KOTA KINABALU: Those living near the Kinabalu Unesco Geopark should leverage on its newly-acquired status to promote nature tourism, says Datuk Christina Liew.

       The Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said the area's diversity of flora and fauna as well as the geological landscape were among its unique features.

       "Such diversity is in itself a nature-based tourism product that is of high value and needs to be tapped by local communities in Kota Belud, Kota Marudu and Ranau," she said at a ceremony coinciding with Sabah Parks' diamond jubilee in Kota Belud on Saturday (Jan 20).

       The geopark, she said, incorporates the elements of tourism, culture and environment.

       "These elements of conservation, culture and environment are interrelated and must be given a new lease of life," she said, adding that the ministry was planning new tourism products for the area.

       Liew also paid tribute to the departments, agencies, universities and non-governmental organisations for their hard work and contributions towards Kinabalu Geopark achieving Unesco recognition.

       She said the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry, Sabah Chief Minister's Department, Sabah Attorney General's Department, Unesco, Geological Heritage of Malaysia, Land and Survey Department, Sabah Minerals and Geosciences Department, Sabah Biodiversity Centre, Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Agriculture Department and Sabah Fisheries Department are among those who played a vital role over the last seven years before the area was declared a Unesco geopark in May.

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       She also thanked Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor for his leadership and support.

       Liew added that important work was put in by the district offices of Ranau, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu as well as Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), UiTM Mara and University College Sabah Foundation.