Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi said Perak intends to organise more tourism activities at geo-parks in Kinta.

The Chairman of the State Committee on Tourism said bird watching, hiking and a virtual tour would be included.

“First, we'll concentrate on the geoparks in the Kinta district.

“Together with the NGOs, we will also look into having geopark vouchers, eco-tourism activities and more, ” she said after attending a Facebook live session held by People of Remarkable Talents (PORT) yesterday.

The state-owned Kampung Karyawan Amanjaya Sdn Bhd established PORT in 2011 with the goal of making the arts more accessible to the general public.

According to Nolee Ashilin, the state is also considering adding activities to several tourist attractions within the geoparks.

“Tourism spots such as Kellie’s Castle, Tin Dredge TT5 and Herb Gardens are being upgraded to allow more tourism activities to be conducted there.

“We have started these projects but they have been suspended due to the ongoing movement control order, ” she said.

Separately, Nolee Ashilin stated that numerous local universities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) would be undertaking study on the habitat and species at Gunung Kanthan.

“The quarry activities in Gunung Kanthan have been taken over by a company since May 2019. The previous developer had agreed to conserve a certain area at Gua Kanthan as it is home to an endemic spider species called the Liphistius kanthan.

“The state has been informed that the current developer is working together with Universiti Malaya, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Monash University and Tropical Rainforest Conservation to conduct research at the conserved area, ” she said.

On May 27, at least seven non-governmental organisations (NGOs) requested the state government to completely commit to the protection of two geoparks in the Kinta Valley, claiming that they are in danger of being destroyed if they are not given prompt attention and preservation measures.

This arose when the state government renewed a cement company's land lease last year.

According to Nolee Ashilin, the developer has yet to begin quarrying activities.