANCE THE
BEAUTY OF SPELEOTHEMS, CAVE RIVERS,
WATERFALLS, CASCADES, UNIQUE PASSAGES AND
CEILINGS]. AND PERIODICITY OF ILLUMINATION
SHOULD BE PLANNED IN ADVANCE AND
WHENEVER NEEDED, CORRECTED. NO DEVICES
(CABLES, REFLECTORS, LAMP BULBS] MAY BE
EXPOSED. VISITORS MAY ONLY SEE THE LIGHT
BEAM OR GLOW, BUT NOT THE LIGHT SOURCE. NO
COLOURED LIGHTS ARE PERMITTED.
11. NO DEVICES PRODUCING NOISE MAY BE
INSTALLED IN THE CAVE INTERIOR ONLY FOR
EMERGENCY, A TWO WAY COMMUNICATION
SYSTEM CAN BE INSTALLED AT STRATEGIC
PLACES.
12. VISITORS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BRING INTO THE
CAVE FOOD AND DRINKS. NOR ARE THEY
ALLOWED TO RAISE THEIR VOICE UNNECESSARILY.
THEY MUST, AT ALL TIMES, MOVE THEMSELVES ON
ESTABLISHED PATHS AND STAIRWAYS.
13. PATHS AND STAIRWAYS MUST BE PLANNED IN
ADVANCE, BUILT IN ACCORDANCE TO THE
VISITORS CIRCULATION PATTERN, IN AND OUTSIDE
THE CAVE.
14. NO DEVICES MAY BE INSTALLED INSIDE THE CAVE,
WICH ARE NOT NECESSARY, LIKE STATUES, LAMP
POSTS, TOILETS ETC. A PLACE TO REST AND TO
LISTEN TO THE INFORMATIVE LECTURE OF THE
CAVE GUIDE MAY BE BUILT, INSIDE A LONG CAVE.
[SEMICIRCULAR ROW OF UNCOLOURED BENCHES
MADE OF CONCRETE]
15. NO SMOKING IS ALLOWED IN THE CAVE INTERIOR
16. IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO TAKE AWAY OR
DESTROY ANY CAVE DECORATION, LIKE CAVE
PEARLS, STATACTITES, STALAGMITES ETC SINCE
THESE SPELEOTHEMS NEED HUNDREDS OR
THOUSANDS OF YEARS TO DEVELOP, AND ONCE
DESTROYED, WILL ALWAYS BE DESTROYED.
17. ZONATION OF THE EXTERIOR CAVE ENVIRONMENT
IS OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE IN MANAGEMENT.
IDENTIFY THE
(1) PUBLIC ZONE, WITH SUBZONES FOR: PARKING,
EATING-DRINKING FACILITIES, SOUVENIR
SHOPS, PUBLIC TOILET, TICKETING, RESTING OR
WAITING, PRAYING, PLAY-GROUND FOR
CHILDREN etc.
(2) BUFFER ZONE, TO DEMARCATE THE PUBLIC
ZONE FROM THE TRANSITION ZONE. IN THE
BUFFER ZONE CAN BE BUILT THE VISITOR'S
CENTER WITH DISPLAY MATERIAL, A SMALL
MUSEUM, CAVE MAPS AND MAQUETTEI/MODEL,
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION OF CAVE
EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES, etc. WAITING ROOM
FOR CAVE GUIDES ARE LOCATED HERE. A ROW
OF TOILETS CAN BE FOUND HERE.
(3) TRANSITION ZONE, WHERE VISITORS ARE
GIVEN A CHANCE TO ADAPT THEMSELVES
FROM THE NOISY OUTSIDE WORLD AND THE
ETERNALLY DARK, SILENT UNDERGROUND
ENVORONMENT. THIS IS THE ACCESS TOWARDS
THE CAVE ENTRANCE. A FLIGHT OF STAIRS AND
HARDENED ACCESS ROAD ARE THE ONLY MAN-
MADE STRUCTURES ALLOWED TO BE BUILT.
THIS ZONE IS ONLY FOR VISITORS, GUIDES AND
MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.. NO VENDORS
ALLOWED.
