FIRST EDITION www.langkawigeopark.com.my THE LANGKAWI STORY: a Sustainable Tourism Destination Tell-tale dropstones found deposited here by migrating glaciers or icebergs provided the evidence that Langkawi was once part of Gondwanaland, an ancient continent, and had moved up from the South Pole eons ago. Another discovery, rocks in Gunung Machinchang are found embedded with fossils of trilobites, an ancient creature, that has been carbon-dated to 550 million years old making Langkawi the oldest landmass in South East Asia. Langkawi is a geologist's treasure trove and a history book of the earth formation of the past. ~ See on Page 9-10 NEW GEOTOURISM NEW CUSTODIAN DESTINATION Newly-appointed ~ See on Page 11 - 12 Langkawi Development Authority CEO Dato' Haji Azizan Noordin (left) and his deputy Ahmad Zaini Zaba’ai posing for a photo with Geopark expert Prof. Ibrahim Komoo (centre). GEOPARK CONSERVATION DAY GlobalG United Nations Langkawi ~ See on Page 25 - 27 Educational, Scientific and UNESCO Cultural Organization Global Geopark CONTENTS 2 Contents 30-38 Geopark Heroes & Persanalities 3 Royal Patron Geo Groups Geopark Ambassadors 4 Message Advisor of Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark Geopark Personalities Prof Emeritus Dr Ibrahim Komoo ~ FLAG (No laughing matter) ~ Dr. Herb Foreword 5 ~ Bird Man Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) ~ Bird Map Chief Executive Officer ~ Mr. Green Dato’ Haji Azizan Noordin ~ Biodegradable & Trash Hero Remarks 6 Supports & Developments Deputy LADA CEO 39-41 Ahmad Zaini Zaba’ai Geopark Advisor & Aspiring Geopark Geopark and Conservation Geoparks Networks Division Manager Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari ~ Muroto ~ Dongvan 7-8 Legend Legend & Folklore 42-49 Activities & Events Legend Map Geopark-related Activities Eco-sports Tourism Langkawi 9-10 Sustainable Practice & Malaysian LANGKAWI a Sustainable Tourism Nature Society Destination Piling on LADA’s good work & Wildlife Timeline Park Langkawi 11-16 Tourism Promoted Geosites Tradition & Food Pulau Tuba Henna Painting & PATA 2018 Tanjung Mali Map of Langkawi Kubang Badak Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark celebrates 10th Anniversary 17-19 Geoforest Parks Dayang Bunting Marble 50-51 Vision for Langkawi Kilim Karst Machinchang Cambrian 52-53 Photo Gallery 20 Luxury Tourism Cover photo: Aerial view of “Pulau Tuba” 21-29 Education & Conservation Sharing Geopark knowledge NOTE: This Geopark Gazette is published by the Nature Talk Radio Show Geopark and Community Development Nurturing Geoparkian Division of the Langkawi Development Authority. Educational Cruise Fun-filled Geopark Conservation Day Kompleks LADA, P.O. Box 60, Jalan Persiaran Putra 07000 Langkawi Kedah Kampung Kilim Community Tel: 04-9600 600 Fax: 04-9600 509 Cooperative Email: [email protected] Website: www.langkawigeopark.com.my Kubang Badak River Fisherman’s Cooperative Editorial and design by A PEN Media Sdn Bhd. Feedback at [email protected] - GEOPARK GAZETTE - 2 Royal Patron CONTENTS 2 Contents 30-38 Geopark Heroes & Persanalities Royal Patron 3 Geo Groups ROYAL PATRON Geopark Ambassadors 4 Message Advisor of Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark Geopark Personalities Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Prof Emeritus Dr Ibrahim Komoo ~ FLAG (No laughing matter) T A H M ' S ~ Dr. Herb uanku bdul alim u adzam hah Foreword 5 ~ Bird Man Langkawi Development he Princess of Kedah, Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Tuanku Authority (LADA) ~ Bird Map Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, has graciously consented to Chief Executive Officer ~ Mr. Green Taccept the invitation from the Langkawi Development Authority Dato’ Haji Azizan Noordin ~ Biodegradable & Trash Hero (LADA) to be the Royal Patron of Langkawi UNESCO Global Remarks Geopark. 6 Supports & Developments Deputy LADA CEO 39-41 Her support has raised the stature of Langkawi UNESCO "I am extremely supportive of the efforts, activities, and Ahmad Zaini Zaba’ai Geopark Advisor & Aspiring Geopark Global Geopark (LUGG) with an enviable royal status and commitment shown by the managers and stakeholders to Geopark and Conservation Geoparks Networks Division Manager her high commitment has brought a refreshing face to all accelerate the geopark development in this region. This Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari ~ Muroto important geopark events that were staged. workshop is a good example of how geopark becomes a ~ Dongvan tool for best practices in managing natural and cultural 7-8 Legend Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz, bestowed the royal title of heritage," Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz said. Legend & Folklore Temenggong Kedah, has taken a keen interest in LUGG 42-49 Activities & Events affairs and pledged her precious time to grace geopark In her speech, Tunku Puteri Intan lauded Langkawi UNESCO Legend Map Geopark-related Activities