Move to boost tourism at geoparks in Kinta district

IPOH: Perak is planning to organise more tourism-based activities at geoparks in the Kinta district, says Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi.

The state tourism committee chairman said the activities would include bird watching, hiking and a virtual run.

“We will focus on the geoparks located in the Kinta district first.

“Together with the NGOs, we will also look into having geopark vouchers, eco-tourism activities and more, ” she said after attending a Facebook live session held by People of Remarkable Talents (PORT) yesterday.

Established in 2011, PORT is a unit under the state-owned Kampung Karyawan Amanjaya Sdn Bhd and aims to make the arts more accessible to the public.

Nolee Ashilin said the state was also looking into adding activities at several tourist attractions located under the geoparks.

“Tourism spots such as Kellie’s Castle, Tin Dredge TT5 and Herb Gardens are being upgraded to allow more tourism activities to be conducted there.

“We have started these projects but they have been suspended due to the ongoing movement control order, ” she said.

On a separate matter, Nolee Ashilin said several local universities and NGOs would be working on conducting research on the habitat and species at Gunung Kanthan.

“The quarry activities in Gunung Kanthan have been taken over by a company since May 2019. The previous developer had agreed to conserve a certain area at Gua Kanthan as it is home to an endemic spider species called the Liphistius kanthan.

“The state has been informed that the current developer is working together with Universiti Malaya, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Monash University and Tropical Rainforest Conservation to conduct research at the conserved area, ” she said.

On May 27, at least seven NGOs urged the state government to fully commit to preserving two geoparks in the Kinta Valley, saying that they are facing the risk of destruction if not accorded any immediate attention and preservation efforts.

This came after the state government extended the land lease to a cement company last year.

Nolee Ashilin said the developer had yet to start any quarry activities.