(4) MAIN VISITOR'S ZONE. THE TARGET OF THE
CAVE VISIT. WITH SUBZONES: CAVE ENTRANCE,
INTENSIVE ZONE WHERE VISITORS CIRCULATE,
RESTRICTED SUBZONE, WHERE ONLY PERSONS
WTH SPECIAL PERMITS OR WITH SPECIAL
PURPOSE MAY ENTER (e.g. PASSAGES WITH
CAVE ANIMALS ONLY OPEN TO CAVE
SCIENTISTS WITH PERMITS) AND CLOSED
SUBZONE: DANGEROUS PASSAGES.
(7)
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT. EACH
COUNTRY MUST APPLY ITS LAW TO PROTECT THE
CAVES
AND
THEIR
ENVIRONMENT
FROM
DESTRUCTION AND POLLUTION.
(8)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSES IS BY LAW
REQUIRED BEFORE A CAVE IS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC.
SPECIAL EMPHASIS IS PUT ON: 1) FACILITIES FOR
WASTE DISPOSAL (RETAURANTS, TOILETS, FRUIT
STALLS) WHICH MAY POLLUTE THE ENDOKARST
ENVIRONMENT. 2) HYGIENE AND AVAILABILITY OF
UNCONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER PERIODICAL
MONITORING OF THE WATER QUALITY IS OF UTMOST
IMPORTANCE.
(9)
SECURITY FOR VISITORS MUST BE ASSESSED.
(10)
LOCAL INHABITANTS MUST BENEFIT FROM THIS CAVE
TOURISM ACTIVITY. MULTIPLIER EFFECT MUST BE
ENCOURAGED. INFLUX OF HIGHLY COMPETITIVE,
EXPERIENCED AND WEALTHY NON-RESIDENTS MUST
BE ANTICIPATED AND COPED WITH IN ORDER NOT TO
SQUEEZE THE
LOCAL
NON-EXPERIENCED
ENTERPRENEURS OUT OF THEIR JOBS.
(11)
CAVE VISIT BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS CONSIDERED
MORE ATIRACTIVE, IF IT IS PART OF A PACKAGE TOUR,
COMPRISING FOR INSTANCE A VISIT TO A BEACH, A
LAKE, A WATERFALL etc. IN THE IMMEDIATE
SURROUNDINGS.
(12)
SALES PROMOTION TO CAVE SITES, OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC, IS VERY IMPORTANT.
BROCHURES, FREQUENT PUBLICATION IN DIVERSE
MASS MEDIA AND INVOLVEMENT OF A NUMBER OF
TRAVEL AGENTS ARE CRUCIAL
(13)
EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF A CAVE VISIT MUST NEVER
BE UNDERVALUED. THE FIRST CAVE VISIT MUST GIVE
A LASTING IMPRESSION TO A NOVICE. WELL-TRAINED
GUIDES AND PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED
COMMERCIAL CAVES ARE UNMISTAKABLY A PERFECT
MEDIA TO INSTILL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
AND
CONSERVATION
MINDEDNESS. GUIDED
COMMERCIAL CAVE VISITS BY SMALL GROUPS OF
STUDENTS, ACCOMPANIED BY TEACHERS AND
PARENTS, ARE ACKNOWLEDGED TO BE VERY
EDUCATIVE.
(14)
THE ROLE OF AN EXPERIENCED SPELEOLOGIST IN
CONSULTATION FOR CAVE DEVELOPMENT IS OF
CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE. AFTER INITIAL SURVEYS,
MAPPING AND IDENTIFICATION OF DIVERSE VALUES
OF A PARTICULAR CAVE. HE IS EXPECTED TO
CONTACT SCIENTISTS IN RELATED FIELDS AND MAKE
A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM TO CONTINUE THE
SURVEY ON A HOLISTIC BASE. THIS TEAM WILL MAKE
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT OF THE EXO- AND
ENDOKARST PHENOMENA, THE SOCIOECONOMIC AND
SOCIO-CULTURAL ASPECTS, AND ASSESS THE
POTENTIAL VALUE OF MARKETING THIS COMMERCIAL
CAVE. THIS TEAM WILL ALSO PERFORM THE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSES.
(15)
WILD CAVES ARE MORE EASILY DESTROYED BY
UNSCRUPULOUS
CAVE
EXPLORERS THAN
PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED COMMERCIAL CAVES.
MANY UNEXPLORED WILD CAVES CAN ALSO BE
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. IT IS THEREFORE A
RATIONAL POLICY, THAT CAVE EXPEDITIONS AND
CAVE EXPLORERS SHOULD OBTAIN SPECIAL PERMITS
FROM RELEVANT OFFICIALS.
