LANGKAWI: The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry has set a target to secure UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) status for Sarawak Delta Geopark and Lenggong Geopark in two years' time.

Its minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the recognition is crucial in government's agenda in securing more UGGp status for national geopark assets.

"We are still in the application process, including preparing the dossier and the submission of relevant supporting documents, thus we are committed to securing the UGGp listing for both sites by 2025 and 2026.

"We will strive towards securing the recognition although only a handful of applications for the UGGp were being approved," he told reporters after opening the 7th regional course on UGGp at Aloft Hotel here yesterday evening.

For now, Nik Nazmi said there are 11 National Geopark sites in the country with Lipis, Pahang emerged as the latest site awarded with the recognition last November.

"As for long-term planning, the ministry is applying RM1 million allocation under the 5th Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan towards assisting Kenyir Geopark in Terengganu and Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark to secure UGGp listing," he said.

Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi said the five-day course themed 'the management and the involvement of the community in Geopark' was attended by 100 participants from Malaysia as well as Indonesia and Japan.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/1043282/govt-aims-secure-unesco-global-geopark-status-sarawak-delta-lenggong-two