UNESCO-aligned Gap Analysis, written for funders and assessors .
Columnar Basalt of Kg Balung Cocos, Tawau, Sabah
(What’s Missing & How NGOs Can Help)
| UNESCO Global Geopark Expectation | Current Situation at Kg Balung Cocos | Identified Gap | How NGOs Can Contribute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal Geoheritage Recognition | Site is locally known and visited but lacks formal geoheritage or protected status | No official recognition framework | Support documentation, advocacy, and technical input for district/state geoheritage recognition |
| Site Management & Conservation Plan | No structured conservation or visitor management plan | Risk of unmanaged access and gradual degradation | Assist in drafting a basic site management and conservation plan aligned with UNESCO principles |
| Interpretive Signage & Information | Minimal or informal on-site explanation | Visitors lack understanding of geological and cultural significance | Develop interpretive panels, educational signage, and multilingual explanations (BM/English) |
| Educational Programming | Occasional informal visits by students | No structured education modules or learning materials | Create school and university field guides, worksheets, and outreach programmes |
| Scientific Documentation | Geological importance known but limited public documentation | Insufficient accessible research summaries | Support geological mapping, documentation, and simplified research publications |
| Community Capacity Building | Community presence strong but roles informal | Limited training in geoheritage interpretation | Provide training for community guides, stewards, and youth ambassadors |
| Sustainable Geo-tourism Framework | Visitors arrive independently | No coordinated low-impact tourism model | Help design community-led geo-walks, visitor guidelines, and eco-tourism standards |
| Public Awareness & Outreach | Awareness mostly local | Low national and international visibility | Assist with digital content, awareness campaigns, and NGO networks |
| Monitoring & Protection Measures | Informal observation by locals | No structured monitoring system | Support simple monitoring tools and reporting mechanisms |
| Integration into Wider Geo-network | Site stands alone | Not yet linked to regional geoheritage sites | Help position the site within a future eastern Sabah geoheritage or geopark network |
The Columnar Basalt of Kg Balung Cocos possesses strong intrinsic geoheritage value, but currently lacks:
These gaps are typical of early-stage geoheritage sites and are well suited for NGO-led intervention.
NGOs play a vital role in UNESCO Global Geopark-style development by:
Targeted NGO support at this stage can prevent future damage while laying a strong foundation for long-term geoheritage stewardship.
Addressing these gaps would allow the Columnar Basalt of Kg Balung Cocos to evolve from:
A locally known geological curiosity
into
A nationally recognised geoheritage site aligned with UNESCO Global Geopark principles
Prepared as a strategic planning tool for NGOs, heritage partners, academic institutions, and conservation stakeholders.