Mongolia: The 16th Northeast Asia Economic Forum Meeting
25-26 October 2007, Toyama, Japan“POLICY AND CHALLENGES
ON ENVIRONMENT INMONGOLIA”

By GANBOLD Baasanjav Ambassador ofMongolia

Environmental problems
in Mongolia
By the standards of many other countries, Mongolia’s
environment is relatively unspoilt. However, the transition has
accelerated the risks of damage and many areas of concern
are emerging including:– Land Degradation– Desertification (Climate Change, Dust and Sand Storms)– Deforestation– Decline of Water Resources– Loss of Biodiversity– Urban Air Pollution– Solid Waste– Frequent Natural DisasterLand Degradation• A degradation of ecosystem in Mongolia is still being obstacle for its
socio-economic development and economic stabilization.
• A total area of the damaged or depleted land is estimated to be
121.7 million hectares, of which:– 91.7 million hectares are by the combination of wind and water;– 21.1 million hectares by water;– 7.9 million hectares are covered by sandMain human causes of land degradation are:
• Mining is one of the rapidly growing and leading industry branches
in Mongolia causing substantial soil destruction. No proper
rehabilitation measures during and after mining.
• Overgrazing specially around settlement areas and water points,etc.
• Nearly half of the total farmland is out of use and abandoned.

Desertification
Mongolia is a country, which experiences serious
drought and desertification.
– More than 40% of the territory is composed of arid
and desert areas– 70% degraded at certain rate
– 90 % of the total territory a subject to desertification.
Current desertification has three main directions:
1. Desertification of vegetation cover,
2. Desiccation of wetland ecosystems and3. Increase of sand area.

Deforestation
Mongolia is one of the low forest cover countries. Total
forested area in Mongolia is 13 million hectares equal to 8
percent of the total land.
Management of the forest resources of Mongolia suffers fromseveral weaknesses such as:– Illegal Timber harvesting– Inadequate Forest management– Adverse human impact
In total 1.6 million ha. of forest have been lost between 1974
and 2002 due to fire, overgrazing, mining activities, improper
as well as illegal logging.

Water Resources• Mongolia has a limited water resource.
• Industry water consumption is increasing.
• Mining has harmful health impacts where mercury andother chemicals are used, leading also to downstream
water pollution impact• Content of water, used for drinking and household of
38.5% of total population settled in towns and villages, do
not meet sanitary requirements.

Loss of Biodiversity• Human pressures on Mongolia biodiversity continue togrowth.
• Mongolia harbors the last remaining populations of anumber of species internationally recognized as threatenedor endangered, including: Snow leopard, Argali sheep,
Wild ass, Saiga, Bactrian camel, Gobi Bear.
Main causes are:– Habitat loss
– Overuse– Illegal Hunting

Urban Air Pollution
Air quality is a significant environmental problem in urban
areas of Mongolia, particularly in Ulaanbaatar. Primarysources of air emissions in Ulaanbaatar are:– 3 thermal power plants– 200 small and medium sized heating boilers– 80 000 traditional Gers and wooden houses– Over 70 000 vehicles.

Solid Waste• Solid Waste is another significant Environmental
problem in urban areas of Mongolia particularly inUlaanbaatar.
• 10730 thou. cubic meter solid waste are disposed in 487
open waste dumps each year in Mongolia (2004), causing
sever health and environmental pollution.

Environmental Policy, Institutionaland Legislative Framework
Sustainable Development PolicyLegislative Framework
Basic law is “Law on Environmental Protection”
that includes 3 main principles:• prevention of adverse impacts• creation of favourable environmental conditions
for human life, labour and recreation• ensuring the development of sustainableeconomyIn total, over the 30 laws on environmental
regulations

Sustainable Development Policy
Over the 30 Environmental Programmes and Policy
Documents have been issued in Mongolia.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

National Environmental Action Plan - updated 2000
State Ecological Policy ¥1997¥
National Plan of Action to Combat Desertification
Biodiversity Action Plan
National Action Programme on Climate Change
National Plan of Action for Protected Areas
Mongolian Action Plan for 21st century ¥MAP-21¥
National Water Programme ¥WATER RENEWAL-21¥
Good Governance for Human Security Programme –2001
10. Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy - 2003
11. Millennium Development Goals, etc.

International Cooperation onEnvironment
12 International Conventions and Protocols joined
8 Agreements Between Governments and Ministries
of Environment
26 Bilateral Agreements between Ministries ofEnvironment