Cameron Highland

Flower

Bug

Mossy goodness...

Ant-plant

Leaf hopper...

epiphyte...

Periuk kera...

Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Langkawi Geopark, Kedah, has a rich mangrove forest, flourished on limestone formation, which is a rare occurrence.

Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Langkawi, is situated in a transitional zone where the Malesian and the Indochinese floristic regions meet. Change in colours signifies a change in the season from wet to dry.

Perhaps the most interesting features of the Setul Formation are the product of surface erosion and dissolution on limestone.

Machinchang Granite Geoforest Park, Pulau Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia, has the oldest rock formation in the country, which was formed about 505-550 million years ago.

Kudat, Northern tip of Borneo

Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, Kudat

Beauty, serenity, hospitality, poverty.....reality CHECK!

Rhizophora stand

Kids having fun

CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: NORHAYATI BT. AHMAD

Qualifications:
Ph.D. Zoology (UKMalaysia) 2001
M.Sc. Conservation Biology (UKMalaysia) 1997
B. Sc. (Hon.) Biology (Lennoxville, Quebec) 1992

Specialisation:
Herpetology, Zoology, Conservation Biology

Areas of Research:
Effects of selective logging on wildlife
Biodiversity of herpetofauna

Current Projects and Grants:
Biomonitoring of Herpetofauna for Sustainable Development of Ecotourism at Tasik Chini Basin, Pahang (IRPA 09-02-02-0120-EA297)

Biodiversity of mammals in a managed forest” di Hutan Simpan Ulu Muda, Kedah (UKM 340015040)

Taburan reruang dan masa bagi kepelbagaian dan kelimpahan fauna Amfibia di Rizab Hidupan Liar Krau, Pahang (UKM ST-024-2004)

Penialaian Sumber Asli dan Budaya untuk Pembangunan Pelancongan Langkawi (UKM, XX-8-2003)

Penaksiran danPemantauan Kepelbagaian Biologi untuk Pembangunan Eko-Pelancongan yang Mampan di Pulau Langkawi (UKM, XX-002-2002)

Kesan Pembalakan Memilih Terhadap Herpetofauna di Kawasan Tadahan Sungai Weng, Hutan Simpan Ulu Muda, Kedah (UKM, ST-021-2002)

Selected Publications:
Books
1. A. Latiff & A. Norhayati. 2006. Endau Rompin State Park, Pahang: The Southern Star of Peninsular Malaysia. Forestry Department of Pahang. pp. 109.
2. Norhayati Ahmad, Juliana Senawi, Lim Boo Liat. 2005. A Pocket Guide: Amphibians of Ulu Muda Forest Reserve. Forestry Department of Kedah State. pp. 59.
3. Norhayati Ahmad, Juliana Senawi, Lim Boo Liat. 2004. Amphibians of Endau Rompin State Park. Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia. pp. 124.

Journals
1. Ibrahim, J., Shahrul ANuar, M.S., Norhayati, A., Shukor, M.N., Shahriza, S., Nurul Ain, E., Nor Zalipah, M. & Mark Rayan, D. 2006. An annotated checklist of herpetofauna of Langkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia. Malayan Nature Journal 57 (4): 369-381.
2. Norsham, Y., Norhayati, A., Fuad Shariff, M. Nordin & Lim, B.L. 2005. Pre-Logging Survey on vertebrate species diversity at Sungai Weng sub-catchment, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah: Amphibian Fauna. Malayan Nature Journal 57 (1): 47-55.
3. Norsham, Y., Norhayati, A., Fuad Shariff, M. Nordin & Lim, B.L. 2005. Pre-Logging Survey on vertebrate species diversity at Sungai Weng sub-catchment, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah: Reptilian Fauna. Malayan Nature Journal 57 (2): 145-154.
4. Wong, S.T., Servheen, C., Laurentius, A. & Norhayati, A. 2005. Impacts of fruit production cycles on Malayan sun bears and bearded pigs in lowland tropical forest of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. J. Trop. Ecol. 21: 627-639.
5. Norhayati, A., Nordin, M., & Latiff, A., 2004, Effects of selective logging on carnivores in Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia, Tropical Biodiversity, 8(1): 31-40.
6. Norhayati, A., A.A. Saiful, A. Shahrolnizah, B.M. Md-Zain, M.N. Shukor, H. Hazimin, & M. Nordin. 2004. Diversity and density of mammals in the peat swamp forests of the Langat Basin, Selangor, Malaysia. Journal of Malaysian Applied Biology, 33 (2): 7-17.
7. Norhayati Ahmad dan A. Murad, 2002, Survival, behavioral and haematological indicators of goldfish, Carassius auratus exposed to lead nitrate, Journal of Malaysian Applied Biology, 30 (1&2): 9-16.
8. Norhayati A. & A. Latiff, 2002, Biomass and Species Composition of a Mangrove Forest in Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia, Journal of Malaysian Applied Biology, 30 (1 & 2): 75-80.
9. Norhayati A., M. Nordin, & A. Latiff, 2001, Effects of selective logging on nocturnal prosimians in Danum Valley, Sabah, Journal of Wildlife and Parks, 19: 129-132.
10. Norsham, Y., Fuad Shariff, A. Norhayati, M. Nordin and Lim, B.L., 1999. Pre-logging survey of mammal fauna at Sungai Weng sub-catchment, Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah, Journal of Wildlife and Parks,

