The Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark (GHLGP) is undergoing an assessment to determine whether it can retain its status as a national geopark.
The five-day assessment, from Oct 26 to 30, occurs once every four years.
The assessment panel is headed by Professor Emeritus Dr Felix Tongkul from Universiti Malaysia Sabah's Faculty of Science and Technology.
Also on the panel are Sarawak Forest Department geopark management unit head Madeline Anak George Pau and Sabah Minerals and Geoscience Department geophysics division head Fredolin Javino serving as observers.
Launching the assessment, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the panel would visit various sites in the geopark throughout the assessment period.
"I believe the panel can learn more about the geopark through the visit. I hope their work proceeds smoothly and they have the chance to also enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the nature that is the state's pride," he said during the assessment's launch ceremony at MPAJ Convention Centre here earlier on Tuesday (Oct 27) night.
He said the assessment was an opportunity for Selangor to evaluate the geopark's achievements over the years.
"It also allows us to determine the geopark's areas for improvement and strengthen its future development direction.
"I believe that every opinion and recommendation from the panel can become an important guideline for the geopark to continue developing into a progressive, inclusive and sustainable model.
"The assessment also mirrors the efforts by all parties to ensure that the geopark's management continues to improve, in line with national and international best practices," he added.
The assessment's criteria include geological heritage and biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism development, education and public awareness programmes, community engagement, park governance and strategic collaborations with groups and agencies since 2022.
Amirudin expressed his hope for the park to be recognised as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site in the future.
Spanning more than 112,000ha and containing 20 main geosites, GHLGP was recognised by Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry as the seventh national geopark in 2022.
Also present were Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim, the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Wira Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin and Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling.
