Review and Recommendations for Re-Zoning of Khuvsgul Lake National Park
Project Number: 48216-001 Loan Number: 9183 December 2019
MON: Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Park Project
The Re-zoning of Khuvsgul Lake National Park-Final Report is a document owned by the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff.
In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgements as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. . Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
MON (9183): “Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Park Project”
FINAL REPORT ON CONSULTANCY OF RE-ZONING OF KHUVSGUL LAKE NATIONAL PARK
By D.Enkhtaivan, the Consultant
B.Munguntulga, the Protected Areas Management Specialist, the PIU
December 2019
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 1
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Contents
ABBREVIATION ...... 3 INTRODUCTION ...... 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 8 CHAPTER ONE. METHODOLOGY USED FOR THE RESEARCH ON REVISING THE INTERNAL ZONING OF THE KHUVSGUL LAKE NATIONAL PARK ...... 10 1.1 Phase for desk studies, reviews and analysis on documents from previous studies ...... 10 1.2 Field research phase ...... 10 1.3 Compiling research outcomes, making conclusing, projection, writing report and recommendations ...... 11 CHAPTER TWO. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC NATURAL FEATURES OF KHUVSGUL LAKE NATIONAL PARK ...... 11 2.1. Geographic Location ...... 11 2.2. Relief ...... 12 2.3. Watershed and Geological setting ...... 13 2.4. Climate ...... 15 2.5. Surface watershed ...... 16 2.6. Soil cover ...... 19 2.7. Vegetation ...... 22 2.8. Fauna ...... 26 CHAPTER THREE. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ...... 30 3.1. Administrative setting ...... 30 3.2. Population ...... 32 3.3. Livestock husbandry ...... 33 3.4. Infrastructure ...... 38 3.5. Land Use ...... 40 3.6. Tourism ...... 41 CHAPTER FOUR. REQUIREMENTS, JUSTIFICATION, CRITERIA, ZONES, AND BOUNDAROES OF RE-ZONING ...... 44 4.1. Current Internal Zones ...... 44 4.2. Criteria for re- zoning within the NP ...... 68 4.3. Sizes and boundaries of the internal zones, (hectares) ...... 73 CHAPTER FIVE. CHANGES MADE BY THE PROPOSED RE-ZONING ...... 91 5.1. Changes in internal zones and the actions to be taken accordingly: ...... 92 CHAPTER SIX. RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO THE PROPOSED RE-ZONING OF KLNP ...... 101 REFERENCE ...... 116
Annex 1. Official letters from soum Governors on KLNP rezoning
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 2
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
ABBREVIATION
BZ Buffer Zone CRKh Citizen’s Representative Khural GoS Governors office of Secretariat KLNP Khuvsgul Lake National Park KLNPA Khuvsgul Lake National Park Adminsitration MoET Ministry of Environment and Tourism NP National Park NGO Non-Governmental Organization PA Protected area PAMD Protected Area Management Department PIU Project Implemention Unit SPA Strictly Protected Area WH World Heritage WNBR World Network of Biosphere Reserve WWF World-Wide Fund for Nature/World Wildlife Fund
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 3
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
List of tables, graphs, diagrams and figures:
Table 1.Numbers of households and people in the KLNP BZ soums Table 2.Total numbers of herds residing the Buffer Zone, by kinds of livestock Table 3.Internal Zones and Covering Areas of KLNP (2014) Table 4. Changes in the landscape-land cover, (1985-2015) Table 5.Impacts of tourist camps Table 6.Areas affected by pastureland use Table 7.Numbers of herding families and their livestock herds from Buffer Zone soums residing within the NP, by kinds Table 8.Survey statistics on the total tourists to the NP Table 9. Covering areas of the internal zones, (hectares) in 2018 Table 10.Areas of the internal zones (by soums) in 2018 Table 11. Specific natural features of the sections in the special zone Table 12.Coordinate of the zoning Table 13.Changes within internal zones in the National Park Table 14.Total area of internal zones in 2014 and changes in 2018
