MalaysiaGIS.com

Penang, Fri. - The tourism value of Malaysia's geological-rich sites is being compiled via a national mapping system.

The exercise, being carried out by academicians and the Department of Minerals and GeoScience, is aimed at identifying the geo-tourism potential of locations nationwide.

The recognition of these sites will enable the group of 24 geologists involved in the project to determine if the locations are suitable for tourism, scientific or educational purposes, said an academician.

"Our research on geo-tourism in Malaysia began five years ago and we are looking at resources such as rock formation and landscape," Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Institute for Environment and Development director Prof Dr Ibrahim Komo told reporters.

The geo-tourism project, funded by the Federal Government aims to promote the country's mountains, cliffs, waterfalls and beaches.

Locations identified by the geological team so far include Mount Kinabalu's landscape and Langkawi where records can be traced back 550 million years.

Ibrahim said a proposal had also been submitted to the Selangor Government to gazette the Klang Gates Ridge as Malaysia's first geological monument. The 16km-long ridge is touted as the longest quartz-rich ridge in the world.

Ibrahim said more sites in the country would be proposed to the government for gazetting as protected areas.

In Penang, the Town and Country Planning Department has commissioned Ibrahim and his UKM team to identify areas of geotourism interest. "We have so far found Pulau Aman and Pulau Gedung as potential sites to promote this kind of tourism."