KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is now the proud owner of a UNESCO Triple Crown site, the  third in the world to have such distinction following the declaration of the Kinabalu National Geopark as The Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark.  

Announcing this today, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said  Sabah has joined Jeju Island in Korea and Shennongjia in China for the distinction of  having three UNESCO sites. 

The decision was made by UNESCO’s Executive Board in Paris on May 24. 

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 Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and Sabah  Parks.  

“The Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark covering an area of 4,750 square kilometre, is  now officially a Global Geotourism destination adding significant value to Sabah’s  existing eco-tourism products. 

“The Geopark is home to many endemic plants and animals, including 90 orchid species  found only on Mount Kinabalu. This include the crimson-headed partridge bird not found  anywhere else on earth which will bring direct and indirect benefits to Sabah’s socio economy, particularly to more than 290,000 local communities within the district 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. 

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