Graph 1. Key climate elements Graph 2. Growth of herds in Alag-Erdene soum Graph 3. Growth of herder households, Alag-Erdene soum Graph 4. Growth of livestock of Khatgal village Graph 5. Growth of households and population of Khatgal village Graph 6. Growth of households and population in Renchinlhumbe soum Graph 7. Growth of herds in Renchinlhumbe soum Graph 8. Numbers of herder households and herds residing at more than 200 m from Lake’s shore Graph 9. Growth of population and households in Khankh soum Graph 10. Numbers of herds in Khankh soum Graph 11. Numbers of households and herds in KLNP (by zone) Graph 12. Numbers of households aand herder households of Chandmani-Undur soum Graph13. Numbers of herds in Chandmani-Undur
Diagram 1. Useful Plants recorded in KLNP Diagram 2. Forest Resources of KLNP Diagram 3. Domestic tourists in KLNP
Figure 1. Soil Distribution within KLNP Figure 2. Main plant communities within KLNP Figure 3. Locations of rare and endangered wild species within the NP Figure 4. Location of the wild reindeer Figure 5. Location of musk deer Figure 6. Locations and sizes of covering areas of the soums included in KLNP Figure 7. Seasonal pastureland use within KLNP Figure 8. Locations of herders in KLNP Figure 9. Auto Road Network within KLNP Figure 10. Internal zoning of KLNP, 2014 Figure 11.Classifications of landscape-land cover within KLNP (1985, 2015) Figure 12. Locations of ordinary pit toilet facilities Figure 13. Locations of the highly concentrated tourist and ger camps within KLNP Figure 14. Impacts of tourist camps, 2012 Figure 15. Resources of pastureland and fodder within KLNP Figure 16. Types of tourism activities undertaken within KLNP Figure 17. Re-zoning of KLNP, 2019 Figure 18. Propozed changes in KLNP-Zoomed map of Khotnii olon nuur area as a limited uze zone
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 4
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 19. Propozed changes in KLNP-Zoomed map of Khilen section area as a limited uze zone Figure 20. Propozed changes in KLNP-Zoomed map of Sagnag-Shuvtragiin uzuur area as a tourism corridor
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 5
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
INTRODUCTION
1. Khuvsgul Lake and its basin is specific with its location, land formation, and landscape. Eastern Sayan Mountain Range is continued along the altitude to the north and west of Khuvsgul Lake. The mountain range is high mountains with snow covered sharp peaks and often cut steep slopes. On contrary, the mountains along the eastern shore of Khuvsgul Lake are quite different from those on the west. The mountains continued from Trans-Baikal mountainous taiga are low and have plateau nature. Khuvsgul Lake Basin is abundant with diverse natural formations, scienic areas, and imag est e resources. Thus, the Lake and its vicinity were taken under state protection by the State Small Khural Resolution No. 11 in 1992 to preserve ecological balance and natural state and develop eco tourism (Earlier, Administration for Lake Conservation was established by the Ministers’ Council Resolution No.370, People’s Republic of Mongolia, in 1986). In 1995, a total of 838,070 hectare was designated by the State Great Khural Resolution No. 169 under the category of National Park in accordance with the Law of Mongolia on Special Protected Areas and the area was expanded in 2011.
2. Khuvsgul Lake National Park (KLNP) covers a total of 1,175,602.2 hectares including 57,323.2 hectares (4.9% of the NP’s total area) from Alag-Erdene soum territory; 85,591.9 hectares (7.3%) from Renchinlhumbe soum territory; 608,154.8 hectares (51.7%) from Khankh soum territory; 91,750.4 hectares (7.8%) from Chandmani-Undur soum territory; and 332,781.8 hectares (28.3%) from Tsagaan-Uur soum territory of Khusgul imag (province).
3. A main purpose of the National Park (NP) is to protect and preserve Khuvsgul Lake, the largest freshwater lake not only in Mongolia but also in the Central Asia, and its vicinities along with their rare and endangered wild (fauna and flora) species, to maintain ecological balance, develop tourism, ensure sustainable natural resource use, and ultimately enhance sustainable development in the region. For conservation of this naturally beautiful area, the following features are spotlighted:
1. Geographically, majority of Khuvsgul Lake Basin lie in Eastern Sayan region, which is one of the 200 globally important eco regions idefined by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Sayan region supports Eurasian biodiversity and diverse natural zones and landscapes such as high mountains with snow covered peaks, tundra, taiga, boreal forest, swampy areas, and steppe co-existing. As such, it is one of valuable ecosystems with naturally beautiful specific formations and rare wild animals and plants.
