Sarawak seeking to list Delta Geopark Project as Unesco Global Geopark
KUCHING: Sarawak, which is home to two Unesco world heritage sites, plans to list its Delta Geopark Project as a Unesco Global Geopark.
State Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said today that the Museum Department is collaborating with the Sarawak Forestry Department to prepare for an evaluation visit by Unesco's assessor panel for the geopark project.
The visit is from June 23 to 26.
He said as part of the evaluation, the assessors will visit key sites, including the Borneo Cultures Museum, Bukit Maras and Sungai Jaong archaeological sites, and the Semeba Schist Tuang.
"This field evaluation represents a crucial step in the Delta Geopark's journey towards being recognised as a Unesco Global Geopark."
Last month, he told the state legislative assembly that the state's eco-tourism development strategy aligned with Sarawak's aspiration to have the Delta Geopark listed as a Global Geopark.
He said as a geopark, it "aims to integrate the conservation of geological, biological, and cultural heritage with sustainable development and education".
He added his ministry will incorporate the Sarawak Delta Geopark "within the broader tourism network or framework".
To do this, he said his ministry and related agencies are mapping, developing and packaging geo-tourism in the geopark area, particularly Padawan, Bau and well as Santubong.
The new geo-tourism products, he said, will be promoted through tour operators and designed to complement tourism offerings.
Sarawak's two World Heritage Sites are the Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah Caves National Park.
Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia that has more than one heritage site.
Karim said these recognitions offer opportunities to boost Sarawak's tourism sector.
Sarawak, he added, will develop marketing campaigns that highlight the World Heritage Site status of Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah Caves National Park.
These campaigns will also showcase the parks' natural, geological and archaeological feaures to attract environmentally conscious, and adventure-seeking tourists.
He said Sarawak is also collaborating with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and ICOMOS Malaysia to preserve and promote its cultural and natural heritage.
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