Tehran, Iran – Javad Nezamdoust, member of the Iranian Caves and Speleology Association, has issued a stark warning about the dire situation facing Iran’s caves. He states that these natural treasures are in grave danger, primarily from mining activities and secondarily from being repurposed into tourist attractions.
Nezamdoust points to specific examples of endangered caves like Nakhjir, Katale Khor, and Karaftu, which have damaged due to unregulated visits and lack of oversight. Of particular concern is Jahanam Cave in South Khorasan, once celebrated globally for its unique characteristics, now lost forever due to mining operations that have also led to the sale of its stones as decorations in neighboring countries.
Speaking to ILNA news agency, Nezamdoust, who also serves as a non-governmental member of the national caves working group, underscores the global importance of Iran’s caves. He emphasizes that despite their exceptional qualities, many of these caves remain unprotected and rarely make it onto Iran’s national heritage list due to bureaucratic challenges and insufficient conservation efforts.
How many caves have been identified in Iran, and what is the breakdown between ancient caves and those designated for tourism?
Iran is currently home to nearly 2,300 discovered caves registered in official records. However, out of this number, fewer than 300 to 400 caves have been scientifically identified with detailed maps and comprehensive knowledge in biology, geology, and paleontology. Approximately 400 of these caves are well-documented, with some having undergone biological sampling and studies.
Despite Iran’s vast historical and geographical context, many of these caves are ancient and have served as human habitation sites for thousands of years. Notably, caves such as Karftu in Kurdistan, Quri Qala Cave, and Qala Kurd Cave contain rich historical and prehistorical records, potentially dating back over 450,000 years and possibly revealing evidence of Neanderthal habitation.
The technical committee of Iran’s speleology working group has identified significant archaeological findings, including Andean bear teeth from the Ice Age era discovered in Lei Ben Cave in Savad Kouh and the Pol Sefid area. This discovery suggests that these caves may have hosted human activity for more than 450,000 years, underscoring their profound historical significance.
However, concerning tourist caves, out of the 2,300 caves discovered, nearly 13 have been developed into tourist attractions by government, private entities, and local cooperatives. These caves are managed and supervised by local authorities and have been leased to private operators. However, among these 13 caves, only 2 or 3 generate revenue sufficient to cover their operational costs. Other tourist caves face challenges such as degradation due to increased visitation, installation of lighting systems, and escalating maintenance expenses, placing financial strain on government and project managers. Many struggle to meet payroll obligations. Notable tourist caves include Ali Sadr Cave in Hamedan, Katale Khor Cave in Zanjan, Nakhjir Cave in Central Province, as well as Karaftu Caves, Shapur Cave, Dah Sheikh, Quri Qala, and Sangshekanan in Fars, and Darband Cave in Semnan.
What are the significant impacts affecting Iran’s caves at present?
Iran’s caves face serious threats today, primarily from unregulated mining activities that often ignore their protected status. Authorities responsible for issuing mining permits, like the Geology and Forestry departments and private operators, frequently overlook consulting provincial or national caving experts. This oversight leads to significant damage to caves.
Illegal excavations driven by treasure hunting further degrade cave environments. Unregulated and off-season visits disrupt critical cave ecosystems, particularly affecting bat habitats. Excessive waste dumping compounds these issues, worsening environmental degradation.
Additionally, premature designation of caves as tourist sites without proper planning and oversight undermines conservation efforts. Addressing these threats requires better coordination among governmental bodies, mining operators, and environmental organizations to ensure sustainable management and preservation of Iran’s caves.
What are Iran’s remarkable caves in terms of geological significance and unique characteristics?
When discussing exceptional and internationally recognized caves, it’s important for cave explorers, tourism managers, and officials to avoid labeling Iranian caves as the deepest, largest, or most intimidating without international validation. Our speleological research should obey global standards to ensure accurate comparisons with caves worldwide. Sometimes, due to limited geological knowledge, caves are erroneously attributed with ages based on nearby rocks, such as stating a cave is 70 million years old when its geological lifespan may vary.
One of Iran’s caves with global recognition is the “Qeshm Salt Cave,” formerly the world’s longest salt cave and now ranked second after the discovery of the “Malcham Salt Cave.” Despite its quality, this cave has not yet received global registration and remains within Qeshm International Geopark. Another notable cave is Dosar Cave in Yazd, known for its extensive underground area of 78,000 square meters, rich limestone formations, and potential for global recognition due to its vast chamber size. Additionally, the Shahi Cave (Peru Vertical Cave) in Kermanshah stands out for its considerable depth, making it the world’s fourth-deepest vertical cave, as documented in global rankings.