2. This is one of few regions well preserved in their natural states in the country. The region has abundant recreational resources and is ideal for tourism development so it is highly attracted by foreign and domestic tourists. In particular, the blue coloured freshwater Khuvsgul Lake, surrounding imag es high mountains with sharp peaks, middle mountains entirely covered by forest, Burenkhaan Mountain with snow covered peak, fast rivers originated from mountains, natural springs and mineral water bodies, and boreal forests (taiga) such as Khugshin and Zaluu Uur and Uilgan are much remarkable. D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 6
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
3. Khusgul Lake Basin represents parts of Eastern Sayan and Trans-Baikal regions. There are mountain tundra, meadow steppe, and boreal mountain forest landscape co- existing. Splended high mountains with snow covers, rocky areas, fast rivers, cliffs, canyons, and valleys imag est unique natural co-existince, which are a unique site for comprehensive comparative studies at the same time. Co-existence of such diverse ecosystems is important for integrated studies on natural phenomena and process, their interactions, evolution dynamics, and their causes and effects.
4. As the forest, taiga (boreal forest) and specific landscape with abundant freshwater resources co-existing in a limited vulnerable environment under the Central Asian influence is preserved, the freshwater ecosystem shall be protected appropriately.
5. This area is situated at the transition of northern temperate forest and Central Asian desert and has unique and vulnerable ecosystem, forest, boreal forest, steppe biodiversity those are interrelated.
6. The area provides a home to wild fauna and flora species populations threatened with extinction at the regional level. For instance, the area provides suitable habitats of the boreal forest (taiga) species such as musk deer, Siberian moose, brown bear, and Manul and their populations. Moreover, wild reindeer herds in Mongolia inhabit in forests and boreal forest in the region. Therefore, protection of habitats and distribution ranges of the wildlife, whose populations have been declined, contribute in maintaining ecological balance and increased breeding and restoration within their habitats.
7. Taimen, the largest species of Salmonidae in the world, inhabites in major rivers such as Eg River and its tributaries such as Uur and Khukh Rivers. Taimen, listed in the Mongolian Red Book, is highly attacted by foreign and domestic tourists. So, it is one of the species with high priority for conservation.
4. In 2014, three internal zones of the National Park were established in accordance with the Law on Special Protected Areas. However, the park still needs re-zoning in connection with some priority concerns such as effects of global warming, increasing tourism flows exceeding the landscape carrying capacity, unregulated land acquisition and licensing, overgrazing, soil and water pollution in the vulnerable riparian ecosystem. Therefore, re-zoning of KLNP has been proposed as follows: eight sections of special zone, four sections of travel and tourism zone, seven corridors and one limited use zone within the NP,
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 7
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
5. Khuvsgul Lake Basin is abundant with diverse natural settings, scienic areas, and imag est e resources. Thus, a total of 838,070 hectares of the basin was initially protected by the Government Resolution No. 31 in 1992 as “National Natural Park” and then, a National Park was established the by the State Great Khural Resolution No. 26 in 1995 to maintain ecological balance, protect and preserve natural state, and develop eco-tourism in the basin, in accordance with the Law of Mongolia on Special Protected Areas.
6. Furthermore, the park was expanded by the State Great Khural Resolution on May 18, 2011 and its covering area was increased to a total of 1,175,602.0 hectares by including the true boreal forest/taiga ecosystem and distribution ranges, suitable habitats, and breeding areas of protected rare wildlife along the eastern shore of Khuvsgul Lake. Thus, the NP includes the scenic areas representing different natural zones and landscapes along the western and eastern zones of Khuvsgul Lake those are in their natural states.
