Pailin: The Department of Culture and Fine Arts of Pailin province is inspecting ancient caves for preservation and conservation purposes. The department says it is aiming to preserve the beauty of the ancient caves for long-term survival of the next generation. It is also targeted to conserve the natural resources as a way to boost the tourism sector in the province.

Pailin’s Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Fine Arts Ely Chhun says that the provincial governor, Ban Srey Mom has recently appointed him to lead a team to visit the caves under the newly established Commission for the Conservation of Natural Resources.

Their team has already inspected seven caves. The latest one was in Phnom Srong area in Srong Meanchey village, Stung Karch commune in Sala Krao district. They also previously inspected six caves such as Boeung Kngok Archaelogical Site, Preah Indra Louk Lout, Baysey Cave, Spong Cave, Koy Cave and Srong Cave.

Boeung Kngok Archaeological Site is an ancient burial ground that is more than 2,000 years old. He has also shared their findings in the examination of Phnom Srong cave. He says it has three tunnels in a row, resembling stone house, which is large and occurs naturally without any human processing.

Ely Chhun has confirmed that the caves can be turned into natural tourist destination and some could be turned into places of worship, prayer, burning incense and so on. He says their team is conducting further research to record and report to the provincial administration determining the boundaries and develop all of the above areas in the near future.