Is there any cave registered on a global scale?
Regarding UNESCO World Heritage List registration for caves, none of Iran’s caves have achieved global recognition. Only two or three of these remarkable caves are nationally registered, including the “Peru” cave in Kermanshah, which boasts a depth of 752 meters. Several other caves in Iran are listed as national monuments, but as of now, none have been globally registered.
Which caves in Iran face threats, and why?
Almost all caves in Iran face significant risks, especially those developed for tourism, which are particularly vulnerable. These caves often suffer from unsustainable development practices driven solely by economic interests, disregarding global standards. Over 60-70% of Iran’s tourist caves have disappeared or are at risk of extinction. For example, Ali Sadr Cave, once pristine, has lost its natural integrity in accessible areas due to declining underground water levels, despite efforts to protect it. Nakhjir Cave, Katale Khor Cave, and Karaftu Cave have also suffered irreversible damage from unregulated tourism. Additionally, lesser-known caves like Hell Cave in South Khorasan have been destroyed by mining activities, despite efforts by speleologists to preserve them.
What sets apart active and dormant caves in Iran, and which caves are considered dormant with minimal prospects for restoration?
Living caves are actively shaped by ongoing geological processes influenced by rainfall and the surrounding hydrological systems. These caves feature dripping formations and active mineral deposits due to continuous water infiltration into limestone formations.
In contrast, dead caves have lost their natural processes, often due to human interference such as passage enlargement for tourism or mining activities. This alteration disrupts the cave’s humidity levels, leading to dry conditions and halting mineral deposition and formations.
As for the potential recovery of dead caves, similar to land losing fertility after prolonged cultivation, caves also face irreversible changes once their natural processes are disrupted. However, there have been instances where caves have shown signs of recovery during periods when human visitation was limited, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reduced disturbance allowed humidity levels to stabilize and caves to slowly recover, although this process is gradual and not immediately noticeable within a short period like two years.
The speleology working group of the country, in collaboration with the Cave and Caving Association of Iran, developed the initial cave classification. This classification was subsequently ratified and regulations were established for categorizing caves across the provinces. Currently, provincial caves are undergoing classification to implement a tiered system aimed at conservation. Grade Eshel caves, classified as the first grade, are strictly prohibited for entry to minimize disturbance and preserve their integrity. Second grade caves permit limited access for specific purposes, while third and fourth grade caves are designated as open for public tourism, ensuring they are accessible while maintaining their protection.
What are the most polluted caves in Iran?
Identifying the most polluted caves in Iran is a complex task, given the vast number of caves discovered, estimated at around 2,000. However, two caves stand out due to pollution concerns: Daniyal Cave in Mazandaran province and Burnik Cave in Tehran province. Danial Cave, known for its water features, suffers from contamination in its aquifers and underground water tables. Experts emphasize the critical need to protect ancient aquifers from pollution, as they can potentially affect local water sources like springs. Bornik Cave, on the other hand, faces persistent issues of littering and vandalism by irresponsible tourists, which have damaged its delicate ecosystem and historic walls. Raising awareness through media and among cave enthusiasts is crucial to promote responsible cave exploration. Adhering to principles such as leaving only photographs, minimizing impact on cave fauna, and preserving cave integrity can help mitigate further damage to these sensitive environments.
Should we remain concerned about waste entering Iran’s caves?
The issue of garbage and its impact on nature, whether found outside caves, on mountain slopes, or in rivers, poses a severe global crisis that has even reached sea waters. Solving this problem requires widespread cultural change. However, discarding waste in caves presents a unique challenge. Unlike in nature, where garbage may decompose due to sunlight and air exposure, caves provide isolation that preserves waste for years. This accumulation can breed harmful bacteria and pollutants that may affect cave ecosystems and potentially contaminate underground aquifers. Therefore, vigilance regarding waste disposal in caves remains crucial.
Have there been more instances of illegal treasure hunting in Iran’s caves?
Unauthorized excavations in caves have long been driven by the allure of discovering ancient treasures and valuable artifacts. With Iran’s rich history spanning millennia, certain caves have been targeted by treasure hunters seeking to unearth historical relics. This reckless pursuit often involves damaging caves with tools like shovels and picks, leading to the destruction of significant archaeological and scientific evidence.
Despite only a small percentage of caves holding historical value, more than half of Iran’s caves have been adversely affected by these activities. This widespread issue is evident in Mazandaran province, particularly in the Savad Kouh region, where ancient caves resembling horizontal or military towers have been plundered before proper protection measures could be implemented.
Efforts to protect these caves and their invaluable historical resources remain critical to preserving Iran’s cultural heritage and scientific knowledge for future generations.
