KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 — The Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark and Stong Geopark have been certified as National Geoparks under the Geopark Development Programme.
The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry (KeTSA) said that the certification was made on November 14 during the National Geopark Committee Meeting No 2/2022.
The acknowledgement is another achievement by the country, especially state governments and local authorities, in preserving the environment and sustainable management of areas with significant geological value.
“The ministry is confident that the close partnership can ensure the Geoparks are managed well and welcomes any form of cooperation that has a geological importance for the purpose of scientific research, education, local economic generation and sustainable development,” the ministry said.
The effort was in line with the National Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 under the United Nations (UN).
Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark is 1,129.55 square kilometres (sq km) in size and filled with various geological wonders including the longest quartz formation in Southeast Asia, mountainous landscape and a number of inland basins.
Stong Geopark is 2,131.99 sq km in size has a wide range of geological diversity (25 geosites), biological diversity ( seven biosites) and local cultures (16 cultural sites) and artifacts dating back 1,000 to 5,000 years have been discovered there.
The conferment of the National Geopark status is the seventh and eighth after the Kinta Valley and Lenggong Geopark in Perak; Jerai Geopark in Kedah; Kinabalu Geopark in Sabah; Labuan Geopark in Labuan; and Sarawak Delta Geopark in Sarawak.
— Bernama
