KUCHING, Oct 3: The roadmap for the nomination of Sarawak Delta as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark will be presented to the National Geopark Committee this month.
The Sarawak Delta was certified as the sixth national geopark at the National Geopark Committee meeting on June 20 last year.
Covering an area of 3,112 sq km, the Sarawak Delta National Geopark is rich in unique rock landscapes (28 geosites), biological diversity (12 biosites) and culture (14 cultural geosites).
Sarawak Forestry director Datuk Hamden Mohammad, who is also the State Scientific Conservation and Heritage Working Committee chairman, said the roadmap known as “Aspiring Sarawak Delta UNESCO Global Geopark” was discussed in an inter-agency workshop that began today.
“The two-day workshop involving a group of global and national geopark experts and led by Global Geoparks Network Association vice president Prof Emeritus Datuk Ibrahim Komoo will produce a detailed roadmap for the preparation of the Aspiring Sarawak Delta UNESCO Global Geopark,” he said.
Also involved were National Geopark Technical Committee chairman Prof Dr Che Aziz Ali, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute for. Environment and Development (LESTARI) lecturer Associate Prof Dr Tanot Unjah and Kelantan Mineral and Geoscience Department deputy director Dr Dana Badang.
The workshop, according to Hamden, would develop a geopark planning framework encompassing various components such as goals, vision, and objectives, natural resource conservation plans, public education plans, tourism activities, and cultural and historical preservation.
“Attaining UNESCO Global Geopark status requires continuous efforts and a high level of commitment from all parties, including the local community, the government, and various other stakeholders,” he added.
— BERNAMA