Mongolia’s Natural Pearl
Mongolia is still blessed with an expansive natural landscape. Tundra, steppes, alpine and boreal forests can all be found here. The blue pearl of Mongolia — the fascinating Lake Hovsgol — lies at an elevation of 1,645 meters (5,397 feet), is 135 kilometers (84 miles) in length, and has a surface area of 1.2 million hectares (4,633 square miles). It counts among the oldest and cleanest lakes in the world. The plant and animal life here is also legendary. Elk, caribou, and the endangered Argali sheep live in the mountains where wolves and brown bears also dwell.
Threatening Developments
Streets, regional airports, and a new boarder crossing to Russia are being constructed with the hopes of giving the local tourist industry a boost. The negative impacts of these developments include unapproved camps, garbage heaps, and untreated sewage. Unguided groups and their demand for tourist activities are also becoming an increasing burden on the delicate natural balance.
Tourism versus Nature?
The national park’s 20 rangers are fighting their last stand. In addition to the vast biodiversity, traditional nomadic cultures are also threatened. The large, undamaged natural pastures that they depend upon for their caribou and yaks are shrinking. The pristine Hovsgol Lake is being polluted by construction activities and sewage. Silting and runoff is starting to murky parts of the formally crystal-clear lake.
Sustainable Park Management
Under the project framework, park rangers will be outfitted with motorcycles and GPS systems. This equipment will help them maintain better oversight of tourist groups and help monitor ecosystem health. Their housing will be upgraded to meet standards within the ecotourism industry. The traditional system of horse relay stations (Morin Ortoo) will be reestablished. These measures are designed to protect natural resources while also supporting the local population with profitable economic opportunities.