Preparing Sarawak Delta Geopark for nomination as Unesco Global Geopark by 2026

KUCHING (July 17): The Sarawak Delta Geopark (SDGp) is now being prepared for nomination as a Unesco Global Geopark by 2026, said Sarawak Forests director Datu Hamden Mohammad.

“In order to achieve Unesco Global Geopark status, it requires continuous efforts and high commitment from all parties including the local community, government and various stakeholders.

“It also involves compliance with the standards and criteria set by Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). Therefore, this aspiration depends on joint efforts to preserve and develop the Sarawak Delta Geopark,” he said in a statement.

It was issued following the commencement of a two-day Sarawak Delta Geopark Expedition Seminar at a hotel here from today until today (July 17-18).

It attracted 150 participants from agencies such as the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts; Ministry of Urban Development and Natural Resources; Forest Department; Sarawak Forestry Corporation; Sarawak Museum Department and Land and Survey Department.

Participants also come from Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), Kuching South City Council (MBKS), Bau District Council, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), Bau District Office, Kuching District Office, Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, Sarawak Economic Planning Unit, Tourism Malaysia Sarawak, Department of Minerals and Geoscience Sarawak, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Malaysian Nature Society as well as the Kuching Division Resident’s Office.

Hamden, who is also manager of SDGp, said this seminar is an important effort in documenting the geological, biological and cultural heritage found in the Sarawak Delta Geopark area.

He also explained the seminar is a follow-up to the Sarawak Delta Geopark Expedition which was held on March 20-26, 2023.

“The objectives of the SDGp Seminar include the sharing of field research findings by various agencies involved in the Sarawak Delta Geopark Expedition 2023 and to improve the collaboration and the role of various agencies in research and development activities.

“It is also to encourage the involvement of various interested agencies and communities in the SDGp to strengthen joint management; and improve the ability of the Working Group committees to play a role in programme planning and the implementation of activities that include natural heritage (geology), biodiversity, history and culture,” said Hamden, who is also chairman of the Scientific Conservation and Heritage Working Group Committee.

He also said the implementation of the Research Programme is one of the scopes/components under the 12th Malaysia Plan Federal Development Project.

Hamden was represented at the opening of the seminar by head of Geopark Management from Sarawak Forest Department, Madeline George Pau.

Also present were community leaders and representatives from the government agencies involved.