By Azian Aziz
SHAH ALAM, Dec 3 — The state government will utilise geo-tourism as one of its local tourism focuses next year, involving the Gombak- Hulu Langat Geopark (GHL Geopark).
Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Azrul Shah Mohamad said this is part of the local tourism campaign, ‘Splendid Selangor, Take Me Anywhere’, which aims to attract international visitors to the state.
Through geo-tourism, tourists have the opportunity to visit a geo-site area and enjoy the national geological heritage, as well as the culture and way of life of the surrounding local geo-community.
As the official state tourism promotion agency, he said Tourism Selangor remains active in promoting the GHL Geopark project via various initiatives.
“This includes the collaboration at the World Travel Market in London, the United Kingdom, with the British Geology Survey and National Geographic Traveler UK, alongside continuous social media announcements, and public announcements during the Jelajah Selangor Penyayang roadshows.
“The recognition of a geopark in Selangor is an achievement for Malaysia, especially the state government and local authorities, and contributes to the preservation of eco-sustainability and the sustainable management of areas with geo-site value,” Azrul Shah said in a statement yesterday.
He added it is also in line with the National Development Agenda’s goals and the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Meanwhile, Energy and Natural Resources Ministry (KeTSA) secretary-general Datuk Rosli Isa said the ministry is confident that close cooperation can ensure the geopark is well-managed.
He welcomes cooperation in areas of geological importance for the purposes of scientific research and education, as well as the economic generation for the local population, and sustainable development.
On November 16, KeTSA announced the GHL Geopark and Stong Geopark areas have been officially recognised as national geo-parks under the Geopark Development Programme.
The decision was made during the National Geopark Committee meeting on November 14, making it the seventh and eighth geo-park recognition by the ministry, following Kinta Valley and Lenggong Geopark in Perak, Jerai Geopark in Kedah, Kinabalu Geopark in Sabah, Labuan Geopark, and the Sarawak Delta Geopark.
Encompassing 1,129.55 square kilometres, the GHL Geopark is rich in geosites of varying levels, in addition to Southeast Asia’s longest quartzite, mountainous landscape and the formation of several inland basins.
