Premier: Efforts ongoing for Sarawak Delta Geopark to be recognised as Unesco Global Geopark by 2026

KUCHING (Oct 7): Efforts in getting the Sarawak Delta Geopark (SDGp) to be recognised as a Unesco Global Geopark (UGGp) by 2026 are ongoing, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said these included getting experts from Unesco to Sarawak to assess the geological value of SDGp.

“This is one of the requirements we have to fulfil in order for SDGp to be considered and recognised as a UGGp,” he told reporters when met after officiating the International Seminar on Aspiring Sarawak Delta Unesco Geopark here today.

He also said that the process of getting SDGp recognised by Unesco was similar to how Mulu National Park and the Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex obtained recognition as Unesco World Heritage Sites.

SDGp, which covers an area of 3,112 sq km, is rich in unique landscapes including 28 rock geosites, 12 diverse biological geosites, and 14 cultural geosites located in the districts of Kuching, Bau, Padawan, and a small part of Serian Division. It was declared as the sixth Malaysia national geopark in 2022 by the National Geopark Committee.

Abang Johari said once SDGp is recognised by Unesco, this would make the geopark the third UGGp in the country.

“This recognition would enable Sarawak to indirectly complement the two other UGGps in Malaysia, namely the Langkawi UGGp in Kedah and Kinabalu UGGp in Sabah,” he said.

Langkawi was awarded the UGGp status in 2007 and became the first global geopark in Southeast Asia. It comprises all 99 islands of the archipelago with three designated geoforest parks, namely Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park, and Kubang BadakBioGeo Trail, a recently designated biogeotrail.

The Kinabalu UGGp, on the other hand, is located in the north-western part of Sabah with an area of 4,750 sq km that covers three districts, namely Kota Belied, Kota Marudu and part of Ranau. It was recognised as the 195th geopark in the world in May last year.

Abang Johari said the recognition of these two parks as UGGp has attracted many tourists from all over the world to Langkawi island as well as Kota Kinabalu.

“If the SDGp were to be recognised by Unesco, this would be very appropriate to complement the two other UGGp in Malaysia.

“We have an ongoing plan for this without affecting development and the environment,” he said, noting that South Korea’s Jeju Island UGGp will serve as a model for Sarawak in preparation for SDGp to be recognised as a UGGp.

The Premier also said in addition to tourism, other benefits of being recognised as a UGGp included education and environmental preservation.

Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Deputy Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Transport Minister Dato Henry Harry Jinep, Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development permanent secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi, and Sarawak Forest Department director Datu Hamden Mohammad.