LEMBAH KINTA A NATIONAL GEOPARK

Move will boost ecotourism and geotourism in 1,952sq-km area

SULTAN of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah yesterday graced the declaration of the 1,952-sq-km Lembah Kinta as a National Geopark geology site.

It was held at Gunung Lang recreational park here.

With the declaration, Lembah Kinta, which spans Kinta and Kampar districts, as well as the municipalities of Ipoh, Batu Gajah and Kampar, would be part of a sustainable development poject with importance given to environmental interests.

It will boost eco-tourism and geo-tourism as well as education and research.

Gracing the event were Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, Raja Muda Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, Raja Dihilir Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris Shah and Raja Puan Muda, Tuanku Soraya Sultan Abdul Halim.

Present were Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar and |secretary-general Datuk Dr Tan Yew Chong, State Secretary Zainal Azman Abu Seman and state Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee chairman Tan Kar Hing.

Tan said the Lembah Kinta Geopark was placed under the jurisdiction of Perak State Park Corporation to ensure the conservation and rehabilitation of a national heritage.

He said Lembah Kinta was known for its flora and fauna, limestone hills with rich history in mining, as well as diversed and scenic natural landscapes, making it a suitable site to introduce geo-tourism packages to attract visitors.

He said the state government had established Perak Tourism Action Council, which was responsible for protecting and rehabilitating tourist sites.

Xavier said the Federal Government had allocated RM10.7 million in the 11th Malaysia Plan for the Geopark Development Potential Assessment project for preservation.

He said RM276,000 of the amount was channelled to the Perak Mineral and Geoscience Department last year and this year for studies and research on the site’s geology.