By SIRA HABIBU

ItilKAWI Geopark AND Zigong Geopark in China have been declared sisters. It is believed to be a first such initiative within the UNESCO network of world geoparks.

Langkawi Development Authority general manager Datuk Kamarulzaman Abdul Ghani and Zigong vice mayor-cum-Zigong Geopark executive director Shi Minjia signed a memorandum of understanding on the collaboration in Zigong recently.

Kamarulzaman said the collaboration augured well for Langkawi Geopark that had been given the honour of leading the setting up of the Asia-Pacific Network of Geoparks.

"This marks a move forward for Langkawi Geopark," he said when contacted in Zigong. Langkawi Geopark is rich, among others, in fossils of ancient sea creatures while Zigong is famous for its dinosaur fossils. "Among the benefits of forming sister geoparks are collaboration in geopark development and the exchange of information, materials, exhibits and artefacts.

"It will also help boost tourism development," Kamarulzaman said.

Langkawi was declared the 52nd UNESCO World Geopark on June 1. Zigong is the latest addition to the UNESCO network, bringing the total number of geoparks in the network to 55. Geoparks are nature parks where great emphasis is given to geological features and biological diversity.

Langkawi Geopark created history in November as it became the first venue outside Europe and China to host the Global Geoparks Network Committee meeting. The conference, themed ‘Networking with National Geoparks’, attracted 240 delegates from 20 countries.

At the conference, Langkawi Geopark was given the mandate to lead the setting up of the Asia-Pacific Network of Geoparks.

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