7. In relation to the park expansion, a re-zoning was done in 2014. However, the park still needs re-zoning in association with some priority concerns such as increasing tourist flows exceeding the landscape current carrying capacity, concentration of tour camps in few locations, soil and water pollution, and overgrazing in the riparian zone along the Lake. Accordingly, field studies for re-zoning proposal were assigned and done at request of the project “Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Park” being implemented in the NP. Under this assignment, two round site visits were organized within the current internal zones. The first trip was held in territories of Khankh, Renchinlhumbe, Chandmani-Undur, Tsagaan-Uur, and Alag-Erdene soums and Khatgal village, namely Doloon Mountain and Great Khoroo, Nariin Khoroo, Ukhaa, Lower Khongor Buush, and Khot Rivers those are included in the park’s special, travel and tourism, and limited use zones for a period of 18 days started from February 19, 2018. The second trip was to the soums in the NP’s buffer zone (BZ) and on the western shore of the Lake: valleys of Rivers Jigleg, Khar Us, Ongolog, Khirvesteg, Toilogt, Upper and Lower Modot Bulan, and Khuzuuvchiin Shil and on the eastern shore of the Lake: valleys of Rivers Shognog, Toi, Noyon, Turag, Sevsuul, Borsogo, lower areas of Great and Small Dalbay Rivers, and areas near Sant, Donshig, and Khilen for a period of 13 days, June 06 to 19, 2018. The fieldwork team included D. Enkhtaivan (team leader and the short-term Consultant to the Project), B. Munguntulga, the PA Management Specialist, the PIU, D. Baasandulam, the Specialist, the KLNP Administration, and G. Gundsambuu, the Project Driver. Additionally, the former and current Park Administration Directors, D. Batdelger and L. Dalaibayar respectively, the Specialist, D. Urjinbadam, and the Driver G. Gungerel joined fieldworks in Khankh, Renchinlhumbe, and Chandmani-Under soums. All supporting and documenting materials including proposed boundary lines and associated photos for the park re-zoning have been prepared by B. Munguntulga, the PIU Specialist and the data and statistics from the buffer zone soums were collected and compiled by T. Baasandulam, the Park Administraiton Specialist. Furthermore, local government officials and officers, rangers, and residents from the buffer zone soums supported and actively participated in the proposed park re-zoning related discussions/interviews and shared their comments and feedbacks. Incidentally, we D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 8
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations would like to thank all of them for their dedicated efforts and cooperation in the proposed tasks. 8. Based on the baselines collected during the two onsite missions and desk reviews of previous research materials (collected by D. Enkhtaivan between 2009 and 2015), the team has proposed re-zoning of KLNP. Covering area of the park is big and includes diverse natural settings itself. Thus, we considered a number of factors such as land formation, the landscape features, ecosystem representations, biodiversity and their distributions, tourism development potentiality, the current locations of tour camps, travel routes, residence of local herders and areas used for domestic livestock herds, pastureland use practice, and comments shared by the local government authorities, officers, specialists, and residents. The proposal for KLNP re-zoning contains eight sections of its special zone, four sections of its travel and tourism zone, seven corridors and one section of limited use zone. Covering areas proposed includes: a total of 711,318.0 hectares of eight sections (parts) of the special zone (60.5% of the NP’s total area): a section of Urandush-Ulzii Khash (108,931 ha); a section of Sayan (62,123.4 ha); a section of Kheven, Zaluu, and Uur-Uilgan (276,559.9 ha); a section of Sant (245,265.6 ha); a section of Doloon Mountains (9,774.1 ha); a section of Khankh’s Olon Lakes (274.0 ha); a section of Khaich (7,853.2 ha); and a section of the Lake’s Islands (536.3 ha); a total of 289,376.3 ha of the travel and tourism zone (24.6% of the NP’s total area) including four sections: a section of Khuvsgul Lake, a section of Great Khoroo’s Olon Lakes, a section of Shar Lake, and a section of Sagnag-Shuvtargyn Uzuur; and seven corridors (3986 ha) : a corridor of Jigleg, a corridor of Chuchuu, a corridor of Khust Ul River(Pass of Ul), a corridor of Burenkhaan, a corridor of Ganshuul-Kheven Rivers, a corridor of Uur River, and a corridor of Sant(Tsagaan kholboo lake); and a total of 175,000.7 ha of the limited use zone (14.9% of the NP’s total area).
9. The proposed KLNP’s re-zoning has been presented, discussed, and approved by the Governor’s Offices and Citizen’s Representative Khural Presidiums in 2018. (Governor of Alag-Erdene soum’s approval letter on tourism zone was received on 15 June 2018, Governor of Khankh soum’s approval letter on tourism and special zone was received on 08 June 2018, Commander of Khankh soums border control’s approval letter on special zone was received on 09 June 2018, and Governor of Renchinlhumbe soum’ official letter on disapproval of tourism zone and approval of limited zone was received on 14 June, 2018, and Governor of Chandmani-Undur soums official letter on limited zone was received on 11 June 2018). In 2019, official letters on tourism corridor was received by PIU addressed to the project from Governor of Chandmani-Undur soum and Governor of Renchinlhumbe soum dated on 23 July 2019. All soum governors’ official letters on the rezoning and unofficial translation of the documents are attached as an Annex 1 to this report.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
CHAPTER ONE. METHODOLOGY USED FOR THE RESEARCH ON REVISING THE INTERNAL ZONING OF THE KHUVSGUL LAKE NATIONAL PARK
10. With an subscription from the МОN-9183: Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Park Project, we carried out a research work directed to developing justifications for revising the internal zoning of the Khuvsgul Lake National Park Area, in following 3 main phases:
1. Carrying out desk studies, reviews and analysis on documents from previous studies and research works; 2. Conducting field research, observations, measures in the territory within the national park and collecting statistics data and information, and facilitating on site discussions to get feedback from respective stakeholders; and 3. Compiling research outcomes, making conclusing, projection, writing report and recommendations.
