Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark provides benefits to the local residents

20 January 2024

KOTA BELUD: Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark (KUGGP) is able to provide benefits and economic opportunities to the local population, especially the approximately 291,300 residents in the three involved districts of Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, and Ranau.

With an area of 4,750 square kilometers, KUGGP covers 423 villages in these areas.

The Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, stated that the geopark offers various opportunities for the community, particularly in enhancing income through tourism activities and cultural preservation in the area.

He said this when inaugurating the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark (KUGGp) Ceremony and launching the Sabah Parks Diamond Jubilee Celebration at Dataran Kota Belud, here on Saturday.

“The geopark can benefit rice farmers in Kota Belud, coconut farmers in Kota Marudu, and vegetable farmers in Kundasang, Ranau,” he said.

The presence of the geopark also provides opportunities for marketing to a global audience, thereby increasing tourist arrivals.

Additionally, educational programs and awareness campaigns on sustainability practices within the geopark can add value to agricultural produce.

The development of infrastructure within the geopark, such as road networks and public facilities, can facilitate transportation of agricultural products and create new business opportunities such as homestays.

The recognition of Kinabalu Geopark by UNESCO on May 24, 2023, is seen as a significant achievement for the state government and aligns with the state's development initiatives in tourism, culture, and environmental conservation.