events especially this year when LUGG celebrates its 10th Global Geopark for taking the lead to share knowledge on Eco-sports Tourism anniversary. geopark governance and management and showcasing Langkawi 9-10 Sustainable Practice & Malaysian examples of activities that reflect how science is translated LANGKAWI a Sustainable Tourism Nature Society LUGG is the oldest Geopark in South East Asia. into action. Destination Piling on LADA’s good work & Wildlife Timeline Park Langkawi As a great supporter, Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz has moti- She said the sharing of knowledge has empowered local vated Geopark staff in LADA in its mission to promote and communities of Kilim and Kubang Badak mangrove areas in Tradition & Food 11-16 Tourism Promoted Geosites preserve LUGG. Recently, the princess was on hand to grace managing their geo-heritage resources as part of the Pulau Tuba Henna Painting & PATA 2018 the Second Asia Pacific Geoparks Network regional training geo-tourism initiatives that underlie how geopark helps the Tanjung Mali Map of Langkawi course and officiated at its opening. The course was held local community to reap economic benefits from geopark Kubang Badak Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark between May 8 and May 12 in Langkawi. development to uplift their quality of life and strengthen celebrates 10th Anniversary the sense of belonging. Geoforest Parks At the event where LADA Chief Executive Officer Dato Haji 17-19 Azizan Noordin, Geopark and Conservation Division Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz has also attended the inaugural Dayang Bunting Marble 50-51 Vision for Langkawi Manager Azmil Munif Mohd Bukhari and 70 geopark Langkawi Classic Car Show showcasing some 50 selected Kilim Karst delegates were present, she shared her views. vintage and classic cars under one roof at the Mahsuri Machinchang Cambrian 52-53 Photo Gallery International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) in April. "This gathering is a reflection of the growing interest and 20 Luxury Tourism Cover photo: development of geoparks in the Asia Pacific region as the Langkawians will surely see more of Tunku Puteri Intan Aerial view of “Pulau Tuba” new tool for regional sustainable development. Safinaz gracing the many exciting events lined up this year 21-29 Education & Conservation to celebrate the 10th anniversary. Sharing Geopark knowledge NOTE: This Geopark Gazette is published by the Nature Talk Radio Show Geopark and Community Development Nurturing Geoparkian Division of the Langkawi Development Authority. Educational Cruise Fun-filled Geopark Conservation Day Kompleks LADA, P.O. Box 60, Jalan Persiaran Putra 07000 Langkawi Kedah Kampung Kilim Community Tel: 04-9600 600 Fax: 04-9600 509 Cooperative Email: [email protected] Website: www.langkawigeopark.com.my Kubang Badak River Fisherman’s Cooperative Editorial and design by A PEN Media Sdn Bhd. Feedback at [email protected] - GEOPARK GAZETTE - 2 - GEOPARK GAZETTE - 3 Message Advisor of Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark Professor Ibrahim Komoo angkawi UNESCO Global Geopark is a testament to the conscious L and tireless efforts undertaken by Langkawi Development Authority to preserve the natural beauty and aesthetic value of Langkawi’s geologi- cal landscape that it has been endowed with. I see a planned roadmap that For the local people, the potential engages the local community, local for growth is tremendous in the authority and industry stakeholders coming years. The well-maintained Prof Emeritus/ Principal Fellow in preserving the natural and cultur- natural beauty of Langkawi al heritage of this archipelago of 99 UNESCO Global Geopark will attract Institute for Environment and islands. many tourists to visit and bring Development (LESTARI) UKM about economic spillovers that will The noteworthy efforts and dedica- benefit the local economy for all tion of Langkawi Development and sundry. Vice President, Authority (LADA) is commendable. Global Geoparks Network (GGN) LADA has not only met but capable By now, all of us should know that a Coordinator, of maintaining its UNESCO Global Geopark is not just about rock and Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) Geopark components in a sustain- its formation. It can be a outstand- Council, able manner. ing and thriving landscape with its UNESCO Global Geoparks Advisor, integrated biological, cultural and Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark I urge Langkawians to take owner- geological heritage that promises a ship of the UNESCO Global Geopark great future for Langkawi. status they possess. They must always remind themselves that the Here’s where this Geopark Gazette UNESCO status is coveted because can be helpful to disseminate infor- the aim of a geopark is about mation about the significance of promoting sustainable develop- the endorsement of UNESCO that United Nations Langkawi Educational, Scientific and UNESCO