KUCHING, June 23: The Sarawak Delta has been recognised as the sixth national geopark under the National Geopark Development Programme.
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the recognition was confirmed on June 20 during the first National Geopark Committee Meeting this year.
Sprawling 3,112 sq km, the Sarawak Delta National Geopark located in the southern part of the State, has a unique rock landscape (28 geosites), biological diversity (12 biosites) and culture (14 cultural sites).
Out of the 28 geosites, 12 are of international standards, eight are of national standards and eight are of local standards.
“The recognition is another achievement for the country, particularly the Sarawak government and local authorities, in the preservation of nature and sustainable management of areas of national importance which have geosites with extraordinary value in like with the National Development Agenda and Sustainable Development Objectives 2030 under United Nations (UN).
“The ministry believes that the close cooperation between the fand Sarawak governments can ensure that the national geopark is well managed.
“In addition, continuous efforts to improve the socio-economic status of the local community, especially those living around the National Geopark region can be implemented more effectively through the involvement of local communities in various activities and geopark development programmes,” Takiyuddin said in a statement today.
He believes that visitors to the geopark will be able to see unique and fascinating geological and historical landscape formations, from carbon to resin; rich biodiversity with endemic species in Borneo such as orangutan, proboscis monkey and fairy rock gecko; as well as the richness of cultural heritage in the forms of architecture, musical instruments and food, from the existing multicultural society.
Sarawak Delta is the sixth location recognised as a national geoparks after the Kinta Valley Geopark and Lenggong Geopark in Perak; Jerai National Geopark in Kedah; Kinabalu National Geopark in Sabah; and Labuan National Geopark, in the Federal Territory of Labuan. — DayakDaily
