By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim
SHAH ALAM, March 13 — The recognition of the Gombak-Hulu Langat (GHL) Geopark as a national geopark strengthens the state government’s commitment to its environmental conservation efforts for the well-being of the people, says Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj.
The Sultan of Selangor said that the achievement would also further support efforts towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) under the United Nations and efforts in conversing the geological, cultural and biological heritage as Malaysia’s seventh national geopark.
He said the GHL Geopark project involves 20 geosites in Gombak and Hulu Langat and covers 112,955 kilometres squared with geological significance, featuring the longest quartz in Southeast Asia, mountainous landscapes and the formation of several inland basins.
“I would like to congratulate the state government for the recognition as the recipient of the first national geopark for the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark project.
“I sincerely hope that Selangor would become a sustainable and green state, in line with various development technologies that support environmental care,” he said in his royal address during the opening of the first meeting of the sixth term of the 14th Selangor Legislative Assembly sitting, here today.
Sultan Sharafuddin also said that it is no longer acceptable for people to take the deterioration of the environment and its impact on the flora and fauna as well as the well-being of the people for granted.
His Royal Highness said that the implementation of comprehensive, coordinated, and empowered environmental law enforcement efforts must continue.
“I want to assure the enforcement officers that they shouldn’t be afraid or give in to any threats when taking action against lawbreakers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sultan Sharafuddin added that environmental protection is tied closely to effective forest management using innovative technology.
The Selangor Ruler welcomed the tree-planting programme involving 26 million trees in Selangor from 2022 to 2026, which was launched by Raja Muda Selangor in conjunction with the International Forest Day Celebration at Bukit Broga Forest Reserve, Semenyih, on 24 September 2022.
