Kota Belud can be developed not only as a tourist destination but also for biodiversity research, its rich flora and fauna as well as traditional knowledge related to Mount Kinabalu.

Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, said development could only begin if an area has certain unique and interesting resources, becoming an attraction for tourists, among others.

“Relying on the wealth of natural resources in terms of biodiversity, and bioculture as well as a clear direction and implementation strategy with the help of the latest technology, I believe that Kota Belud could be developed not only as a tourism centre but also as an SME centre.

“With the presence of foreign and domestic tourists, the purchasing power of locally produced goods will increase, and this will drive socio-economic growth in this district.

The success and sustainability of a programme requires commitment and self-reliance,” he said.

Ewon, who is also Kadamaian Assemblyman, was officiating the 2023 World Biodiversity Day Celebration and the Signing Ceremony of the Mutually Agreed Terms between the Sabah Biodiversity Centre and the Kg Melangkap Community, at Kadamaian Square, Friday.

Also present were Land Revenue Secretary Sernam Singh, Kota Belud District Officer Hj Bakrie Nanun, Sabah Native Affairs Council President Dr Benedict Topin and Sabah Biodiversity Centre Secretary Gerald Jetony.

Ewon added the deterioration of biodiversity resources over the past few decades affected the lives of residents when floods, long droughts and sea level rise occurred frequently.

Therefore, the act of dealing with the global phenomenon cannot be dealt with by just one country.

According to him, a new approach is necessary to ensure that the original objective of the Convention of Biodiversity or CBD to deal with the decline of biodiversity held in 1992 could be achieved. 

He said his Ministry brought the requirements of the CBD to its implementation at the State and district levels.

“I understand that Kota Belud has been selected by the Sabah Biodiversity Centre as one of the earliest areas for a project to document the traditional knowledge of biodiversity resources in Sabah. 

“I believe from the results of this documentation, we can explore new opportunities, especially in the development of IKS from the use of biological resources based on this traditional knowledge,” he said.