1.1 Phase for desk studies, reviews and analysis on documents from previous studies
11. During this phase, we reviewed and analysed academic reports, articles, statistical data, books, topographic and various thematic maps, satellite data and other documents resulted from previously conducted academic research and studies on natural states (geological features, land depression and elation, soil, vegetation, hydrological system, climate, landscape and its changes ), socio-economic (administrative data, population, livestock husbandry, pasture use, and location of tourist camps and herder families) of the Khuvsgul State Strictly Protected Area. As a result of this review and analysis, an initial version of the inner zoning of the protected area was developed, and boundaries of the area were marked on the map of scale 1:100 000, and transferred the base map into computer and necessary connections have been set up.
1.2 Field research phase
12. Developed work plan for the activities to be carried out during this phase, along with methodologies to be used. 1. Organizing discussions 2. Facilitate and conduct field research works to collect initial research data and do respective measures. 3. Establish boundaries for inner zones of the protected areas on site in detail accurately.
Discussion:
13. Discussions were organized throughout the 3 phases: a draft justification for the revision of the internal zoning of the protected area were introduced and discussed 2 times by the directors and specialists of the Department of Protected Area Management , Department of Tourism Policy and Coordination, Division of Forest, Water and Cadaster of Protected Area of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism; 1 time by staff from the Environment and Tourism Department and representatives of soums of Khuvsgul aimag, 2 times by at discussion and consultation meetings with specialists and authorities in of 5 soums of the buffer zone, and 1 time at a discussion meeting with the staff of the KLNP, and respective feedbacks and recommendations were received. Also, an introductory sessions on the
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Protected Area and its classification and internal zones were delivered to the directors of the tourist camps located in the protected area.
Facilitate and conduct field research works to collect initial research data and do respective measures:
14. During the field research: Data and statistics on state of environment and ecosystems of the protected area that are severely affected by human interventions collected. Data and statistics on number of population and herder families, number and types of livestock in the 5 soums of the buffer zone were collected and compiled. All locations of the tourist camps in the protected area, the herder families staying in special and tourist sites in the protected area were measured by GPS on site and were marked on area map. The parts of the special, tourist and restricted zones that were revised and reflected in the revised version of the inner zoning map of the protected area were measured on site specifically and their boundaries were established in detail. Around 80 families of bagh 3 and 4 of Renchinlkhumbe soum, 12 herder families of Khankh soum were informed and taught about the Protected Areas of Mongolia and their classification and inner zones.
Establish boundaries for internal zones of the protected areas on site in detail accurately:
15. The parts of the special, tourist and limited zones that were revised and reflected in the revised version of the inner zoning map of the protected area were measured on site specifically and their boundaries were established in detail.
1.3 Compiling research outcomes, making conclusing, projection, writing report and recommendations
16. The data and information collected during desk and field researches were processed, analyzed using comparison, mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS), mathematical statistics methodologies. As a result, a report covering justification for revising and re-establishing internal zoning of the Khuvsgul lake nation park, recommendations was developed along with internal zoning and thematic maps.
