Systematic Studies of Geoheritage in Jeli District, Kelantan, Malaysia

Abstract

Jeli district in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia, has many geological attractions with geoheritage values, including the beautiful geological landforms/landscapes, unique geological phenomena, and precious Earth materials. Systematic studies of geoheritage have been conducted in the district through some general phases including of inventory, characterization, classification, assessment, and evaluation in some potential geoheritage resources such as Gunung Reng (mogote hill), Jeli Hot Spring, Pergau Lake (dam), gold deposits in Kampung Kalai, Lata Janggut (cascade), Sungai Rual (river), Lata Renyok (waterfall), Lata Chenai (cascade), and Setir Cave complex. Detailed characterization and classification showed that potential geoheritage resources in Jeli district are based on landform/landscape features (geomorphological sites), such as river, waterfall, cascades, limestone hills and caves (speleological sites), and lake, and their distinctive rocks (petrological sites). Other features are the hot spring (hydrogeological site), the gold deposits (mineralogical site), and important structural features (structural sites). These geological sites range between small to medium scales. For the assessment, these resources have some geoheritage values such as scientific, educational, aesthetic, recreational, cultural, economic, and functional values, with the local to state levels of significance. Geoheritage evaluation was conducted in this area to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of its potential geoheritage resources as well as to propose some types of geoheritage conservation such as geosite and geomorphosite. All these sites should be conserved and developed, not only for research and education but also to support geotourism development in the state of Kelantan.