MIRI: Plans to upgrade the facilities and infrastructure at the iconic Niah Caves will go on despite the Covid-19 pandemic, reveals Sarawak Assistant Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting.
In 2019, the Sarawak government set aside RM52 million for the purpose, including the construction of buggy tracks and bridges.
Ting added that the present routes to the site would also be upgraded.
“New discovery of archaeological evidence of human settlement at the Niah Caves 65,000 years ago, based on a joint research between the Sarawak Museum Department and the University of New South Wales, Australia can be a powerful asset to attract visitors and generate revenue.”
Ting described the new findings as adding value to the Sarawak tourism industry.
“Previously, early human settlement in Niah Caves was recorded as early as 40,000 years ago, with the discovery of human remains, but the new findings revealed that settlement to be that some 65,0000 years ago.
“Thus, with these new findings, Sarawak has applied to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation to list Niah Caves as a world heritage site.”
