By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 23: The Sarawak government has nominated Bako National Park and Bukit Lambir National Park for recognition as Asean Heritage Parks (AHP), in a move aimed at elevating the State’s rich natural heritage onto the international stage.
According to TVS and Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) reports, Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the nomination underscores the Sarawak’s strong commitment to securing global recognition for its biodiversity conservation areas.
“Following the successful inscription of Niah National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, two more national parks namely Bako and Bukit Lambir have now been put forward as Asean Heritage Parks.
“Apart from that, Sarawak is also working towards securing UNESCO Global Geopark recognition for the Sarawak Delta Geopark in 2026,” he said in a speech text delivered by Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh during the Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development’s Integrity Day celebration on Friday (Aug 22).
The Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) conducted its evaluation of both parks between May 6 and 13, 2025, with the outcome expected to be announced in September 2025.
“This recognition will serve as a testament to the Sarawak government’s capability in managing the environment sustainably,” he added.
Awang Tengah also highlighted that nearly 50 per cent of Sarawak’s forest areas have been certified under the Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme (MTCS), while Mulu National Park continues to hold its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“As such, the values of environmental integrity and sustainability must form the foundation of every development plan, as well as the administration and management of natural resources, to ensure a balance between economic progress and environmental stewardship,” he stressed. — DayakDaily
