Langkawi National Geopark: achieving global excellence
in sustainable regional development
By Professor Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan
Vice-Chancellor/President
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
On 1 June 2007, Langkawi, a group of 99
Islands in the northern waters of Malaysia
was accorded National Geopark status by
UNESCO. It is Southeast Asia’s first and
the 52nd in the UNESCO Global Network
of National Geoparks. The concept of
geoparks is in line with the 1991 Digne
Declaration of the Rights of the Memory
of the Earth that called on national and
international authorities to protect the
unique and inseparable cultural and
geological heritage of Earth.
Langkawi has been studied by researchers
from University Kebangsaan Malaysia
(UKM), or The National University of Malaysia since 1975, initially from the
aspect of its geological formation. The status of UNESCO national geopark
is the outcome of painstaking research, expeditions and the dedication
of research teams from UKM’s Institute of Environment and Sustainable
Development (LESTARI), which successfully collaborated with partners
from the Malaysian Geological Heritage Group, Langkawi Development
Authority (LADA), Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia, Mineral
and Geoscience Department, and National Park and Wildlife Department
to promote the concept of a geoforest park as early as the mid-1990s.
Research in the biodiversity of the flora and fauna in the permanent
forests as well as the rich cultural heritage was intensified in the 1990s
when Lestari was established. Over the years, the researchers compiled
extensive knowledge of Langkawi, describing the beauty and charm of
its islands of various shapes and sizes, pristine forests and mangroves
flanking the waterways, spectacular mountain ranges, sandy beaches
and shoreline beautifully carved with black slate and gravel of all hues,
enriched and made more dramatic by the historical and cultural heritage
such as the legends of Mahsuri, Machinchang Range, Lake of the Pregnant
Maiden and other popular tales.
In terms of geoheritage, the Langkawi Geopark has one of the oldest
rock formations in Malaysia, tracing back to the early Cambrian period, or
about 550 million years ago. Three strategic sites are chosen as geopark conservation sites - the Manchinchang Cambrian, Kilim Karst and Dayang
Bunting Marble Geoforest Parks, referring to the specific rock formation
of these sites respectively. One of the most successful geotourism routes
is the Kilim Trail, where visitors could enjoy an educational tour of the
formation of the Kilim Karst mangrove and various recreational activities
while admiring the beautiful scenery.
From the ancient rocks called the Machinchang Formation, a complex
geological process over the ages gave rise to other rock formations of
Peninsular Malaysia. From the wide spectrum of sedimentary, igneous
and metamorphic rocks with enormous minerals, fossils and geological
structures, forests took root, and creatures thrived.
The colourful landscape provides the sustaining foundation for its
contrasting ecosystems. These geoforests comprise a geological and
biological treasure trove unrivalled in terms of intrinsic aesthetic, cultural,
scientific and recreational values. These natural hanging gardens manifest
an amazing diversity: tree-carpeted hills with soaring eagles (helang) that
some legends say gave the island its name, bat-shrouded caves, crevices
with gnarled roots, lakes the colour of chalcedony, dramatically dropping
cliffs, razor-sharp pinnacles and arches through which thunderous waves
crash. It is little wonder that this little paradise has emerged as a premier
tourist destination of Peninsular Malaysia, receiving 2,303,157 tourists in
2008 and 2,461,455 in 2009.
A geopark is not just about rocks and protection of nationally and
regionally significant geoheritage resources, such as protected forests,
recreational forests, archaeological sites, state and national parks as well
as culture. It should be able to support and improve the socio-economic
status of the local population as well as the region, particularly through
ecotourism, which engages the community in its present and future plans.
In this spirit, the Langkawi Geopark promotes a holistic nature conservation
that hinges on the interdependency between geological elements such as
minerals, rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna, and human inhabitants. Through
this approach, the geopark can sustain Langkawi as a premier tourism
destination of the world.
Realising that the sustainability of Langkawi Geopark rests on public
awareness of the preciousness of conservation of these God-given treasures,
the researchers have published numerous books, the most recent being
Geoforest Parks: The Hanging Gardens of Langkawi (2009). The simple and
picturesque presentation of scientific information is designed to create
love and respect for our natural heritage and to raise awareness of the
importance of conserving ancient geology, unique plants and ecosystems.
