HRH Sultan Of Perak Proclaims Lenggong As A Geopark: 9 March 2024

Their Royal Highnesses visiting the Lenggong Geopark Gallery.

LENGGONG, 9 March 2024 – HRH Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and HRH Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim graced the Proclamation Ceremony of Lenggong Geopark and officiated the Lenggong Geopark Gallery at Dataran Kota Tampan here.

Also gracing the event were HH Raja Muda Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, HH Raja Puan Besar Perak Raja Nazhatul Shima Idris Shah and HH Raja DiHilir Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Idris Shah.

Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad and wife Datin Seri Aezer Zubin, Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri Maharaja Gen. Dato' Seri DiRaja Tan Sri (Dr.) Mohd. Zahidi Zainuddin (Rtd) and wife Toh Puan Datin Seri Diraja Puan Sri Hajah Rasiah Md. Nor, State Assembly Speaker Dato' Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid and wife Datin Aznee Abu Samah, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and State Secretary Dato' Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim and wife Datin Che Fauziah Ahmad.

State Legal Adviser Dato' Azmir Shah Zainal Abidin, State Financial Officer Dato' Mohd Zaki Mahyudin, State Exco Member, Perak Territorial Chiefs, Hulu Perak District Officer cum Lenggong Geopark Manager Zairasyahli Zakaria and heads of state and federal departments were also present at the event.

Dato' Seri Saarani said the recognition of Lenggong as the 2nd National Geopark for Perak after the Kinta Valley Geopark on 16 December 2021, was very significant due of its unique features being recognised internationally. 

He said the recognition comes with the responsibility for all to continue preserving the geological heritage, natural resources, and cultural and historical heritage stored within the Lenggong Geopark. 

"The ceremony today not only celebrates the recognition of Lenggong Geopark to the world, but also creates a network of national and international geoparks so that more domestic and foreign visitors have the opportunity to explore the cultural activities, heritage, food and tourism packages offered. 

"Also, it opens up a space to educate the people of Perak and Malaysia in general to appreciate, value and witness the wonders of the world via the geoparks as a geographical region with international class sites," he said. 

He added that the Lenggong Valley was the first area inhabited by humans in Southeast Asia over 1.83 million years ago, and was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. 

"Covering an area of ​​2,068 square km, Lenggong Geopark lists 27 geosite products, 8 biosites, 9 geoarchaeological sites, and 18 cultural and historical sites that can be developed as tourism and research products. 

"To date, the geopark has 30 local geoguides, a Lenggong Geopark Gallery, Community Information Centre, Lenggong Geopark Cooperative, Lenggong Geoguide Association, Friends of Lenggong Geopark and even a geoschool module for primary schools in Lenggong," he said. 

At the event, Their Royal Highness also visited the exhibition booths related to geoparks set up by state representatives from Kenyir Geopark, Langkawi Geopark, Kinabalu Geopark, Sarawak Delta Geopark and others. 

The Lenggong Geopark Gallery was officially opened on 16 December last year to provide internationally accredited geological border information and show the existence and development of early human civilization in Lenggong.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.