Natural beauty: A trekker traversing a pathway at the Niah National Park, which was recently recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site. — Photo courtesy of Sarawak Tourism Board
KUCHING: The Sarawak Delta Geopark seeks to be recognised as a Unesco global geopark by 2026, making it the third in the country after Langkawi and Kinabalu.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the state is in the process of getting experts from Unesco to assess the geopark’s geological and heritage value.
“This is one of the criteria to be met. If we can fulfil the process, there is a possibility that our geopark will be brought to the Unesco board to be considered for listing as a Unesco global geopark.“Our target is 2026,” he told reporters after opening an international seminar on the Sarawak Delta as an aspiring Unesco geopark here yesterday.
Abang Johari said the benefits of Unesco recognition include environmental preservation and boosting tourism.He said the geopark is not only rich in geodiversity but also biodiversity and habitats that need to be protected.
These, in turn, would attract tourists who appreciate nature and will not damage the environment, he added.
The Sarawak Delta Geopark, which covers an area of 3,112sq km in Kuching, Bau, Padawan and Siburan, was recognised as Malaysia’s sixth national geopark in 2022.
Its diverse geological landscape includes mountainous regions, isolated hills and river deltas, while the local communities who live there have a rich cultural heritage.
A Unesco global geopark is a single, unified geographical area where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
State Natural Resources and Urban Development Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Abdullah Julaihi said a letter of intent has been submitted to the Unesco secretariat for the Sarawak Delta to be recognised as a Unesco global geopark.
He said the geopark is now in the advanced stages of preparing the necessary documentation for the process, including the application dossier.
“This is a crucial step in our application process, ensuring we meet the strict criteria set by Unesco,” he said in his welcoming speech at the event.
Abdullah said a long-term development and management plan had also been drawn up for the Sarawak Delta Geopark up to 2040.
“It is a comprehensive document that outlines the policies and strategies necessary to ensure that Sarawak Delta remains a sustainable and well-managed geopark for decades to come,” he said.
