By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 24: The arrival of two Unesco-appointed evaluators in Sarawak on Monday (June 23) marked a critical milestone in the Sarawak Delta Aspiring Geopark’s journey toward becoming the State’s first Unesco Global Geopark.
According to a TVS news report, Jean-Simon Pagés of France and Antonio Garcia Jiménez of Spain, both seasoned geopark experts, landed at Kuching International Airport around 3pm. They were warmly received by Sarawak Forestry Department director Datuk Hamden Mohammad and the Sarawak Delta Aspiring Unesco Global Geopark (SDaUGGp) team.
According to SDaUGGp, the evaluators will embark on a four-day mission, from Monday until June 26, to inspect several key sites that exemplify the geological, biological, and cultural richness of the Sarawak Delta.
“The evaluation itinerary includes visits to several heritage sites, such as the Tuang Schist in Semeba and the Paku Rock Maze in Bau—both designated geological heritage sites; Wind Cave Nature Reserve in Bau, which holds both geological and biological significance; Semenggoh Nature Reserve in Padawan, recognised for its biological heritage; and cultural landmarks such as the Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching and the Sarawak Cultural Village in Santubong,” the statement read.
Additional locations include the Geopark Village of Kampung Peros in Krokong, the Geopark School SMK Paku in Bau, and other prominent sites across the nominated geopark area.
This evaluation presents a major opportunity for Sarawak to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable development, geological conservation, education, and community empowerment through the geopark initiative.
During a briefing session, Deputy Minister for Land Administration, Urban Development and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, who chairs the Sarawak Delta Geopark Steering Committee, delivered opening remarks underscoring the Sarawak government’s dedication to sustainability.
His remarks aligned with Unesco’s Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting initiatives such as forest conservation, renewable energy, and hydrogen development.
The session continued with a series of presentations to provide the evaluators with an in-depth understanding of the geopark’s scope and vision. Hamden introduced the Sarawak Delta Geopark, followed by an overview presented by Geopark Management Unit head Madeline George Pau.
A technical briefing on the region’s geological heritage of international significance was then delivered by Dr Mazlan Madon and renowned tectonics and igneous expert Prof Dr Azman Ghani.
The evaluators were reportedly impressed by the strong inter-agency collaboration and the commitment shown by members of the working committees and local communities during the session.
The SDaUGGp covers a uniquely diverse region, both geologically and culturally, with breathtaking landscapes that give it a distinct identity.
Spanning 3,112 square kilometres, the Sarawak Delta is home to a mosaic of indigenous communities who not only maintain their traditional ways of life but also actively preserve and celebrate their cultural heritage, deeply intertwined with the region’s natural resources.
The region’s geological story dates back approximately 250 million years, shaped by significant tectonic shifts. These changes form part of a broader geological narrative that extends beyond Southeast Asia, linking to ancient continental processes across Europe and Asia. — DayakDaily
