The state of Selangor was recently recognized as the first recipient of the National Geopark for the Gombak Hulu Langat Geopark Project. This project involves 20 geosites in the districts of Gombak and Hulu Langat. The results of this recognition have been announced through a meeting of the National Geopark committee, chaired by Dato’ Haji Rosli bin Isa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA).
The Gombak-Hulu Langat (GHL) Geopark project covers 112,955 square kilometers with geological significance in addition to the longest quartz in Southeast Asia, mountainous landscapes, and the formation of several inland basins at the selected geosites. This National Geopark recognition is the seventh after 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.
According to Mr. Azrul Shah Mohamad, the Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Selangor, the official tourism promotion agency of the state of Selangor, Tourism Selangor remains active in promoting the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark Project through various efforts. Among them is the collaboration that has been held at the World Travel Market, London, with the British Geology Survey and National Geographic Traveler UK, continuous promotion on social media, as well as public sharing in several series of the Jelajah Selangor Penyayang.
The recognition of Geopark to the State of Selangor is an achievement for the country, especially the state government and local authorities, in preserving nature’s sustainability and managing areas with geological value. This is in line with the goals of the National Development Plan and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals under the United Nations (UN).
Y. Bhg. Dato’ Haji Rosli bin Isa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (KeTSA), in a statement said, the Ministry is confident that close cooperation can ensure the Geopark is well maintained and welcomes any form of cooperation in areas of geological importance for the purpose of scientific research, education, economical generation of the community surrounding and sustainable development.
Geo-tourism in geosites is one of the tourism segmentations focused in the state of Selangor for the year 2023, where tourists have the opportunity to visit a Geosite area to enjoy the national geological heritage, culture, and livelihood of the local geo-community. This is in line with the Selangor state tourism campaign, Splendid Selangor, Take Me Anywhere which focuses on the international market.