EDITORIAL
1. Sahir Othman, Siti Hawa Yatim, Sivananthan Elagupillay, Shukor Md. Nor, Norhayati Ahmad, Shahrul Anuar Mohd. Sah. 2006. Management and status of resources in protected areas of Peninsular Malaysia. Department of Wildlife and National Parks. pp. 236.
2. Wong, S.L., Shaharuddin, Mohamad Ismail, Ibrahim Komoo, Mohd. Shafeea Leman, Kamal Roslan Mohamed, Che Aziz Ali, Abdul Latiff Mohamad, Norhayati Ahmad, Wan Yusoff Wan Ahmad & Azman Abdul Rahman. 2005. (Eds.). Geoforest Parks. Hanging Gardens of Langkawi. Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia & Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. pp. 116.
3. Laily bin Din, Muhammad Yahya, A. Norhayati, M.S. Nizam, Waidi Sinun & A. Latiff. 2005. (Eds.). Danum Valley Conservation Area: Physical, Biological & Social Environments. Yayasan Sabah & Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. pp. 392.
4. Latiff, Khali Aziz Hamzah, Norhayati Ahmad, Mohd. Nizam Mohd. Said, Toh An Nee & Savinder Kaur Gill. 2005. (Eds.) Biodiversity Expedition Sungai Bebar, Pekan, Pahang. Summary Findings. Peat Swamp Forest Project, UNDP-GEF Funded, in collaboration with the Pahang Forestry Department and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. 169 pp.

Contact Information

SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCESFACULTY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

03-89214047- Fax Number
03-89253357- E-mail

noryati@pkrisc.cc.ukm.my

Anilao Macro

Painted Frogfish - Antennarius pictus

Hypselodoris bullockii

Partner shrimp - Periclemenes sp.

Lissocarcinus orbicularis

Banded boxer shrimp - Stenopus hispidus

Saw blade shrimp

Mantis shrimp

Anemone crab - Neopettrolisthes maculatus (?)

Chromodoris willani

Reticulidia halgerda

Leaf fish

Blue-fin lionfish

Pygmy seahorse

Langkawi Geopark

The pinnacle at Kilim, is the icon for Geopark Langkawi (Photo by Kamal Roslan)

Introduction

LADA was established in 1990, brainchild of the former premier Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Its role is to provide the basic infrastructure and physical development of Langkawi islands for the purpose of enhancing tourism as the prime mover of the economy. Apart from that, LADA is also tasked with the socioeconomic development of the islands, mainly to encourage locals to participate in the mainstream development of the economy. Currently, LADA has a workforce of 270 personnel under 9 divisions, the latest of which is the Geopark Division specially set up to plan, manage and oversee the development of the Langkawi Geopark. Under the geopark program, LADA works hand-in-hand with UKM under a long-term memorandum of understanding initiated since 1996. While LADA provides the administrative backing, management and implementation efforts, UKM provides research and academic input towards the realization of Langkawi Geopark.

Geopark Development Plan

Langkawi Geopark has been planned over the last five years. Numerous studies and geological expeditions have been undertaken. Informational briefings were provided by LADA and UKM to various related and interested parties. A working paper was presented to the Kedah State Executive Council, chaired by the Chief Minister of Kedah, Malaysia and the Langkawi Geopark was officially endorsed on 31st May 2006. Henceforth, a briefing was delivered to the Prime Minister of Malaysia who chaired the LADA Board Meeting on 6th October 2006. The Prime Minister gave its full support for the development of Langkawi Geopark and sanctioned the move for its candidature for endorsement under UNESCO Global Network of National Geoparks.

Geopark Management Plan

The Kedah State Chief Minister has agreed to chair the Advisory Council of Langkawi Geopark to monitor and provide necessary advice on overall development of the geopark. The Advisory Council is made up of members from various State Departments. The Langkawi Geopark will be directly managed by LADA through the Langkawi Geopark Division. This unit is manned by professionals in three main areas, namely geologist, administrative officer and infrastructure/facilities officer. The functioning of the geopark office is facilitated by four technical committees. The composition of each committee involves members of both the public or government sector as well as the private sectors and non-government organization. Government sector agencies include the Tourism Malaysia, Department of Heritage, Department of Muzeum, Department of Forestry, Department of Mineral and Geoscience, the private sectors and NGOs include hotel associations, tourist guides and tour operators. These committees, as and when necessary, shall also include individuals and activists in the field of environmental care, socio-economy, community development and culture.

