Natural Heritage in Malaysia

The UNESCO (1972) defined Natural Heritage as natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of such formations, which are of particular value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view geological and physio-graphical formations and precisely delineated areas which constitute the habitat of species of animals and plants, valuable or threatened, of particular values from the point of view of science or conservation and natural sites of strictly delineated natural areas of particular values from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty, or in their relation to the combined works of man and of nature.

Three Fascinating Natural Facts in Malaysia

1) One of the World 17 Mega-Biodiverse Countries - Malaysia ranks 14th with around 70% or more of the planet?s (terrestrial, freshwater and marine) biodiversity

2.    

        2) Home to the World Largest Flower - Rafflesia flower may be over 100 cm (39 in) in diameter and weigh up to 10 kilograms (22 lb)

3.     

        3) World Largest Cave Chamber - Mulu Cave, Sarawak with size capacity of easily fitting a Boeing 747-200

Due to the existing three fascinating natural facts, at present, Malaysia has Two UNESCO World (Natural) Heritage Sites.

1)      Kinabalu Park, Sabah

 

The site was inscribed in 2000 by UNESCO under the NATURAL criteria selection of IX and X.

Criteria IX - is an outstanding example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems, and communities of plants and animals

Criteria X  - contains the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation

 

 

2)      Mulu Caves National Park, Sabah

 

The site was inscribed in 2000 by UNESCO under the NATURAL criteria selection of VII, VIII, IX and X

Criteria (VII) - contains superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance

Criteria VIII - is an outstanding example representing major stages of Earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features

Criteria IX - is an outstanding example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems, and communities of plants and animals

Criteria X - contains the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation

 

Besides, Malaysia has proposed to include as one more potential site of the National Park (Taman Negara) of Peninsular Malaysia into the Tentative List for World Heritage Sites since 2014 which it is located across three states of Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu. The National Park (Taman Negara) of Peninsular Malaysia will be place for consideration under the NATURAL criteria selection of I, II, III, IV and VI.

Criteria I - represents a masterpiece of human creative genius and    cultural significance

Criteria II - exhibits an important interchange of human values, over a span of time, or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning, or landscape design

Criteria III - to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared

Criteria IV - is an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural, or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates a significant stage in human history

Criteria VI - is directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance.

 

Main Challenges – Maintenance of UNESCO World (Natural) Heritage Sites

          1) Tourism Sustainability Development

Infrastructure and construction activities (urbanisation), traffic congestion within the sites, influx number of visitors in the sites, zoning of protection areas and etc.

2) Human Intervention

Vandalism, littering, illegal logging, uncontrolled wildlife poaching, man-made pollution and etc.   

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Criteria of Selection http://whc.unesco.org/en/criteria/