MEMBERS OF A WILD CAVE SURVEY TEAM MUST
DELIVER
(1) THEIR CURRICULUM VITAE.
(2) PROPOSAL OF THE CAVE SURVEY
(3) RECOMMENDATION OF THEIR LOCAL OR
NATIONAL CAVING ASSOCIATION AND IN CASE OF
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH,
(4) OF THEIR UNIVERSITY AND
(5) NATIONAL SCIENCE INSTITUTE. THEY MUST
STRICTLY FOLLOW THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
IMPOSED ON THEM.
(6) THEY MUST SIGN A WAIVER OF LIABILITY FORM
AND ON ARRIVAL AT THE CAVE SITE, THEY HAVE
(7) TO REPORT TO THE LOCAL POUCE AND VULAGE
CHIEF.
(8) IT IS A MORAL DUTY, THAT CAVE EXPLORERS
SEND THEIR COMPLEJE REPORTS TO THE PERSONS
WHO, OR THE INSITUTES THAT GIVE THEM THE
RECOMMENDATION AND PERMITS, AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
CAVE MANAGEMENT FOR TOURISTIC PURPOSES
MEANS MANAGEMENT OF THE WHOLE CAVE
ENVIRONMENT. IT IS NOT LIMITED TO MANAGEMENT
OF THE UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENT ONLY. CAVE
MANAGERS SHOULD CONTSTANTL Y KEEP IN MIND
THE EXISTENCE OF AN INTIMATE SURFACE -
SUBSURFACE CONNECTION.
(5)
ANY MEASURES TAKEN TO DEVELOP CAVES FOR
TOURISM, SHOULD BE BASED ON A BALANCED
CONSUMER'S-ORIENTED AND RESOURCE
ORIENTED APPROACH.
DEVELOPERS AND
MANAGERS SHOULD CONTSTANTLY LOOK FOR
COMPROMISING STEPS. HOW TO SATISFY VISITOR'S
EXPECTATIONS AND AT THE SAME TIME LIMIT
ALTERATION OF THE UNIQUE CAVE ENVIRONMENT.
STICK TO THE MOTTO: SAFE THE VISITORS BUT ALSO
SAFE THE CAVES.
(6)
THE STRATEGY TO SATISFY VISITORS AND
CONCURRENTLY PROTECT THE DELICATE CAVE
ENVIRONMENT, CAN ONLY BE WORKED OUT, IF THESE
MANAGEMENT PINCIPLES ARE STRICLY ADHERED TO:
1. IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF CAVE VISIT: ORDINARY
VISIT (COMMERCIAL CAVES) OR SPECIAL INTEREST
CAVE EXPLORATION (WILD CAVES)
2. DETERMINE THE DYNAMIC CARRYING CAPACITY
OF EACH CAVE.
3. PLAN AND IMPLEMENT THE EXTERNAL AND
INTERNAL VISITOR'S CIRCULATION PATTERN. EXIT
AND ENTRANCE OF COMMERCIAL CAVES SHOULD
BE SEPARATED. A ONE WAY TRAFFIC IS THE MOST
SUITABLE TO PROTECT THE INTERIOR OF A CAVE.
IT IS ALLOWED TO COMPROMISINGLY BUILD A
MAN-MADE HORIWNTAL OR VERTICAL TUNNEL TO
EMERGE FROM THE CAVE AS LONG AS IT IS VERY
CAREFULLY PLANNED AND EXCECUTED.
4. PERIODIZATION OF A CAVE VISIT IS MANDATORY.
A FIXED TIME SCHEDULE OF A CAVE VISIT SHOULD
BE ADHERED TO.
5. VISITORS OF COMMERCIAL CAVES SHOULD AT ALL
TIMES BE GUIDED BY WELL TRAINED AND WELL
INFORMED [PROFESSIONAL] GUIDES.
6. WILD CAVE EXPLORERS MUST POSSESS HIGH
ETHICAL STANDARDS. THEY MUST OBTAIN
SPECIAL PERMITS. THEIR EQUIPMENT AND SKILLS
MUST BE CHECKED BY A CAVE GUARD. THEY
OUGHT TO BE SKILLFUL IN PERFORMING SELF
RESCUE. NO SOLO CAVING IS ALLOWED.
