This Content Is Only For Subscribers
By Nur Ashikin Louis
NIAH, June 11: Niah National Park has been nominated as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton said a dossier document highlighting the uniqueness and beauty of Niah National Park was submitted to Unesco in Paris.
“In March this year, the document has been accepted and confirmed to have meet the technical requirements by Unesco.
“This means that Niah National Park has been nominated as a Unesco World Heritage Site,” he said during SFC’s Ngabang Gawai event with the local community at Niah National Park here yesterday (June 10).
Describing Niah National Park as having ‘outstanding universal value’, he said its uniqueness lies in its archaeological discoveries, the remains of human civilization, and how this history relates to human lives today, especially for the permanent residents around Niah.
He also revealed that the nomination would boost efforts to preserve cultural and environmental heritage, open up international cooperation opportunities for conservation study, and tap into the potential of ecotourism development that can offer employment and business opportunities to local residents.
Thus, he called upon all to contribute to, support and promote efforts to create awareness on the uniqueness of Niah National Park to secure the UNesco World Heritage Site recognition.
On Nov 30 last year, Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) session, said the submission of the ‘Final Dossier’ will be followed with evaluation by advisory bodies for the final decision by the Unesco World Heritage Committee in July this year, before Niah National Park can be inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List. — DayakDaily
