In Kampar, the Perak government has announced plans to designate the 6.9 hectare site near Kampung Changkat Tualang as a geosite, following the discovery of ancient coral fossils in the area. Mohd Azlan Helmi, the State Communications, Multimedia and NGO Committee chairman, emphasized that the area holds significant scientific, recreational, aesthetic, and historical values.
Researchers have determined that the site is home to various invaluable treasures, making it the first geosite in the state to contain coral fossils. Helmi stressed the need for measures to preserve the area’s record of earth’s evolution in order to generate new knowledge for future generations, hence the need for gazetting.
He also highlighted the importance of an integrated effort involving the Perak Department of Mineral and Geoscience, Kampar District and Land Office, as well as the Kampung Changkat Tualang community to realize the aspiration of gazetting the area.
Helmi, who is also the Tualang Sekah assemblyman, pointed out that the site can be utilized for educational and research purposes and has the potential to become a new tourist destination in Perak.
Furthermore, the discovery made by researchers from the Perak Geotourism Association (GEONAT) confirms that the area was once an open sea with abundant snail life attached to limestone rocks.
