Malaysian State of Sabah recently unveiled its Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark at the WTM London
Sabah, the Malaysian State located in northern Borneo, has unveiled its latest offering with the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark at the ongoing World Travel Market 2023 London.
In a press statement, the State’s official tourism agency Sabah Tourism Board says that this achievement is ‘incredibly significant for Sabah’, as it became the third location in the world, after China and Korea, to attain the prestigious triple crown status.
Sabah’s two other UNESCO ‘crowns’ include the Kinabalu Park, designated a World Heritage Site in December 2000, and the UNESCO Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, declared in June 2014, says the statement. With this announcement, the global network of UNESCO Global Geoparks has grown to 195 sites across 48 countries, further solidifying Kinabalu Park’s place among the world’s most extraordinary natural and cultural wonders.
Representing the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai describes the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark as a ‘treasure trove of stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and geological wonders,’ accentuating both its natural beauty and profound geological significance.
“It is important to note that Sabah Parks plays a crucial role in the protection, management and promotion of the geological heritage within the Kinabalu Geopark. This involves making these unique geological assets accessible to the public and ensuring long-term conservation, while actively contributing to the pursuit of UNESCO Global Geopark status. Sabah is not just a destination but a pledge to preserve the planet’s natural wonders for future generations,” Bangkuai says.
The board adds that this recognition also underscores Sabah’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism practices. Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, sprawling over 4,750 sqkm and spanning three districts, including Ranau, Kota Marudu and Kota Belud, is home to numerous rural villages. These communities are paramount in preserving the region’s unique culture and heritage, adds the statement.
“The World Travel Market 2023 is a significant moment for Sabah. It is our chance to showcase our latest UNESCO crown jewel to the world, emphasising its incredible geology, rich ecosystems, local communities, and the conservation work that earned it UNESCO recognition. This recognition as the 195th UNESCO Global Geopark solidifies Sabah’s place on the world stage, and we invite the global travel and tourism community to experience the splendour of this remarkable geopark, contributing to its sustainable development and global awareness,” Bangkuai adds.
The board says that Kinabalu Park boasts unique geological formations, some dating back millions of years, in the form of rock formations, caves and intriguing landscapes. The geopark is also home to a diverse, and some endemic, range of flora and fauna. Here, indigenous communities have made sustainable tourism practices a way of life for a better future.
In addition to introducing the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, Bangkuai is also launching a bird guidebook by Sabah’s Wong Tsu Shi, titled ‘A Naturalist’s Guide to Borneo’s Birds (4th edition),’ with insights into 280 bird species, the region’s geography, climate, and top bird-watching spots, adds the statement.