7. CAVE GUIDES SHOULD UNDERGO A PERIODICAL
HEALTH CHECK-UP, THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT
SPELEOLOGY
AND
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
UPGRADED
PERIODICALLY. TO
PREVENT
BOREDOM, A SCHEME OF DUTY ROTATION FROM
ONE CAVE TO THE OTHER SHOULD BE DRAWN.
8. SEMI- ANNUAL OR ANNUAL EVALUATION OF CAVE
MANAGEMENT AND CAVE DETERIORATION MUST
BE UNDERTAKEN. VISITOR'S WRITIEN COMMENTS
ARE A VALUABLE SOURCE TO TAKE INTO
ACCOUNT.
9. ONLY PART OF AN EXTENDED CAVE OR CAVE
SYSTEM MAY BE VISITED BY ORDINARY TOURISTS.
CLOSED TO COMMERCIAL CAVE VISITORS ARE:
(1) CAVE PASSAGES OCCUPIED BY MANY CAVE
BATS, SWIFLETS AND OTHER CAVE DWELLING
ANIMALS.
(2) PASSAGES WHICH CANNOT BE NEGOTIATED
THROUGH EASY WALKING IN AN UPRIGHT
POSSITION.
(3) CAVES CONTAINING FOUL AIR SOTHAT IT IS
HARD TO BREATH.
(4) CAVE PASSAGES WITH MANY, VERY FRAGILE
SPELEOTHEMS, UNLESS PROTECTED BY
SPECIAL DEVICES TO PREVENT THESE CAVE
DECORATION TO BE TOUCHED BY VISITORS.
(5) PASSAGES PRONE TO BE FLOODED DURING A
RAINSTORM.
(6) UNDERGROUND STREAMWAYS. UNOBTRUSIVE,
NON-EYE CATCHING BRIDGES MUST BE BUILT
TO PREVENT VISITORS ENGENERING CAVE
RIVERS.
(7) DIFFICULT OR DANGEROUS PARTS OF THE
CAVE: SLIPPERY OR MUDDY PASSAGES,
UNPROTECTED PATH ALONGSIDE STEEP
UNDERGROUND CANYONS, BOULDER STREWN
CAVE SECTIONS.
(8) VERTICAL CAVE SECTIONS WHICH CAN ONLY
BE NEGOTIATED WITH SPECIAL GEARS AND
SKILLS.
(9) SECTIONS OF CAVE WITH UNSTABLE WALLS,
CEILING AND FLOORS.
(10) UNSURVEYED SECTIONS OF CAVES.
10. INSTALLATION OF CAVE ILLUMINATION NEEDS
SPECIAL SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT. THE ETERNALLY
DARK UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENT WILL BE
DISTURBED BY LIGHTS. ALGAE MAY GROW AND
DESTROY THE DELICATE SUBTERRANEAN
MICROECOSYSTEM.
CAVE ANIMALS
ARE
DISTURBED BY LIGHT SOURCES INSIDE A CAVB.
SPECIAL LAMPS AND PLACING [TO ENHANCE THE
BEAUTY OF SPELEOTHEMS, CAVE RIVERS,
WATERFALLS, CASCADES, UNIQUE PASSAGES AND
CEILINGS]. AND PERIODICITY OF ILLUMINATION
SHOULD BE PLANNED IN ADVANCE AND
WHENEVER NEEDED, CORRECTED. NO DEVICES
(CABLES, REFLECTORS, LAMP BULBS] MAY BE
EXPOSED. VISITORS MAY ONLY SEE THE LIGHT
BEAM OR GLOW, BUT NOT THE LIGHT SOURCE. NO
COLOURED LIGHTS ARE PERMITTED.
11. NO DEVICES PRODUCING NOISE MAY BE
INSTALLED IN THE CAVE INTERIOR ONLY FOR
EMERGENCY, A TWO WAY COMMUNICATION
SYSTEM CAN BE INSTALLED AT STRATEGIC
PLACES.
12. VISITORS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BRING INTO THE
CAVE FOOD AND DRINKS. NOR ARE THEY
ALLOWED TO RAISE THEIR VOICE UNNECESSARILY.
THEY MUST, AT ALL TIMES, MOVE THEMSELVES ON
ESTABLISHED PATHS AND STAIRWAYS.