CHAPTER TWO. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SPECIFIC NATURAL FEATURES OF KHUVSGUL LAKE NATIONAL PARK
2.1. Geographic Location
17. Located in the north of Mongolia, Khuvsgul Lake National Park (KLNP) covers Khuvsgul Lake and its surrounding areas including Eastern Sayan Mountain and its continued mountains to the west of the Lake and the high mountains with snow covered peaks and middle mountains stretched in the south of Trans-Baikal mountain boreal forests (taiga) to the east of the Lake. The northernmost edge of the NP is the point 3,223.0 (N51˚ 05’ 55.4”,
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 11
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
E100˚ 08’ 17.06”) on Munkh Saridag Range situated on the Mongolian-Russian border; the southernmost edge is the point 2,024.0 (N50˚ 18’ 41.1”, E100˚24’ 41.7”) located in upper area of Yargis River; the westernmost edge is the point (N51˚ 44’ 54.15”, E100˚31’ 46.75”) on Noyon Mountain (3,020.3 m a.s.l); and the easternmost edge is the point (N51˚ 03’ 32.4”, E102˚ 09’ 2.9”) on Khas Eh Undur (2,636.4 m a.s.l) located on the Mongolian-Russian border. It spans for 160.58 km from the north to the south and 141.3 km, the widest, and 31.2 km, the narrowest, from the west to the east. The highest point is Burenkhairkhan Mountain peak (3,491.0) of Munkh-Saridag Mountain Range, while the lowest point is Khot River lower area (1,645.2) located in the northwest of Khuvsgul Lake.
18. The NP includes a total of 57,323.2 ha (4.9% of its total area) from Alag-Erdene soum, 85,591. Ha (7.3 % of its total area) from Renchinlhumbe soum, 608,154.8 ha (51.7 % of its total area) from Khankh soum, 91,750.4 ha (7.8% of its total area) from Chandmani-Under soum, and 332,781.8 ha (28.3 % of its total area) from Tsagaan-Uur soum of Khuvsgul imag.
2.2. Relief
19. KLNP covers the central part of Khuvsgul region, one of key natural natural belts in the country, where high mountains with snow capped peaks, middle mountains, depressions and rivers valleys between the mountains co-exist. It is mainly a mountainous area. Most of the mountains continied from Sayan-Baikal folded Rift mountain system stretched along the southernmost fringe of Siberian taiga. East Base of Sayan Mountain system was formed by tectonic movements raised at late Kaledion and Hercynian orogenic process and then adjusted and shapped by the Alps mountain- building movements to the current states, which is along the southernmost fringe of Siberian platform alongside the altitude, on the northern and western shores of Khuvsgul Lake. Eastern Sayan Mountain Range continued into the country’s territory gives quite specific formation in the NP. The region supports Asian natural assemblages on the one side and Siberian taiga assemblage on the other side. In a nutshell, Sayan region lies at the convergence of different natural regions continued into the territory so it has unique, but vulnerable ecosystem. On other hand, the transitional ecosystems are important for maintaining ecological balance within the region and throughout the country. According to the relief characteristics, the mountains located along the western shore of Khuvsgul Lake are quite different from those on the eastern shore of the Lake. Elevation ranges of the mountain are relatively high. Slopes of mountains are quite steep so their height ranges are abruptly changed within short distances. In a common picture, mountains on the west of the Lake have sharpened steep peaks with snow covers and often-cut steep slopes that are inaccessible by human and domestic livestock because of their steepness. The highest peak is Munkh Saridag Mountain at 3,491.0 m
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 12
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations situated along the state border. Its peak is at 1,850 m above Khuvsgul Lake’s water surface (at 1,645 m).
20. Mountains along the eastern shore of the Lake lie in the great region of Trans-Baikal mountainous taiga. Its relief extremely differs from that along the western shore of the Lake because it is clearly low and has plateau nature. Mountains mostly have rounded and flat tops and middle heights, 1900-2200 m. Tops of forested mountains are rarely conspecious above their forests. There is only one mountain range with a bare rounded top, called as a peak of Kheven Zaluu Uur, which is imag es at 2500-2600 m and continued imag the state border, located in upper part of Uur River. Mountains in the south from the mountain range have flat tops and are continued as massif. The mountains are cut or separated from each other by numerous rivers and streams called as Zaluu Uur, Kheven, Old Uur, Khaysal, Usan Khujir, Khuh, Uilgan, and Darkhint Arig, Uur Rivers inflowing into Arig and Uur Rivers. The mountains are continued in rows and some of them (in the east) traverse across the state border.
21. There are several major depressions of tectonic origin formed along deep tectonic fissures. One of them is Khuvsgul Lake depression, which lies in the NP. The depression is surrounded by splendid high mountains with alpine tundra and their ranges on the west and by middle mountains and flat highlands on the east. Depression occupies about 180 km distance stretched from the north to the south starting from the southern bottom of Burenkhan Mountain to Khavirga Mountain Range, which meets Eg River valley. About 140 km area of the Depression is covered by the Lake’s water. The widest part of the depression reaches 40 km in its northern part. The depression’s bottom is at 1400 m absolute height, which is by160 m lower than that of Darkhad Depression. The depression includes itself Khuvsgul Lake with the freshwater in the country. Khuvsgul Lake is the lake formed in a tectonic rift depression in mountainous areas, so that its shores are often cut and abundant by bays, islands, and steep and deep terraces with eroded rocky and cliffs.
