KOTA KINABALU – Sabah is now the proud holder of the Unesco Triple Crown title, making it the third location in the world to house three Unesco sites.
This comes after the Kinabalu National Geopark was declared the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark.
The decision was made by Unesco’s executive board in Paris on May 24.
Announcing this in a statement today, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor said Sabah has now joined Jeju Island in Korea and Shennongjia in China as having three Unesco titles in one location.
Kinabalu Park’s two other Unesco “crowns” are the World Heritage Site declared on December 2, 2000, and the Unesco Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, declared on June 12, 2014.
“This is a great achievement for the state government under its Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya initiatives through the Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry and Sabah Parks.
“Covering an area of 4,750 sq km, the Kinabalu Unesco Global Geopark is now officially a global geotourism destination, adding significant value to Sabah’s existing ecotourism products.
“The geopark is home to many endemic plants and animals, including 90 orchid species found only on Mt Kinabalu.
“This includes the crimson-headed partridge bird, not found anywhere else on Earth, which will bring direct and indirect benefits to Sabah’s socioeconomic, particularly to more than 290,000 local communities within the districts of Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and Ranau,” he said.
With the declaration of Kinabalu National Geopark as a Unesco global geopark, there are now 195 geoparks in the world located in 48 countries.
The Unesco Global Geopark label recognises the geological heritage of international significance.
Geoparks serve local communities by combining the conservation of their significant geological heritage with public outreach and a sustainable approach to development. – The Vibes, May 26, 2023
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