13. PATHS AND STAIRWAYS MUST BE PLANNED IN
ADVANCE, BUILT IN ACCORDANCE TO THE
VISITORS CIRCULATION PATTERN, IN AND OUTSIDE
THE CAVE.
14. NO DEVICES MAY BE INSTALLED INSIDE THE CAVE,
WICH ARE NOT NECESSARY, LIKE STATUES, LAMP
POSTS, TOILETS ETC. A PLACE TO REST AND TO
LISTEN TO THE INFORMATIVE LECTURE OF THE
CAVE GUIDE MAY BE BUILT, INSIDE A LONG CAVE.
[SEMICIRCULAR ROW OF UNCOLOURED BENCHES
MADE OF CONCRETE]
15. NO SMOKING IS ALLOWED IN THE CAVE INTERIOR
16. IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO TAKE AWAY OR
DESTROY ANY CAVE DECORATION, LIKE CAVE
PEARLS, STATACTITES, STALAGMITES ETC SINCE
THESE SPELEOTHEMS NEED HUNDREDS OR
THOUSANDS OF YEARS TO DEVELOP, AND ONCE
DESTROYED, WILL ALWAYS BE DESTROYED.
17. ZONATION OF THE EXTERIOR CAVE ENVIRONMENT
IS OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE IN MANAGEMENT.
IDENTIFY THE
(1) PUBLIC ZONE, WITH SUBZONES FOR: PARKING,
EATING-DRINKING FACILITIES, SOUVENIR
SHOPS, PUBLIC TOILET, TICKETING, RESTING OR
WAITING, PRAYING, PLAY-GROUND FOR
CHILDREN etc.
(2) BUFFER ZONE, TO DEMARCATE THE PUBLIC
ZONE FROM THE TRANSITION ZONE. IN THE
BUFFER ZONE CAN BE BUILT THE VISITOR'S
CENTER WITH DISPLAY MATERIAL, A SMALL
MUSEUM, CAVE MAPS AND MAQUETTEI/MODEL,
VIDEO DOCUMENTATION OF CAVE
EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES, etc. WAITING ROOM
FOR CAVE GUIDES ARE LOCATED HERE. A ROW
OF TOILETS CAN BE FOUND HERE.
(3) TRANSITION ZONE, WHERE VISITORS ARE
GIVEN A CHANCE TO ADAPT THEMSELVES
FROM THE NOISY OUTSIDE WORLD AND THE
ETERNALLY DARK, SILENT UNDERGROUND
ENVORONMENT. THIS IS THE ACCESS TOWARDS
THE CAVE ENTRANCE. A FLIGHT OF STAIRS AND
HARDENED ACCESS ROAD ARE THE ONLY MAN-
MADE STRUCTURES ALLOWED TO BE BUILT.
THIS ZONE IS ONLY FOR VISITORS, GUIDES AND
MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.. NO VENDORS
ALLOWED.
(4) MAIN VISITOR'S ZONE. THE TARGET OF THE
CAVE VISIT. WITH SUBZONES: CAVE ENTRANCE,
INTENSIVE ZONE WHERE VISITORS CIRCULATE,
RESTRICTED SUBZONE, WHERE ONLY PERSONS
WTH SPECIAL PERMITS OR WITH SPECIAL
PURPOSE MAY ENTER (e.g. PASSAGES WITH
CAVE ANIMALS ONLY OPEN TO CAVE
SCIENTISTS WITH PERMITS) AND CLOSED
SUBZONE: DANGEROUS PASSAGES.
(7)
LAW ENFORCEMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT. EACH
COUNTRY MUST APPLY ITS LAW TO PROTECT THE
CAVES
AND
THEIR
ENVIRONMENT
FROM
DESTRUCTION AND POLLUTION.
(8)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSES IS BY LAW
REQUIRED BEFORE A CAVE IS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC.
SPECIAL EMPHASIS IS PUT ON: 1) FACILITIES FOR
WASTE DISPOSAL (RETAURANTS, TOILETS, FRUIT
STALLS) WHICH MAY POLLUTE THE ENDOKARST
ENVIRONMENT. 2) HYGIENE AND AVAILABILITY OF
UNCONTAMINATED DRINKING WATER PERIODICAL
MONITORING OF THE WATER QUALITY IS OF UTMOST
IMPORTANCE.
(9)
SECURITY FOR VISITORS MUST BE ASSESSED.
