GEODIVERSITY AND GEOHERITAGE ASSESSMENT IN HULU LANGAT DISTRICT, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Assessment of valuable geological resources is critical in ensuring sustainable utilization of resources at geological sites for education, tourism, recreational and conservation purposes. This research aims to develop a comprehensive method of assessing heritage resources of geological sites based on four values, scientific, aesthetic, recreational and culture in Hulu Langat. The assessment method employed in this research utilised conservation geology approach in order to to establish criteria for the four values that incorperating knowledge of other discipline, namely ecology, history and economic. Specific weightage are given for each criterion in the four values, with an empahis on scientific significance. Based on the total score, each geological sites are classified into geofeature, geosite or geotop. Additional data consisting of basic info and environmental functions, support the classification of assessed geological sites. In Hulu Langat, it was found that most of the geological sites are geofeatures. However additional data obtained shows that they also already function as a recreational area or water catchment and located within forest reserve. Therefore, the geofeatures are proposed as sites for geotourism and as conservation area. The study also recognised the assessment method developed using gelogical landscape approach in this study be able to captured the intangible and tangible significant of the geological sites

Flash flood impact in Kuala Lumpur – approach review and way forward

The understanding of the impact of flash floods is carried out by identifying the main causes of flooding. Measures have been undertaken to reduce the impact of flooding however, several recommendations are identified to address the problem more effectively. This paper is based on the analysis of the factors that has contributed to the occurrence of flash floods in urban areas particularly Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. Rapid development occurs here, leads to the compromise of green and forested areas that serve as the absorption of water run-off, causing drainage associated problem, moreover, when not managed effectively and obsolete drainage design that requires costly maintenance. Steps taken to reduce this problem are mainly structured approach which involves the construction of smart tunnel to diverted large quantities of water from the road surface to existing natural pond, widening and deepening of the drainage system, building reservoirs and dams for storm water at the upstream area. Meanwhile, the non-structured approached currently involves cleaning of the main waterway of Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak of debris. Recommendation for future works is more active non structured approach that have been prove to be cost effective with greater impact to the livelihood of the people

AN INVENTORY DATABASE FOR GEOEDUCATIONAL OUTREACH BASED ON VOLUNTEERED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (VGI) APPROACH IN MALAYSIA

The authors aim to construct a geosite database in Malaysia that is based on volunteered geographic information approach. This is because geosites information is quite scattered around the country. Free tools from the internet such as google form and wixwebsite.com were used to produce the database. The database is used to compile information not just from researchers but also from the public, and also functions to store, display and promote geosites in Malaysia. Therefore, based on its current functionality, this database could also perform as geo-educational tool for the public and also in an effort to conserve area with high geological interest

The development of myGeo-RS: A knowledge management system of geodiversity data for tourism industries

The development of MyGeo-RS, a geodiversity information and repository system is a valuable solution that can assure the management and preservation of geological datasets more interesting, accessible and shared to the public at large. This research is embarked based on the realization that with the advancement of information and communication technology, as well as data mining and knowledge discovery, knowledge about geodiversity can be better represented and explored.This project attempts to establish on how geodiversity components and their relationships can be modeled into various forms of digital object (DO) to enable access and sharing of geodiversity information. The target user groups of this project are mainly to public users and tourism industry.This paper presents the research objectives,research approach, system analysis and myGeo-RS architecture

Kepelbagaian warisan geologi persisiran pantai di Kepulauan Langkawi

Langkawi is known internationally as one of the main tourist destination in Malaysia, blessed with earth heritage that has great potential to be develop in a sustainable manner. Knowledge of the diverse physical heritage (geology and landscape) found along the coast plays an important role to unravel its potential as a new product of tourism. Coastal landscape is characterised by rocky, pebbly, sandy and muddy (including mangrove) beaches together with small islands. The rocky beach unfolds a diverse range of rocks and earth features, in which retains the historical record of the origin of Malaysia Land that took place 550. It also reveals the coastal landscape formation which crafted by waves activities. A section of the coastal outcrop represent a unique historical site and scenic landscape. This paper illustrates the diverse geological heritage and landscape found in Datai and Burau Bay and introduces rocky beach as a prospect, in which a major component of the environment, for development of beach resources

Physico-chemical characterisation and potential health benefit of the Hulu Langat Hot Spring in Selangor, Malaysia

Geotourism is a means in geology that contributes to one of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). One of the key areas in geology that can contribute to geotourism activities is hot spring exploration. This study, therefore explores hot springs in Hulu Langat, Selangor for their potential in geotourism based on their physico-chemical properties and their attributed health benefits potential. These renowned hot springs are Batu 16, Dusun Tua, National Youth Training Institute (IKBN), Sg. Serai, and Sg. Lalang. Despite their popularity among tourists, their health benefits potential remain unclear. Therefore, the physico-chemical properties of these hot springs and their potential health benefits as indicated by the abundance of trace elements in each site will be determined in this study. The temperature (℃), conductivity (μs/cm), total dissolved solid (mg/L), salinity (ppt), dissolved oxygen (mg/L) and pH values of the hot springs have been measured in-situ, and the concentrations of trace elements (Si, Li, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Se, Ag, Na, Zn, K, Mg, Ca, Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr and Cu) in hot springs water have been determined in the laboratory. Based on the in-situ measurement results, the hot springs are classified according to their pH and temperature. The pH value range from 6.83-8.71 shows that these hot springs are neutral to weak alkaline. The lowest temperature (40.47°C) has been recorded in Dusun Tua hot spring, whereas the highest temperatures (70.41-74.03°C) have been observed in IKBN hot springs. High concentrations of Si, Li, Na, K, As and Cu are found in Batu 16 hot spring. The concentrations of Fe and Ca are higher in Sg. Serai and Sg. Lalang hot springs, and the highest K concentration is found in Dusun Tua hot spring. The other concentration of trace elements are generally low and similar across hot springs. Given the abundance of trace elements, the hot springs could possibly cure certain diseases, such as psoriasis and eczema. The Batu 16, Sg. Serai and Sg Lalang hot springs have the potential to be developed as important sites for health geotourism industries due to the high trace elements concentration. Thus, this study may serve as a basis for further investigations on this aspect

Pemetaan geotapak Pulau Ular di Langkawi, Malaysia

Pemetaan Geotapak untuk Pulau Ular telah dijalankan menggunakan kaedah penderiaan jauh yang melibatkan data peta topografi, gambar udara, imej satelit serta gambar yang diambil menggunakan dron. Analisis penderiaan jauh ini menghasilkan peta geomorfologi. Langkah seterusnya adalah melakukan kerja lapangan yang akhirnya menghasilkan satu peta geologi. Cerapan lapangan telah dapat mengenal pasti fitur geologi dan landskap yang penting dan menarik, dan sebanyak 10 lokaliti atau tapak telah dikenal pasti mempunyai fitur geologi atau landskap yang penting kepada pemahaman sejarah pembentukan pulau ini, antaranya kepelbagaian jenis batuan, fosil, struktur sedimen, struktur tektonik dan fitur hakisan. Berdasarkan semua maklumat yang diperoleh ini, peta geotapak Pulau Ular telah dibangunkan dan boleh digunakan dalam membuat perancangan pemuliharaan dan pembangunan geopelancongan