Reforestation of Sea-buckthorn Trees on the Banks of Onggi River in Mongolia

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Mongolia

Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. and Rapunzel Naturkost through the Hand in Hand Fund, Ursula Merz Foundation

NGO Onggi River Movement, United Movement of Mongolian Rivers and Lakes (UMMRL)

Background

The Onggi River and Lake Ulaan, which is fed by the river, have key functions for the ecological balance of the Gobi Desert in central Mongolia. In the last few years less water has been flowing through the Onggi River causing Lake Ulaan to dry out. Increasing desertification of the region is the result. Causes of the lack of water in the Onggi River are climate change, mining activities and incorrect water management in the catchment area. The length of the river has shrunk from its original 470 km to only 100 km. This situation led the Onggi River Movement to begin planting native plants along the banks of the Onggi River. Despite the rough climate, the plants grow well, and thanks to their storage capacity they reduce desertification. The present project proposal shall be implemented within the frame of an important environmental programme that was launched in 2004. The long-term goal is to reforest the entire banks of the Onggi River with native plants, particularly Sea-Buckthorn plants.

Project goal

The goal of the project is to reduce desertification of the region and to promote the development of the region by harvesting and selling the berries. Sea-Buckthorn grows naturally in sandy soils at an altitude of 1,200 - 4,500 metres in cold climates, but can also be cultivated at lower altitudes and in temperate zones.  Lately large areas in Mongolia and other countries have been planted with Sea-Buckthorn trees to reduce ground erosion and to use them as food and in the manufacture of medical products. As the Sea-Buckthorn berries are rich in vitamins and nutrients they are very valuable in Mongolia, a country where almost no fruit trees are grown.Selling the berries would improve the economic situation of the farmers. Comparable projects of the Onggi River Movement in other regions have proved very successful.

Project activities

Training of farmers and planting of at least 6.200 Sea-Buckthorn trees. In the framework of a pilot scheme, the first 1,200 Sea-Buckthorn trees were planted with the support of the Hand in Hand Fund. The next project phase started this year and the remaining 5,000 Sewa-Buckthorn trees will be planted until December 2011 along the banks of the Onggi River.

Two gardeners are responsible for the reforestation of one hectare land each. In total an area of 5 hectares will be planted. At the beginning of 2011, the GNF partners have assigned 10 suitable gardeners. In two workshops, organised by the NGO Onggi River Movement, the new gardeners were trained in the protection and care of the seedlings. In April, staff of the GNF partner organisation UMMRL bought fences, wire mesh and nails to fence the newly planted areas. Also in April the gardeners started fencing young plants against animal damage and prepared the soil for planting of 5,000 Sea-Buckthorn seedlings.

The project is coordinated by the GNF in close cooperation with the Mongolian nature association United Movement of Mongolian Rivers and Lakes (UMMRL), which is in charge of the project implementation. UMMRL is a union of 6 local civic movements and NGOs aiming at the protection of specific rivers and lakes in Mongolia. The NGO Onggi River Movement is jointly responsible for the implementation of the project activities.   

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