(10)
LOCAL INHABITANTS MUST BENEFIT FROM THIS CAVE
TOURISM ACTIVITY. MULTIPLIER EFFECT MUST BE
ENCOURAGED. INFLUX OF HIGHLY COMPETITIVE,
EXPERIENCED AND WEALTHY NON-RESIDENTS MUST
BE ANTICIPATED AND COPED WITH IN ORDER NOT TO
SQUEEZE THE
LOCAL
NON-EXPERIENCED
ENTERPRENEURS OUT OF THEIR JOBS.
(11)
CAVE VISIT BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS CONSIDERED
MORE ATIRACTIVE, IF IT IS PART OF A PACKAGE TOUR,
COMPRISING FOR INSTANCE A VISIT TO A BEACH, A
LAKE, A WATERFALL etc. IN THE IMMEDIATE
SURROUNDINGS.
(12)
SALES PROMOTION TO CAVE SITES, OPEN TO THE
PUBLIC, IS VERY IMPORTANT.
BROCHURES, FREQUENT PUBLICATION IN DIVERSE
MASS MEDIA AND INVOLVEMENT OF A NUMBER OF
TRAVEL AGENTS ARE CRUCIAL
(13)
EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF A CAVE VISIT MUST NEVER
BE UNDERVALUED. THE FIRST CAVE VISIT MUST GIVE
A LASTING IMPRESSION TO A NOVICE. WELL-TRAINED
GUIDES AND PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED
COMMERCIAL CAVES ARE UNMISTAKABLY A PERFECT
MEDIA TO INSTILL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
AND
CONSERVATION
MINDEDNESS. GUIDED
COMMERCIAL CAVE VISITS BY SMALL GROUPS OF
STUDENTS, ACCOMPANIED BY TEACHERS AND
PARENTS, ARE ACKNOWLEDGED TO BE VERY
EDUCATIVE.
(14)
THE ROLE OF AN EXPERIENCED SPELEOLOGIST IN
CONSULTATION FOR CAVE DEVELOPMENT IS OF
CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE. AFTER INITIAL SURVEYS,
MAPPING AND IDENTIFICATION OF DIVERSE VALUES
OF A PARTICULAR CAVE. HE IS EXPECTED TO
CONTACT SCIENTISTS IN RELATED FIELDS AND MAKE
A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM TO CONTINUE THE
SURVEY ON A HOLISTIC BASE. THIS TEAM WILL MAKE
A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT OF THE EXO- AND
ENDOKARST PHENOMENA, THE SOCIOECONOMIC AND
SOCIO-CULTURAL ASPECTS, AND ASSESS THE
POTENTIAL VALUE OF MARKETING THIS COMMERCIAL
CAVE. THIS TEAM WILL ALSO PERFORM THE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSES.
(15)
WILD CAVES ARE MORE EASILY DESTROYED BY
UNSCRUPULOUS
CAVE
EXPLORERS THAN
PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED COMMERCIAL CAVES.
MANY UNEXPLORED WILD CAVES CAN ALSO BE
POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. IT IS THEREFORE A
RATIONAL POLICY, THAT CAVE EXPEDITIONS AND
CAVE EXPLORERS SHOULD OBTAIN SPECIAL PERMITS
FROM RELEVANT OFFICIALS.
MEMBERS OF A WILD CAVE SURVEY TEAM MUST
DELIVER
(1) THEIR CURRICULUM VITAE.
(2) PROPOSAL OF THE CAVE SURVEY
(3) RECOMMENDATION OF THEIR LOCAL OR
NATIONAL CAVING ASSOCIATION AND IN CASE OF
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH,
(4) OF THEIR UNIVERSITY AND
(5) NATIONAL SCIENCE INSTITUTE. THEY MUST
STRICTLY FOLLOW THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
IMPOSED ON THEM.
(6) THEY MUST SIGN A WAIVER OF LIABILITY FORM
AND ON ARRIVAL AT THE CAVE SITE, THEY HAVE
(7) TO REPORT TO THE LOCAL POUCE AND VULAGE
CHIEF.
(8) IT IS A MORAL DUTY, THAT CAVE EXPLORERS
SEND THEIR COMPLEJE REPORTS TO THE PERSONS
WHO, OR THE INSITUTES THAT GIVE THEM THE
RECOMMENDATION AND PERMITS, AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE.