Conservation of Natural Resources

Langkawi Island has a high potential for conservation of biodiversity and geodiversity. This is because of 99 islands that form this archipelago, only four are inhabitat, i.e. Langkawi Island (main island), Tuba Island, Rebak Island, and Dayang Bunting Island. Most of these islands are still covered by pristine lowland semi-deciduous forests, which harbour an array of diverse flora, fauna, geology and landform. Conservation of nature in Langkawi and Malaysia, in general, is based on the Forest Reserve concept. This encompasses forests that cannot be exploited for timber (non-productive forest, forest that can be exploited for timber, and recreation (production forest). All forests in Langkawi have been classified as non-productive forest. The National Forestry Department has declared three protected forest areas in Langkawi as Geoforest parks. Geoforest park highlights the geological components within the park area and emphasize on the balanced protection of geological and biological heritage. In addition, geoforest park also promote the area for education and recreation purposes.

A. Eurycoma longifolia or the ‘Tongkat Ali’ is a widely used as a commercial herbal drink and in traditional herbal medicine, B. Clorodendrum langkawiens or the ‘Pepanggil Langkawi’ is one of the endemic species in Langkawi found at the peak of Machinchang. C.
Horsfieldia irya (Penerahan pianggu) D. Macaca fascicularis (crab-eating macaques or the water macaques) are perhaps the only primate in Langkawi that can actively hunt for food underwater at the coastal plain. E. Trachypithecus obscurus (Spectackled leaf monkey) is one of the three primate species found in Langkawi. F. Calotes versicolor, is a common agamid lizard that graces the open space forest near human settlement (Photo credit: Norhayati A.)

Langkawi Research Centre

As one of the well known tourist destinations based the abundant natural resources, Langkawi needs a lot of support from research and development (R & D) to sustain its tourism industry. For this reason, Langkawi Research Centre (LRC) was established in 2002. It is one of the research centres of excellence in the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), administered by the Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), UKM. The centre focuses on multidisciplinary researches, spearheading the goal of approaching sustainable development of ecotourism in Langkawi. Resutls of the researches conducted are presented to LADA and other agencies involved to identify various natural resource with high potential to be developed for tourism. At the same time, the LRC entity itself could become another tourist attraction in Langkawi. The centre is divided into three main programmes, i.e. Geology and Landscape; Biology and Marine; and Cultural and Local Tradition Programmes. LRC has chosen the approach to promote Langkawi as a Geopark for sustainable development of ecotourism, as it does not limit itself to conservation of natural resources, but it deals with conservation of the environment and landscapes, as well as development of socio-economic well being of the local community. The big move forward was marked by the endorsement of Langkawi by the Kedah State as a national geopark on the 31st May 2006, and subsequently declared as the 52nd member of the Global Geopark Network, which is a UNESCO initiative, on the 30th June 2007. Thus, Langkawi became the first global geopark in Southeast Asia.

Arguments for the nomination as a Geopark within the Global Network

Langkawi Geopark is the first geopark established in Malaysia and is one of the rare island geoparks in the world comprising 99 islands. Langkawi Geopark is the 52nd Geopark in the UNESCO’s Global Network of National Geoparks for several reasons including:

Langkawi Geopark possesses one of the most beautiful tropical island karst landscapes in the Southeast Asian region. This scenic beauty blended with its rich biodiversity has been Langkawi’s main tourist attraction. Knowledge on the origin of the limestone karst and the beauty of the landscape are the greatest assets to Langkawi Geopark to be shared with the rest of the world.

As the birthplace of the country and the surrounding region, Langkawi Geopark possesses the region’s oldest rocks and the most complete Palaeozoic geological history. Several Langkawi geoheritage sites are of regional importance and should be preserved for the future generations. These include several best-studied type sections, type localities and several other geosites of national and regional significance.

Langkawi Geopark possesses the most comprehensive evidences supporting the theory that this region originated from Gondwanaland that has experienced various tectonic movements. Such evidences include the many dropstones of glacial origin and cold-temparate fossil fauna within the Singa Formation.

The high geodiversity of Langkawi Geopark is essential to biodiversity of flora and fauna. Langkawi is situated in a transitional zone where the Malesian and the Indochinese floristic regions meet. Thus, the semi-evergreen tropical rainforest supports unique flora and fauna species, some of which are endemic to the island, particularly the limestone flora. Langkawi has a rich mangrove forest, flourished on limestone formation, which is a rare occurrence.

Langkawi has been a tourism islands for many years. It has all the necessary infrastructure and utilities to support any future development for sustainable tourism. Langkawi Geopark has been planned for the last five years. It has been endorsed by the Kedah State Government in May 2006 and strongly supported by the Prime Minister during the LADA board meeting on 6th October 2006.

Anilao, Philippines