Taman Lagenda

To know Langkawi Geopark, take a walk here

Naturalist Irshad Mobarak mimicked the calls of a hornbill. Seeing a bird fly past him, he quickly pointed to it and he called out its name – the sand piper.

Next, he turned the pages of a book in his hands and stopped at a page to show the picture of the bird to his captive audience.

They are young children,who crowded around him as they listened with bated breath, soaking up every word he said. He told the children how swifts and swiftlets could fly without stopping for as long as two years, and how hornbills were monogamous, mating for life.

The occasion was a Geopark Conservation Day and the venue is Taman Legenda (Park of Legends), a showcase of what Geopark means in the town of Kuah, Langkawi.

You Cannot Love What You Do Not Know

As the Malay saying goes; you cannot love what you do not know, and Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) is going the extra mile to inculcate upon these young children what it is to appreciate the things they are endowed with.

The choice of Taman Legenda, a 20-hectare site, is indeed ideal to hold the grand Geopark Conservation Day to educate everyone on the importance of protecting Langkawi’s natural heritage that has gained international recognition as an UNESCO Global Geopark.

The Geopark Conservation Day at Taman Lagenda

Over 2,000 people turned up, including those from 25 government agencies and non-governmental organisations such as Friends of Langkawi Geopark (FLAG), Malaysian Nature Society and Langkawi Tourist Guides’ Association.

The half-day “geo nature” themed programme saw top LADA officials, including the former LADA CEO Tan Sri Khalid Ramli joining in a day of fun.

Dr. Herb (right) explaining to Tan Sri Khalid the use of native herbs in cooking

They planted native seedlings in the compound of the park; other participants took part in GeoHunt, GeoCoral conservation and auto show programmes; and children in GeoNature drawing competition.

GeoWalk involved Irshad taking groups of eager young students, Dr Abdul Ghani Hussain, known as Doctor Herbs, sharing his knowledge on local herbs and its medicinal values.

Chairman of the Langkawi chapter of the Malaysian Nature Society Eric Sinnaya says the venue, Taman Lagenda, is itself a good teaching tool, as the beautiful 20ha park has features depicting Langkawi’s legends, myths and geological history.

He believes that teaching children to love nature and the environment will have positive impact on many levels.

“Naturalists and groups like MNS and FLAG have the pool of expertise for LADA to tap on. We can share knowledge and help engage the people,” he says.

As the children and youths went around with their nature walks and treasure hunt, several booths displayed uniquely Langkawi products, such as GeoCookies – homemade biscuits inspired by Langkawi’s fossils and geological wonders by tour guide Nor Azlina Ahmad, who is one of the 21 geopark ambassadors appointed to promote Langkawi’s assets, its Global Geopark status.

GeoCookies by Geo Ambassador Nor Azlina Ahmad are home-made biscuits inspired by Langkawi fossils and geological wonders.

CONSERVATION IS NOT A CHOICE

Khalid says Langkawi’s conservation is crucial as an integral part of its journey to become a premium eco- and geo-tourism destination.

“We are pursuing it more rigorously and with greater intent. We recognise that schoolchildren can play a very important role as change agents,” he tells where2 at the event.

It is the hope that the children, with raised awareness on the importance of conservation, will become adults who will protect Langkawi’s natural heritage even more than their own parents.

The urgent need to conserve nature and protect the Geopark is summed up by LADA Geopark and Conservation Division manager Azmil Munif Moh Bukhari in a few words; “There is no PLANet B”.

Mutiara Atiqah Resources managing director Sukmawati Buyong introducing biodegradable tableware her company is promoting to replace the use of plastic for the wellbeing of the environment.