Ulaanbaatar,
May 7, 2026 /MONTSAME/.
A discussion involving senior officials from the environmental sector and
directors of specially protected area administrations was held on May 1 at the
Ulaanbaatar Hotel.
Currently,
Mongolia has placed 120
areas covering 32.8 million hectares, or 20.8% of its total territory,
under state special protection. The country has set targets to expand this
network to 30% by 2030
and 35% by 2050.
During the
discussion, Uranchimeg Ts., Head of the Protected Areas Policy Department at
the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, stated that the “30×30” target
is a long-term global goal established under the 1992 Convention on Biological
Diversity. Mongolia has been actively participating in this process and has
already placed 20.8 percent of its territory under state protection. She noted
that achieving the 30 percent target will not be limited to state-designated
protected areas but may also include areas protected according to international
treaties and conventions. Therefore, improving the legal framework and ensuring
policy coherence are essential for achieving this goal.
She also
emphasized the need to establish an integrated, transparent, and efficient
registration and information system for protected areas.
There is a need to clearly define criteria for internal zoning within protected
areas, as well as the differing regimes for each zone. Additionally, the
objectives, protection measures, and usage regulations for different
categories—such as strictly protected areas, national parks, nature reserves,
and natural monuments—should be more clearly specified. With tourism rapidly
developing, it is important to regulate what types of activities are permitted
in each zone and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.
Oyunsuren B.,
Director of the Administration of the Zed-Khantai-Buteeliin Nuruu Strictly
Protected Area, noted that although the law adopted in 1994 was aligned with the
socio-economic conditions of that time, it now requires revision to align with
current developments and changes. One of the major challenges today is the
increasing number of herder households and livestock, which has led to
overgrazing and growing pressure to access protected areas. However,
restrictions under protection regimes limit public access, creating
misunderstandings and complaints among local communities. For instance, there
is criticism that residents are mobilized to enter protected areas during
wildfires but are otherwise prohibited from accessing them.
She also
highlighted the ongoing shortage of professional staff in rural areas. Although
Park rangers are required to have higher education, there is limited interest
and opportunity to work in remote regions. Therefore, the revised law should
include provisions to improve social guarantees for rangers and specialists,
such as housing support, livelihood assistance, and measures to increase
household income.
Furthermore, it
is important to maintain strict principles and criteria for designating
protected areas, while also incorporating a co-management system
based on local community participation. The revised law should preserve core
conservation values while introducing practical regulations that reflect the
livelihoods and interests of local residents.
Ariuntsetseg D.,
Director of the Administration of the Dariganga National Park, stated that the
revised law is a timely and necessary reform. One of its expected outcomes is
to address the livelihoods of residents living within protected
areas—particularly herder households—in an environmentally sustainable manner.
She emphasized
that conservation efforts should shift from being solely state-led to a collaborative
management model involving local communities. The draft
law reflects this approach by prioritizing local participation over a
centralized, urban-focused framework.
A notable
example is the restoration of the Ganga Lake ecosystem in the Dariganga National
Park. Ganga Lake, an ecologically significant and rare ecosystem, had significantly
degraded in recent years due to climate change. However, after being placed
under state protection and undergoing restoration efforts, it has been
recovered close to its 2005 level.
This success
not only contributes to environmental protection in the region but also serves
as a model for restoring lake and water ecosystems across Mongolia. It also
supports sustainable tourism development and creates positive impacts on the
local economy.
Overall, the
revised draft law on Special Protected Areas is seen as an important step
toward balancing environmental protection, social needs, and economic
development in line with current demands.
The discussion
aimed to improve coordination between central government agencies and local
institutions, as well as enhance cross-sectoral cooperation. Participants
highlighted that the insights and experience of local protected area
administrators—who work directly on the ground—are crucial in ensuring that
each provision of the law is practical and effectively implemented.
