By Nancy Nais
BAU, June 25: Kampung Peros in Krokong made history by being the first Geopark village in Sarawak.
Officially recognised as Sarawak’s Delta Geopark (SDGp) partner, village head Sata Najoi said the recognition marks a significant milestone, placing Kampung Peros firmly on the map of Geopark development in Sarawak.
Currently made up of 85 residential homes with 142 registered household head, the village has a total population of 508 individuals comprising of 268 males and 240 females.
“The development of this initiative would not have been possible without the committed involvement of the Kampung Peros’ community who have shown remarkable unity, endurance and determination.
“Their active participation and sense of ownership have been the central to the progress achieved up to this day. Their immense hard work will never be forgotten,” Sata said with immense pride during a visit by two United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) field evaluators.
Jean-Simon Pagés, a senior evaluator of UNESCO Global Geoparks from the Haute-Provence UNESCO Global Geopark, France, and Antonio Garcia Jiménez, director of Sierras Subbéticas UNESCO Global Geopark in Spain, visited Kampung Peros today as part of the final evaluation of SDGp for Unesco Global Geopark (UGGp) status.
Their four-day evaluation tour, from June 23 to 26, covers several key geological, biological and cultural sites across the Sarawak Delta, including the Paku Rock Maze, Wind Cave, Kampung Peros, and SMK Paku in Bau; Schist Tuang in Semeba; Semenggoh Nature Reserve and Padawan Biological Heritage in Padawan; the Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching; and Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong.
Sata believes the visit is not merely a process of evaluation but a symbol of hope and recognition.
The selection, he said, reflects readiness and strong commitment of Kampung Peros community in supporting collaborative efforts toward conservation, sustainable development, and international recognition.
“It is an acknowledgment of collective efforts between local communities and key agencies working hand in hand to elevate natural and cultural heritage of our land. This is the moment for us to unite with strength drawn from our roots, to bring together voices and efforts, and to build a community that is not only competitive, but also sustainable and respected on the world stage.
“The identity that we have built through this partnership stands as living proof that the true strength of a community lies in the unity of purpose and the courage to dream beyond the ordinary,” Sata asserted, adding they were honoured to be selected as one of the key pit stops in the official evaluation tour towards recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Speaking to DayakDaily after the event, Jean-Simon said he was very amazed and impressed with Kampung Peros’s community and their dedication.
“Look at them. You can see how committed they are in wanting to raise their village status. Their dedication to geo-conservation, education, sustainable development and community involvement are obvious.
“This place has everything from geological site, rich culture and tradition to unique and delicious local food where unity is even in the ingredients itself.
“Even the way they welcome Antonio and myself was also as ‘warm as the humid weather’ out there,” Jean-Simon jokingly said, causing laughter among those who were there.
Meanwhile, he added that their evaluation mission is still on-going as they are only on their second day, therefore there are still more to be done such as places to see and people to discuss with.
“We do not make the final decision. Instead, we are here to evaluate and then report it to the council who will then decide. But rest assured, everything that we have seen so far is fantastic,” Jean-Simon said. – DayakDaily
