{
  "id": 7053215,
  "title": "Lost in plain sight: Ipoh's vanishing karsts and caves",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/lost-in-plain-sight-ipohs-vanishing-karsts-and-caves",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-13T03:11:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/09/1531673/lost-plain-sight-ipohs-vanishing-karsts-and-caves"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ipoh, Malaysia is home to a vast limestone karst landscape encompassing the Kinta and Kampar districts, covering approximately 1,952 square kilometres. This unique natural environment features numerous caves, rocky hills, and underground drainage systems. The International Day of Caves and Karst was inaugurated recently, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of these areas, which provide clean water sources, habitats for endemic life, and act as carbon sinks.\n\nChing Boon Tat, an activist and Kinta Valley Watch member, emphasizes the significance of preserving the karst geography in the Kinta Valley, stating that any damage to the geological structure would destroy its historical value and natural biodiversity. The area's proximity to urban centers and easy accessibility make it particularly vulnerable.\n\nMohd Zairis Abdul Rani, a cave guide, highlights the critical role of cave preservation as it contains ancient fossils, historical paintings, and serves as a habitat for endemic flora and fauna. These limestone caves are not merely tourist attractions but also function as natural laboratories for scientific research. If not adequately protected, these treasures could become extinct, leaving future generations only with photographs of their existence.",
  "summary": "IPOH: Karst areas are one of the wonders of the landscape formed from the natural environment of limestone rocks, creating unique landscapes such as rocky hills, caves and underground drainage.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ipoh, Malaysia houses 1,952 square km limestone karst landscape",
    "International Day of Caves and Karst aims to raise awareness",
    "Cave preservation crucial for ancient fossils and endemic life"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}