Potential to enter Unesco heritage list

The Royal Belum rainforest is one of four sites in the tentative Unesco list. — filepic

ROYAL Belum in Gerik, Perak, is one of four sites in the tentative heritage list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

If the rainforest makes the cut, then it will be the second destination in Perak entering the Unesco list.

The Lenggong Valley, where the skeletal remains of early man called Perak man was discovered, is the first site recognised by Unesco.

State tourism committee chairman Tan Kar Hing said the National Heritage Department is expected to submit the dossier on the sites to Unesco after the state sends it in.

“We really need to work hard in terms of the forest and wildlife conservation efforts,” he told reporters after launching the Perak chapter of the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) fair.

The other three sites on the tentative Unesco list are Taman Negara, the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge in Gombak and the Forest Research Institute Malaysia.

When announcing the matter recently, Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said declaring these places, which had historical and heritage value, as Unesco World Heritage Sites would protect their biodiversity and uniqueness.

Tan added that if Royal Belum was selected it would help promote the northern part of Perak further.

“Since Lenggong Archaeological Gallery is already there, visitors would be able to go a little further to Royal Belum.

“I recently also spoke to the Lenggong District Council president on developing Tasik Raban as a tourist destination.

“If we package it nicely, I am sure this part of Perak can be another great tourist destination,” he added.

Tan said with the Betong airport in Thailand expected to be completed by year 2020, more tourists could be expected from the neighbouring country.

Betong is bordering Pengkalan Hulu, where Royal Belum is located.

Tan also said there is a need for more green badge tourist guides in Perak.

He said currently, there were only 19 of such guides available in Perak.

“These are eco-tourism and adventure trail guides,” he added.

On another matter, Tan said the Tambun Cave would be reopened to visitors sometime next week.

He said the exact date of the opening would be announced at a later date.

“The state government has hired a private company to manage the access route to the cave, as well as to look after the landscaping works.

“The entrance to the cave is still free,” he added.

The drawings at the cave is believed to be from between 3,000 and 5,000 BC during the Neolithic period.

The access route to the cave was closed in July because of undergrowth covering the slippery steps leading to the area, and poor maintenance.

-thestar online.