The natural resources and environmental sustainability ministry said the recognition was announced during the meeting of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in Hangzhou, China, on Saturday.

“Malaysia is proud of the achievement and recognition accorded by Unesco to two Malaysian biosphere reserves in Sabah under the MAB programme, which is Kinabatangan.

“In addition, the Crocker Range biosphere reserve, which has completed its 10-year periodic review after its recognition in 2014, has retained its status as a Unesco biosphere reserve,” it said in a statement yesterday.

The ministry, as the national focal point of the MAB programme, congratulated Sabah, saying its success was the result of the commitment of all parties, including the local community, to managing areas of biodiversity interests.

“We welcome efforts taken by the state government to nominate potential areas for future recognition as MAB sites,” it added.

It said that the Kinabatangan Biosphere Reserve, covering 413,866ha, was an important habitat to 315 bird species, 100 reptile species, 33 amphibian species, 127 mammal species, and over 1,000 vascular plant species.

The reserve is also a habitat for several endemic, rarely seen and endangered species, such as the orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis), proboscis monkey (Nasalis Larvatus), sun bear (Helarctos Malayanus), and the eight species of hornbill found in Sabah.

Apart from Kinabatangan and Crocker Range in Sabah, Unesco also recognises Tasik Chini, Pahang (2009) and Penang Hill in Penang (2021) as biosphere reserves under the MAB programme.