Niah National Park joins Mulu as Unesco World Heritage Site

KUCHING (July 28): Sarawak achieved another milestone when the Niah National Park in Miri was recently announced as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

This marks the second World Heritage Site in the state, following the first, Mulu National Park, which was awarded the same honour in 2000.

Such recognition was granted to Sarawak at the 46th Unesco World Heritage Committee Meeting held at the Bharat Mandapam International Convention and Exhibition Centre in New Delhi, India on Saturday (July 27).

It aspires to bring new light to the state’s tourism industry as well as to elevate the country’s reputation at the global arena.

Leading the Sarawak delegation to India for the meeting until July 31 is Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Urban Development Datuk Len Talif Salleh.

Len Talif said this recognition marks a start of the long journey of Sarawak’s commitment, responsibilities and shared values in safeguarding the outstanding universal value of the Niah National Park for the present and future generations.

“We have invested a lot of time to come to this inscription with the strong mandate from the Premier of Sarawak Abang Jo (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) and our cabinet members.

“On behalf of the state government of Sarawak, I would like to thank the Federal Ministry of Tourism Art and Culture, Department of National Heritage, Permanent Delegation of Malaysia to Unesco in Paris and the local communities in Niah for making this journey possible,” he explained.

Len Talif pointed out that Niah National Park is famous for its archaeological importance, the Niah Cave in particular.

According to him, the new world heritage site has some of the earliest evidence of human settlement in Southeast Asia, believed to date back to 50,000 years ago.

“The stunning landscape, biological diversity and cultural heritage make this site very important in Sarawak, Malaysia and internationally,” he said.

He believed that the prestigious recognition is expected to increase conservation efforts, promote sustainable tourism and foster greater international cooperation in the conservation of the park’s priceless heritage.

Len Talif extended his appreciation to the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and Unesco for this recognition.

More than 2,000 delegates from 150 countries are attending the 46th Unesco World Heritage Committee Meeting 2024 inaugurated by Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.