THE Pahang government is targeting Lipis to be recognised as a global geopark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said.

He said apart from being known as the state’s heritage city, among the uniqueness of the district is the presence of Devon-Permian rocks in Pos Betau, lasting from 420 to 270 years ago, which proved the collision of two tectonic plates that formed Peninsular Malaysia.

Therefore, Wan Rosdy said the state government, through the Pahang State Parks Corporation members’ meeting yesterday, agreed that proactive measures be taken in an effort to achieve the target.

“As a first step, the state government has held discussions with the Department of Mineral and Geoscience and the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry through the corporation to set up the Lipis Geopark Development Committee.

“The committee will look into human resources and financial requirements to obtain recognition as a national geopark, which is one of the conditions to qualify Lipis to be nominated as a Unesco Global Geopark,” he said in a statement in Kuantan today.

Wan Rosdy said the bid would serve as a platform to enhance local heritage, and that the recognition could also improve the socio-economic status of the local community through employment opportunities and vibrant tourism activities.

He also hoped that the effort to create Lipis Geopark would enable the district to be managed holistically based on environmental sustainability, and become a tourist attraction, especially for those keen on geology. – Bernama, June 8, 2022.