Use of Karst Caves in Malang Regency and the Possible Challenges to Their Existence

The karst landscape is in the southern part of Malang Regency. In this area, separate phenomena can be seen on the surface (eksokarst) and subsurface (endokarst). The eksokarst landscape is indicated by an arid/dry area; meanwhile the endokarst landscape is indicated by the presence of caves. This study aimed to understand the use of the karst caves by the people in Malang Regency, the existing potential inside the cave passages, and the future challenges to their utilization. The study used field observation along the cave sites. Based on the data obtained, the caves in the Malang area are used to obtain clean water from the subterranean rivers, as well as for religious purposes, and as cultural heritage sites for educative tourism. Caves also play an important role in carbon gas absorption. However, many caves have not been optimally utilized by the Malang people. The possible challenges which will be faced in developing cave tourism are as follows: visitor activities in sensitive areas that lead to cave damage; a lack of awareness about the existence of certain high-potential caves, which require skilled researchers to identify; and cave tourist attraction development that raises environmental concerns. Keywords: karst, caves, utilization, existenc