LANGKAWI MAY LOSE ITS UNESCO GEOPARK STATUS?! BUT WHY?

In the past, one of the main problems was enforcement, as stated by Irshad Mobarak, owner of Jungle Walla, a Langkawi-based eco-tour agency. While Langkawi did follow UNESCO’s recommendations and employed geopark wardens, these wardens had no authority to act, and the best they can do is take pictures and lodge reports, which ended up back in the bureaucratic circle. The solution Irshad suggested was increasing the public’s awareness.

This is not just for local communities and tour operators, but tourists, too. Tourists need to understand that when they buy an eagle- or monkey-feeding tour, they are contributing to the issues associated with them. There need to be pamphlets in the plane; in the ferry; in every hotel room. It’s about supply and demand. If the customer demands better practices, the operators will have no choice but to adhere to them.”

– Irshad Mobarak

Cilisos.my: Langkawi May Lose Its Unesco Geopark Status?
Posted by: Badd
March 23, 2018