In cooperation with farmers in Ipoh, the Perak State Agriculture Development Corporation (SADC) is building a new eco-friendly site at the foot of Gunung Matsoorat.

Ipoh Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said hydroponic plantations will be used for eco-tourism products, which would permit visitors to pick and cook vegetables on the farms.

“Through the state executive council meeting (MMK), five areas at the foot of the mountain have been approved for the urban farming project. The project is expected to open by the end of the month," said Rumaizi.

He added that the pilot survey of Gunung Matsoorat was conducted and said that similar efforts have also been approved for Gunung Rapat, Gunung Panjang, Gunung Laiang and Gunung Gunting.

Rumaizi said this following an exchange between SADC and Green Valley Agriculture, Rymba Management and Leisure in Sdn Bhd for an urban transformation project.

The idea arose during the Covid 19 pandemic, said Rumaizi, as farmers have lost income because of the absence of goods imports and exports.

“Since there were no import and export activities, many suffered from losing their job and the lack of food resources. This is one of our efforts to help those who are affected, ” he said.

When the fossils in Gua Matsoorat were discovered, the council would work with the Minerals and Geosciences Department to ensure the area is well protected,Rumaizi said.

“For this project, we have appointed those who have been involved in managing and protecting the eco-system of the area. We also plan to work together with the historical department to protect the area including taking care of the preserved fossil, ” he said.

On March 18, Mohd Fadly Md Noor, Chairman of the Perak Natural Heritage Geopark Guides, stated that the fossilised teeth of a herbivorous mammal were preserved at the Gua Matsoorat discovery site.

He claimed that the cave had been visited earlier by a group of people, believed to be from a video company.

Perak President Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi, Local Government and Tourism Committee, said on 19 Mar that the state will take additional security measures to protect Gua Matsoorat.