Curbing Land Degradation & Protecting the Environment in Mongolia

By Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)

May 20^th, 2020

BY THE YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISTS - MONGOLIA TEAM*

The Young Environmental Journalist pilot initiative aimed at raising awareness and fostering youth engagement in environmental and human rights protection in the mining sector in four resource-rich countries: Colombia, Kenya, Mongolia and Mozambique. This initiative was organized by the joint Swedish Environmental Protection Agency – UNDP Environmental Governance Programme (EGP) in collaboration with the United Nations Volunteers’ online volunteering service.

The views expressed in this story are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the United Nations, including UNDP or the UN Member States.

* Prepared by the Young Environmental Journalists: Ariunmunkh Munkhjargal, Arushi Sharma, Avimukt Verma, Sarah Whatnall and Undarmaa Ulziibat.

Ulaanbaatar-New Delhi-Sydney-London (Inter Press Service - IPS)

Mongolia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Yet, more than 70 percent of its surface is affected by land degradation. Mining activities in several parts of the country have been a source of humanitarian and environmental concern. However, different stakeholders are coming together to work towards restoration and rehabilitation.

The Mongolian economy has been dependent on the mining sector for many decades. Seven percent of the Mongolian territory is licensed for mining exploration and exploitation. The operations of mining companies in Mongolia have negatively affected herder communities’ livelihoods, cultural traditions and access to fertile land and clean water. Increasing development of roads, railways and other infrastructures that support the mining industry in Mongolia is becoming another threat. These constructions also infringe on the snow leopard’s habitat, an animal native to the western and southern parts of the country.

Dwindling Habitats and Pasturelands

Mongolia is home to the second largest population of snow leopards in the world, after China. According to the World Bank, there are between 3,900 and 6,400 snow leopards left in the wilds of twelve countries today. Of these, about 1,000 live across the Gobi Desert and Altai regions of Mongolia. In 2009, the entire mountainous landscape of the Tost Tosonbumba region was given away to mining licenses. The mining activities have begun to encroach upon the 1,500 sq. km where the snow leopards reside in the protected areas and national parks.

At the same time, the mining has also started to have adverse effects on pasturelands. About 40 percent of the population is rural, made up of traditional herders who still follow nomadic and semi-nomadic lifestyles. Bayara Agvaantseren, Mongolia Program Director and founder of the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation (SLCF), recalled how the local people felt when the mining first started in the Tost region. They were confused and felt that their way of life was being disrupted: “By the law, the mining companies have to get their proposal to be discussed at the first level of community meetings. Then, if the community approves that company’s proposal to work in the area, they would go to higher levels of decision-making. But we saw that in the actual on-the-ground decision-making process, the discussions with the local communities are not really happening, as they are mainly being done by higher levels.”

Herders have a deep relationship with their land and the critical resources it provides—water and grazing—to support the animals that are their primary source of food and cash income. Rapidly intensifying land degradation and desertification are placing the future of traditional herders—and the integrity of the steppe ecosystems that support them—at risk. Mining exploration and exploitation is increasing rapidly in these steppes, restricting the amount of land available for herders and affecting water supplies.

Working to Retain Ecosystem Integrity

Over the last decade, the SLCF, with the Snow Leopard Trust, have been working to revoke some mining licenses within the protected areas. In 2016, a nature reserve was set up between the Great Gobi National Park and the Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park. The two national parks are now in a row, providing a much larger space for the endangered cats to roam around.

Local people were actively involved in campaigning and lobbying to make Tost a nature reserve. The foundation worked with local people to spread knowledge and make them aware of their rights to make decisions on land use. Moreover, the local people realized that their voice could be heard if they worked collectively.

One of the main Leopard Conservation Centers in Mongolia is located in Tost Tosonbum mountain, 45 km northwest of the Gurvan Tes district in the province of South Gobi. The mountain is located 2,517 meters above sea level and has steep peaks and ridges. In 2012, Gurvan Tes local representatives passed a resolution to put the mountain and its surrounding areas under special state protection. The resolution was approved by the provincial authorities during the first discussion and was supported by 81.2 percent of the district inhabitants. Photo credits: Department of Nature, Environment and Tourism, South Gobi Aimag/Province.