Conserving Geo-Diversity: The Importance of Valuing the Heritage Elements at Langkawi Geopark

Conserving Geo-Diversity: The Importance of Valuing the Heritage Elements at Langkawi Geopark

N.S.M. FAUZI A. MISNI 

Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Page: 
303-313
|
DOI: 
https://doi.org/10.2495/DNE-V12-N3-303-313
Received: 
N/A
| |
Accepted: 
N/A
| | Citation

OPEN ACCESS

Abstract: 

Geo-diversity is actually one of the priceless assets of national historical elements. Historical elements include nature, culture, monument, archaeological sites and others. The term ‘Geo-diversity’ encap-sulates the richness and the variety of the earth’s elements including materials, forms and processes, which naturally constitute and shape the earth and its historical background. Relevant materials such as minerals, rocks, fossils and water as well as other natural processes that include erosions and land-slides are intimately linked with biodiversity. However, as the urbanization process has grown further, rapid developmental growth has resulted in high risk towards diversity, including geo-diversity itself. For instance, an increasing demand for new development area, modern and fascinating facilities and other types of development have resulted in the overuse of both area and all those elements of natural resources that are less sustainable. Hence, this over-use will become a major concern that will eventu-ally have a potential negative impact or pose a problem to the environment, and to become worse, it will affect the conservation of nature and lastly will contribute to loss of geo-diversity. Thus, conserving geo-diversity has become a part of the core business of nature conservation. The effort and initiatives for protection and preservation, formulation of a management plan as well as improvement of public understanding and appreciation towards flora, fauna, geological and geomorphological features are important to address the problems. Therefore, for this related field of study, SWOT analysis will be carried out for evaluating the importance of geo-diversity as heritage elements of Langkawi Geopark. This paper aims to discuss and describe the current condition, importance and the existing geo-diversity elements of the Langkawi Geopark. The significance of this research is to evaluate the importance of geo-diversity around Langkawi Geopark and the Geopark’s contribution towards nature conservation while maintaining its historical value.

Keywords: 

geo-diversity, geopark, heritage, preservation.

  References

[1] Eder, F.W. & Patzak, M., Geoparks - geological attractions: a tool for public education, recreation and sustainable economic development. Episodes-Newsmagazine of the International Union of Geological Sciences, 27(3), pp. 162–164, 2004.

[2] Sapari, M.S., Shuib, A., Ramachandran, S. & Afandi, S.H.M. Visitors’ satisfaction towards servise and facilities in Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Langkawi. Aplied Eco-nomics and Business, 1(4), pp. 25–42, 2013.

[3] Azman, N., Halim, S.A., Liu, O.P., Saidin, S. & Komoo, I., Public education in heritage conservation for geopark community. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 7, pp. 504–511, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.10.068

[4] LADA. Geopark. 2014 November 24, from: http://www.lada.gov.my/v2/en/product/ geopark.html.

[5] ProGEO, Conserving our shared geoheritage - a protocol on geoconservation prin-ciples, sustainable site use, management, fieldwork, fossil and mineral collecting. 2011.

[6] Fauzi, N.S.M. & Misni, A., Geoheritage conservation: indicators affecting the condition and sustainability of Geopark – a conceptual review. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 222, pp. 676–684, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.05.224

[7] Architectureyp. SWOT Analysis. 2016 November 2, available at http://architectureyp. blogspot.my/2007/05/swot-analysis.html.

[8] LADA and Kumpulan Governans Pemuliharaan Warisan dan Pendidikan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Pelan Pengurusan Langkawi Geopark 2012–2030: Pelan Tindakan, L.P.L. (LADA), Editor. 2012, Institut Alam Sekitar dan Pembangunan (LESTARI): Malaysia, pp. 1–128.

[9] Samsudin, M. & Mohamad, S., Pengaruh warisan sejarah dalam industri pelancongan Langkawi. International Journal of the Malay World and Civilisation, 1(1), pp. 99–109, 2013.

[10] LADA. Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark. 2016 November 8, available at https:// www.lada.gov.my/index.php/mengenai-kami/produk/langkawi-unesco-global-geopark.

[11] Augustin, R., Precious mangroves in Langkawi Geopark illegally destroyed, 2016 Feb-ruary 25, available at http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/01/20/ precious-mangroves-in-langkawi-geopark-illegally-destroyed/.

[12] Idris, S.M.M., Mangrove forest in Kilim Geo Park under threat. Mangroves here are being threatened by tourist boat activities and pollution due to littering. 2016 Novem-ber 17, available at http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2016/05/27/ mangrove-forest-in-kilim-geo-park-under-threat/.

[13] NAHRIM and NRE, The Study on Riverbank Erosion Due to Shipwake at Kilim Geo-forest Park, Langkawi, (NRE), Editor. 2015, NAHRIM: Malaysia, pp. 1–41.