Kinabatangan, Sabah, Malaysia | Officially Designated by UNESCO as the Country’s Newest Biosphere Reserve

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially designated the Kinabatangan River and its area located in the Sandakan Division of Sabah, a Malaysian state located in northern Borneo in the region of East Malaysia as the country’s newest Biosphere Reserve, as reported Bernama, national news agency linked to the Malaysian government. 

The Kinabatangan Biosphere Reserve covering 413.866 hectares is crossed by the Kinabatangan River, the second longest river in the country, with a length of 560 km from its headwaters in the mountains of southwest Sabah to its outlet at the Sulu Sea, east of Sandakan, and the area is considered a significant forest corridor, linking interior rainforests with mangrove forests on the east coast.

Home to 315 bird species, 100 reptiles, 33 amphibians, 127 mammals and more than 1000 vascular plant species, the Malaysian Biosphere Reserve’s features include its status as a vital ecological area for several endangered icons such as the Bornean orangutan, pygmy elephant, proboscis monkey, sun bear and all hornbill species found in Sabah.

The reserve integrates conservation with sustainable socio - economic activities and supports research, education and the protection of local cultures. 

Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability welcomed the recognition, calling it a testament to the commitment of the state government and local communities to protecting biodiversity. 

With this designation, Malaysia now has four UNESCO biosphere reserves : Crocker Range and Kinabatangan in Sabah, Tasik Chini in Pahang, and Penang Hill in Penang.

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https://tvbrics.com/en/news/unesco-designates-kinabatangan-as-malaysia-s-newest-biosphere-reserve/