By Amanda L
KUCHING, May 13: The Sarawak government is moving towards gazetting the proposed Keluan Hill National Park in Ulu Baram, which includes the famed Three Sisters Waterfall, with the proposal expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2026 following biodiversity and land status assessments.
Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Sarawak Datuk Len Talif Salleh said the proposed protected area covers about 1,619 hectares involving eight villages.
He said the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) conducted several biodiversity assessments throughout 2025, with preliminary findings recording at least 66 fauna species and 142 flora species within the proposed park area.
“The findings show that the area is rich in biodiversity resources,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
Len said the area is still undergoing land status verification and the gazettement proposal is expected to be completed once the boundaries are finalised.
He added that a development plan for the area would only be prepared after the gazettement process is completed.
Len further said eight villages comprising Kayan, Kenyah and Penan communities with a combined population of about 4,550 people have been identified as stakeholders in the process.
“The communities are encouraged to participate in engagement sessions organised by SFC and to submit legitimate Native Customary Rights (NCR) claims as provided under Section 12 of the National Parks and Nature Reserves Ordinance 1998, supported by relevant documents,” he said.
He added that the gazettement would strengthen biodiversity conservation and allow local communities to participate in eco-tourism activities such as operating homestays, serving as park guides and producing handicrafts. — DayakDaily
