Sabah Parks To Manage Conservation Of Tun Mustapha Marine Park

RANAU, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Sabah Parks will manage the conservation of the proposed Tun Mustapha Marine Park from next year, said Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

He said the proposed marine park in the north of Sabah, has an area of about one million hectares and covers the waters off Kudat, Kota Marudu and Pitas, as well as 50 islands. "The state government is working closely with Sabah Parks in its conservation efforts, for mutual benefit," he said while launching Sabah Parks' golden jubilee celebrations here, last night.

He said gazetting of Tun Mustapha Park, aimed at preserving biodiversity, maintaining a balanced development and narrowing the poverty gap at the marine park, was approved by the state government in 2003.

Meanwhile, Masidi said since its establishment 50 years ago, Sabah Parks had achieved various world status recognitions for its efforts.

Its most recent accomplishment was the recognition by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in June, of the Crocker Range Park as a Biosphere Reserve. "The nature parks play an important role in providing sustainable ecology resources such as water, clean air and traditional and modern medicine reserves.

"We support Sabah Parks' drive to preserve our natural environment for the coming generation to appreciate," he said.

Masidi said seven other parks, namely, Kinabalu Park, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Turtle Island Park, Pulau Tiga Park, Pulau Sipadan Park, Tawau Hills Park and Tun Sakaran Marine Park are under Sabah Parks' management.
-bernama.