PADAWAN: Efforts to strengthen geopark development in Sarawak are gaining momentum through education-driven initiatives with the Padawan Series School Geology Tour Programme as a strategic platform to nurture awareness on the importance of preserving earth heritage among the younger generation.
Organised by the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) in collaboration with the Department of Minerals and Geoscience Malaysia, the programme forms part of the broader educational agenda under the Sarawak Delta Geopark initiative.
According to a news report by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), the programme is being rolled out in stages across three schools in the Padawan area, namely Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kambug on April 1, SK St Patrick Semadang on April 8, and SK St Bernard Sadir on April 15.
The initiative offers students hands-on exposure to basic geological concepts through field-based activities, including identifying rock types within their school surroundings and understanding their role in soil formation as well as in sustaining biodiversity.
Such exposure is aimed at enhancing students’ appreciation of the need to maintain ecological balance, while fostering a deeper understanding of how natural systems function.
In line with the aspirations of an integrated geopark development, the programme also incorporates cultural heritage elements by highlighting the traditional use of rocks in daily life, architecture, and the cultural practices of local communities – factors that collectively shape the distinct identity of the geopark.
Safety awareness is also a key component of the programme, with students introduced to potential geohazards such as landslides and erosion, enabling them to better understand the link between geological structures and natural disaster risks.
The session held at SK Kambug was attended by Head of the Geopark Management Unit of the Sarawak Forest Department, Madeline George Pau; Padawan Sub-District administrative officer, Julius Scott Sapong; and SK Kambug headmaster, Mollin Katis.
In a related development, Sarawak is poised to mark a significant milestone as the Sarawak Delta Geopark is scheduled to receive international recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark on Apr 23 this year – a move that will further elevate its profile on the global stage.
The geopark development is also expected to spur local economic growth, particularly through the expansion of sustainable, community-based tourism thus delivering direct benefits to local communities.
