All geosites under the Kinta Valley Geopark will continue to be preserved and not be involved with any quarrying activities.
According to the Executive Councillor for Housing, Local Government and Tourism, Dato’ Nolee Ashilin Mohamed Radzi, Kinta Valley Geopark is one of the new and unique tourism products which involves an area of 1.952 hectares spanning Kinta District and Kampar District.
“From the size, 18 geosites were gazetted by the Department of Mineral and Geoscience (JMG) and they’ll continue to be preserved while they serve as tourist attractions in the state.
“Safety is one of the state government’s prioritised aspects in ensuring that tourists feel secure while visiting any of the geosite locations.
“The state government has also entrusted the Perak State Parks Corporation as a coordinator to execute and monitor the Kinta Valley Geopark programme,” she said in an online media session today (February 10).
The geosites under the Kinta Valley Geopark are:
- Gunung Panjang
- Tambun Cave
- Gunung Datok
- Gunung Rapat (parts of the hill are geosites such as Kek Lok Tong and Sam Poh Tong)
- Lata Ulu Chepor
- Gunung Kanthan
- Gunung Lang
- Ulu Kinta Forest Reserve
- Gunung Tasek
- Lubuk Timah Hot Spring
- Naga Mas Cave
- Sungai Chelik Waterfall
- Jeram Papan
- Gua Kandu
- Tempurung Cave
- Jeram Sungai Kampar
- Sungai Salu Waterfall
- Batu Berangkai Waterfall
- Gunung Korbu
Nolee debated a statement published by Sinar Harian in its Friday (February 5) till Sunday (February 7) edition which raised issues regarding quarrying activities at 30 limestone caves in Kinta Valley. However, all 30 are not listed as geosites under the Kinta Valley Geopark.
According to her, the state government prioritises quarry restoration aspects, hence the Perak State Mineral Policy was drafted with focus on restoration elements.
“It’s unlike other geoparks which are situated in natural environments, far from development zones. It’s a challenge for the state government to preserve nature-based products in the middle of town which is home to a multitude of economic activities.
“Planned projects will be executed as well as possible to prevent landscape pollution at geosite locations due to extreme developments,” Nolee stressed.
Meanwhile, director of JMG, Dato’ Ahmad Zukni mentioned that the state government and JMG will ensure that restoration works are immediately done by operators towards areas involved with quarrying activities.
“Despite continuation of the sector, it’s kept maintained and conserved to ensure sustainability and restoration of the natural ecosystem, even though it’s a long road to full recovery,” he expressed.
Rosli Mansor
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