Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

Kota Kinabalu: The proclamation of the Kinabatangan Biosphere Reserve as Sabah’s second Unesco biosphere reserve after the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve marks a historic achievement for Sabah and Malaysia, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said.

He said the Unesco recognition granted last year affirmed the international biodiversity value and ecological significance of the 413,866-hectare Kinabatangan landscape while strengthening Sabah’s environmental conservation efforts.

Speaking at the 12th anniversary celebration of the Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve and the Kinabatangan Biosphere Reserve declaration ceremony at Padang Merdeka on Sunday, Hajiji said the recognition is expected to boost opportunities in research, education, nature-based tourism and international collaboration.

He said the 350,584-hectare Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, declared in 2014, has contributed to Sabah attaining Unesco Triple Crown Sites status and supports more than one million people living in nearly 400 villages across 10 districts.

Hajiji said both biosphere reserves support biodiversity conservation, climate action and sustainable economic opportunities for local communities while contributing to the State Government’s Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0 agenda for 2026-2030.