Kenyir Geopark Recognised As Ninth National Geopark

PUTRAJAYA, June 2 (Bernama) -- Kenyir Geopark in Terengganu has been declared the ninth National Geopark under the Geopark Development Programme announced by the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRECC).

The recognition was made during the National Geopark Committee Meeting Number 1/2023 last May 30 (2023), the ministry said in a statement today.

Kenyir Geopark, with an area of 2,449 hectares covering part of the Hulu Terengganu district, is formed by various types of rocks, minerals, structures, landscapes and unique geological features as a result of geological processes that occurred approximately 360 million years ago.

"Kenyir Geopark contains 15 geosites of international, national and local status as well as 10 biosites, 11 cultural sites and one geoarchaeological site," the ministry said.

Its special features include the karst morphology of Bukit Bewah that exists above the lake, the various marine fossils and discoveries, such as a 16,000-year-old prehistoric human skeleton, dinosaur footprint fossils and archaeological artifacts such as the Terengganu Inscription Stone Memorial.

The eight National Geoparks that have been recognised are Kinta Valley and Lenggong Geopark in Perak; Jerai Geopark (Kedah); Kinabalu Geopark (Sabah); Labuan Geopark (Federal Territory of Labuan): Sarawak Delta Geopark (Sarawak), Gombak- Hulu Langat Geopark (Klang Valley) and Stong Geopark in Kelantan.

-- BERNAMA