Perak is about to have another new tourism attraction that will feature prominently, nationally and globally.
Tan Kar Hing, Executive Councillor for Tourism, Arts and Culture, said Kinta Valley is not only located within a mountainous region but is brimming with historical, cultural and natural artefacts.
“Kinta Valley is rich in history and culture. Therefore, its development must incorporate environmental conservation in order for it to be acknowledged as a national geopark.
“A total of 18 geosites have been identified. They are of natural, archaeological, cultural and historical significance. It has an area of almost 2000sq km.
The Kinta Valley Geopark covers two district and land offices (Kinta and Kampar). It is administered by three local authorities namely, Ipoh City Council, Batu Gajah District Council and Kampar District Council,” he explained.
The launch of the Kinta Valley Geopark proposed development plan was held in November 2014.
According to Tan Kar Hing, the promotion of the geopark, at national level, would be done in the near future in order to obtain the next-level recognition.
“We need two years at the national level, as a prerequisite for recognition from United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
If successful, our tourism sector will be more well-known throughout the world,” he stated.
Some of the popular state tourism products among the 24 geosites are Tempurung Cave, Gunung Lang Recreational Park and Tambun Cave.
