By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 6: Sarawak’s Bako National Park and Lambir Hills National Park have earned international recognition as Asean Heritage Parks (AHPs), joining an exclusive list of protected areas in Southeast Asia celebrated for their biodiversity and ecological significance.
They were recognised alongside the Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve in Pahang, following a unanimous decision during the 18th Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME-18) in Langkawi, Kedah, chaired on Wednesday (Sept 3) by Plantations and Commodities Minister and acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
“With this recognition, Malaysia is confident that it will enhance the country’s image internationally, strengthen Asean cooperation in biodiversity, and ensure that natural heritage continues to be protected for future generations,” the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry said in a statement posted on its official social media on Friday (Sept 5).
The meeting also recognised three new AHP sites in Vietnam, namely Xuan Thuy National Park, Pu Mat National Park, and Dong Nai Culture and Nature Reserve.
To date, Malaysia’s other AHPs include Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Kinabalu National Park in Sabah, Taman Negara (Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu) designated in 1984, and Johor’s Endau Rompin National Park which was added in 2022.
The ministry explained that the AHP programme is an Asean initiative that underscores the conservation of biodiversity, unique ecosystems, and environmental treasures across the region.
With the new recognition, Malaysia not only bolsters its conservation efforts nationally but also deepens regional cooperation in technical aspects, research, and the exchange of best practices.
The achievement also aligns with Action 8.5, Target 8 under the National Biodiversity Policy (DKBK) 2022–2030, which aims to secure global recognition of areas important for biodiversity conservation.
The ministry credited the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) Peninsular Malaysia and the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) for their pivotal role in achieving this milestone.
“This success is especially meaningful as it coincides with Malaysia’s role as Asean Chair in 2025, reaffirming the country’s leadership in driving the regional biodiversity agenda,” it added, while welcoming future state government initiatives to nominate more areas with potential for AHP recognition. — DayakDaily