It is a journey through Earth’s history.
The researchers have also creatively utilised information and
communications technology to translate the information in the book
onto a website at www.MyKTours.com, where it can be downloaded into a
mobile device and used as a tour guide.
UKM’s Lestari and researchers have been accorded international
recognition. Lestari is the secretariat for the Asia-Pacific Global Geopark
Network (APGGN). In April 2010, UKM hosts the International Global
Geopark Conference. Professor Ibrahim Komoo is one of the seven executive
members of the Global Geopark Bureau and three UKM researchers are on
the expert panel for geopark evaluation.
The most important impact of the Langkawi Geopark is in the economic
opportunities it offers to the people, creating new innovative industries
for them to venture into and benefit from, without their future being
jeopardised by the nature-resource conservation. The success of the Kilim
Fishermen Economic Association is one such example. The association has
been able to provide alternative employment for many of its members,
from being traditional fishermen to tour boat operators, resulting in a net
increase in income, giving them a better quality of life. Many have also
become entrepreneurs, breeding fish for restaurants patronised by tourists.
The influx of tourists has given a boost to the demand for cottage products
such as handicraft, providing a lucrative form of income for the womenfolk.
The Women Association of Kuala Triang has enjoyed such benefits from
their produce. Whilst it is true that many Langkawians are employed in the
service industries and could be construed as negative by many, most have
managed to turn themselves into successful entrepreneurs, managing their
business as boat operators, raising fish for their own eateries, marketing
local produce to national and regional markets, and other allied business
ventures. One of the most visible outcomes of entrepreneurship is the
setting up of duty-free outlets catering to both national and regional
tourists. The Ismail Group of companies is one such company.
The Malaysian heritage conservation initiative started almost at the same
time as its European counterpart. Hence it was a lesson in creativity and innovation to find the right framework to couch the geoheritage research
framework. What started as a challenge presented itself as an opportunity.
Among the earlier concepts were the Conservation Concepts of Ibrahim
Komoo and friends (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2003), augmented by that
of Shaharuddin Mohamed Ismail et al (2004). Collectively these stressed
on identification, characterisation, geodiversity classification, evaluation
and ranking. These are then utilised for the best conservation method of
each site. The heritage value of biodiversity may be measured by mineral
diversity (Che Aziz Ali, 2004), fossil diversity (Mohd Shafeea Leman, 2004) and
structural diversity (Tajul Auar Jamaluddin, 2004). Two more destinations
were suggested, geoforest parks and landscapes of scenic beauty. UKM
researchers also urged the participation of agencies such as museums and
galleries in educating the public on preserving geo-artifacts.
The Langkawi Geopark has spawned great interest and many activities
related to national heritage sites. More sites have been developed
throughout the country. An interactive database on Malaysian heritage
resources called MyGEORes is being developed. The UKM researchers are
working to prepare new national geoparks with special focus given to
Kinabalu, Sarawak Delta, Kinta Valley, Kenyir and Johor Islands. Whilst many
geological monuments have been identified in Langkawi, many new ones
are also being identified in the rest of Peninsular Malaysia, such as Klang
Gate Quartz Ridge, Bako, Pulau Kapas, Batu Layar and Batu Lawi.
The work of UKM researchers and their partners in the Langkawi Geopark
has been a wonderful story of passion with a happy ending. It has turned
out to be a model of successful nature-and-heritage conservation, socioeconomic
empowerment, entrepreneurship for the locals, theory building
and constructing research frameworks for the academics. Langkawi
geopark illustrates the value of smart partnerships, and how universities
can successfully engage these partners as well as the community to
contribute to the development of a region. Through teaching, research and
service, UKM not only trains human capital and generates scientific and
technological innovations, but also serves as an active agent in business
innovation, socio-cultural promotion and environmental development.
Although such activities are more difficult to measure compared to
generating inventions, publications and patents for wealth creation, it is
imperative to continue to value them for the positive impact that they have
on local communities. We need to become better in devising incentives,
indicators and methods for assessing and monitoring the impact that
universities have on a region’s economy and social well-being.
The contribution of UKM to the Langkawi Geopark is a way of achieving
global excellence in sustainable regional development.
|
