MN0001 Mongolia: National Parks and Integrated Programme of Protected Areas



Project Summary:

This project involves advising the Mongolian government on the importance of sustainable development, and establishing a network of large protected areas, national parks, and biosphere reserves in order to protect the country's outstanding natural habitats.
Priority Biomes % Strategies %
Forests 30Consumption & Pollution 0
Freshwater Ecosystems 40 EE & Capacity Building 10
Oceans and Coasts 0 Protected Areas 60
Non-Priority Biomes 30 Species 10
Non-Biome Specific 0 Sustainable Resource Use 20
Treaties & Legislation 0
Non-Priority Strategies 0

Project Background:

Mongolia is the only country in central Asia with high biodiversity in terms of species and ecosystems. It is unique, in comparison to other countries, in presenting most of this biodiversity in a relatively natural, undisturbed state, and it therefore plays a highly important role in the maintenance of biodiversity in central Asia, as well as regulating climate change in the region. Large areas of wilderness still exist, where protected areas (PAs) can be established to include the full range of community types, especially more fragile ecosystems.

The country has important water resources in lakes and natural rivers, and the mountainous region in the north contains large areas of virgin taiga boreal forests. The forests on the southern border of the taiga are one of Mongolia's major water catchment areas and need protecting. There are extensive steppes (vast grassy plains), including wooded steppes between the taiga forest in the north and the dry central Asian desert in the south. There is increasing pressure to exploit these natural ecosystems for intensive agriculture, forestry, and livestock raising. Agriculture has been extended into some unsuitable areas and this has led to increasing habitat degradation and soil erosion. Traditional grazing practices are changing in the face of growing privatization, under which more and more livestock are overgrazing and degrading steppe ecosystems.

Project Objectives:

1. To promote the conservation of outstanding habitats in Mongolia by raising the awareness of Mongolian authorities, scientists, and conservation groups on the increasing threats to these areas from foreign investors.

2. To prepare and help implement recommendations for conservation of selected areas.

3. To assist in training Mongolian conservation personnel.

MN0001.1: National Parks in Mongolia - Project Development Mission (Feb. 92 - Jun. 98)

Activity Background:

There is a unique opportunity in Mongolia to promote conservation-oriented development, based on the Convention on Biodiversity, under which Mongolia is committed to set aside 30% of its territory as PAs. A Mongolian project leader and a team of Mongolian experts and expatriate consultants have identified eight major regions where new, comprehensive PAs should be established. With WWF assistance, Mongolian PAs now extend over 15 million ha, or 10% of the country. This work is being carried out for the Ministry of Nature and Environment. WWF­Germany funds the basic work and helped obtain additional funding from BMZ for the implementation of two PAs.

Activity Objectives:

1. To support (through the WWF Project Office) the work of the Ministry of Nature and Environment.

2. To participate in lobbying parliament and local decision­makers.

3. To help implement management plans for Chentej, Gobi­Altai, Changai, and eastern Mongolia.

4. To complete management plans for the lake district of western Mongolia.

5. To promote conservation of endangered species, in particular Mongolian gazelle, Argali, and Kulan.

6. To provide training opportunities for Mongolia's protected area staff.

7. To produce information material.

8. To produce the following outputs:

a) A system of protected areas in the Great Lakes Basin.

b) A recommendation for the establishment of PAs developed for Altai and submitted to parliament for approval.

c) Publication of two new brochures on PAs.

d) An alternative proposal for a hydro­electric power plant currently under consideration for the Charaich river.

e) Preparation and partial implementation of conservation plans for Mongolian gazelle, Gobi bear, and wild camel.

Activity Biomes:

Marshes/Swamps.

Activity Methods:

Protected Area Establishment; Programme / Project Development.

(Concept) MN0003 Mongolia: Mongolian Gazelle

Project Summary:

This project 's purpose is to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the Mongolian gazelle.
Priority Biomes % Strategies %
Forests 0Consumption & Pollution 0
Freshwater Ecosystems 0 EE & Capacity Building 0
Oceans and Coasts 0 Protected Areas 0
Non-Priority Biomes 0 Species 100
Non-Biome Specific 100 Sustainable Resource Use 0
Treaties & Legislation 0
Non-Priority Strategies 0

Project Background:

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The population of Mongolian gazelles has declined from several millions to about 350,000. Its main distribution is limited to the Dornod area in eastern Mongolia, where the last large migratory herds number up to 10,000 animals. A few small herds exist in adjacent areas in Russia and China, and in the Gobi Altai. The main reason for the decline is habitat destruction, competition with livestock, and uncontrolled hunting. The species is an important resource for local people (meat, skins). A comprehensive conservation management plan needs to be drawn up, which will include conservation of summer and winter grazing areas, migration corridors, and a sustainable use programme.

The project concept was previously listed in the WWF Project Database as project MN0001.02.

Project Objectives:

1. To study the biology and ecology of Mongolian gazelle in order to design a scientifically based management plan for the Dornod population.

2. To identify the critical habitats on which the species depends (grazing sites, lambing areas, migration corridors).

3. To establish a system of conservation areas and initiate measures for the protection and management of the species and its habitats.

4. To promote implementation of the conservation programme through the provision of training, education, and information to the local people and management authorities.

MN0003.1: Mongolian Gazelle (Jul. 96 - Jun. 98)

Activity Background:

See Project Background.

Activity Objectives:

See Project Objectives.

Activity Methods:

Protected Area Management; Species Management.