Niah Caves' Unesco Recognition Can Have Huge Impact On Country's Tourism Sector

KUCHING, July 30 (Bernama) -- The recognition of the Niah National Park Cave Complex in Miri as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site can have a huge impact on the tourism sector in Malaysia.

Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said following this, Sarawak will make a global announcement that the Niah Caves, located in the northern part of Sarawak, is another tourism product of the state.

“The Niah Caves are unique because humans inhabited the place 40,000 years ago, however, new research conducted by the University of New South Wales, Australia, found that humans lived there longer, that is 65,000 years ago, he said the after chairing a meeting of the State Anti-Drug Action Council here today.

"Many other treasures such as cemeteries, bones and turtle shells were found there. This means that once upon a time, the Niah Caves may have been near the coast."

He said in terms of infrastructure, the state government already has a detailed plan, where the town of Batu Niah which is near the caves will be developed with chalets and other facilities to make it easier for visitors to come.

“We have also informed the UNESCO officials who have come here before. All these plans require quite a large allocation, costing tens of millions of ringgit," added Abdul Karim.

The recognition of the Niah Caves National Park Complex as a UNESCO World Archaeological Heritage Site was announced during the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting, taking place from from July 21 to 31 (tomorrow) in New Delhi, India.

The decision to grant the recognition was made by 21 member states of the World Heritage Committee, chaired by a representative from India.

-- BERNAMA