2.3. Watershed and Geological setting 22. Lake Khuvsgul is located in the northwest of Mongolia near the Russian border, at the foot of the eastern Sayan Mountains. It is 1,645 m (5,397 feet) above sea level, 136 km (85 miles) long and 262 m (860 feet) deep. It is the second-most voluminous freshwater lake in Asia, and holds almost 70% of Mongolia’s fresh water and 0.4% of all the fresh water in the world.[1] The town of Hatgal is at the southern end of the lake. 23. Lake Khuvsgul’s watershed is relatively small, and it only has small tributaries. It is drained at the south end by the Egiin Gol, which connects to the Selenge and ultimately into Lake Baikal. Between the two lakes, the water travels a distance of more than 1,000 km
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
(621 mi), and falls 1,169 metres (3,835 feet), although the line-of-sight distance is only about 200 km (124 mi). Its location in northern Mongolia forms one part of the southern border of the great Siberian taiga forest, of which the dominant tree is the Siberian Larch (Larix sibirica),
The Southern end of the Lake as seen from the ISS in 2017.
Mongolian arats at the lake 24. The lake is surrounded by several mountain ranges. The highest mountain is the Burenkhaan / Munkh Saridag (3,492 m (11,457 feet)), which has its peak north of the lake exactly on the Russian-Mongolian border. The surface of the lake freezes over completely in winter. The ice cover in winter is strong enough to carry heavy trucks; transport routes were installed on its surface as shortcuts to the normal roads. However, this practice is now forbidden to prevent pollution of the lake from both oil leaks and trucks breaking through the ice. It is estimated that 30-40 vehicles have sunk into the lake over the years. 25. There is a roughly elliptical shaped island in the middle of the lake, named Wooden Boy Island, measuring 3 km east-west and 2 km north-south. It is located about 11 km from the lake’s eastern shore, and 50 km north of the town of Khatgal. 26. Peripheral Khuvsgul Region lies in the northern part of the Central Asian folded belt stretched along the southern edge of the Siberian Platform, which occupies the central region of Pre-Cambrian block of Tuvan-Mongolian massif with compound heterogenous formation. Bottom base of the block is conspecious (Khamar Davaa) which is the continuity of Eastern
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 14
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Tuvan Pre-Cambrian setting. Khuvsgul Depression mostly filled with thick layers of upper Riphean-Cambrian carbonates coincides at the anciend base between these imag es layers.
27. Mountains were highly affected by tectonic movements. Three major depressions formed between the lakes along the longtitute and two of them: Khuvsgul Lake Depression and Uur River Depression (included headwater) lie in this region. According to its origin, Khuvsgul Lake Depression is the end of Baikal Rift System. In terms of its structure, it is a stepwise graben formed in the Quarternary Period, according to I.A. Marinov. Basin of Khuvsgul Lake is distributed by diverse volcanic and magmatic rocks dated from the Pre-Cambrian Era to the Cenozoic Era. Moreover, the areas in the northwest of the Khuvsgul Lake are abundant by gneiss. Areas on the east of the Lake are distributed by the plutonic, methamorphic, Archaic, and Proterozoic sediments such as gneiss crystal shale, amphibolite, marble, and quartzite, while areas on the west are distributed by Upper Proterozoic limestone, metamorphic alevralites, sandy rocks, and different types of shales. Quarternary sediments of Cenozoic Era basically form sediments of lake and rivers. The Palaeozoic magma is abundant in a gabbrodiorite-plagiogranite form within Khusgul. Basalts are abundant along the eastern shore of the Lake and riparian part. In Particular, basins of Khankh, Turag, and Great Dalbay Rivers are distributed by basalts within several hundreds of square kilometres areas.
2.4. Climate
28. According to the climate regions, high mountains in the west and north west of Khuvsgul Lake and north east of Kheven Zaluu Uur Saridag are included in the region with mild wet and cool summers and harsh winters, while vicinities of Khankh, the eastern and southern shores of Khuvsgul Lake are included in the region with moderately wet and cooler summers and harsh winters. The general atmospheric circulation plays an important role in climate within Khuvsgul Lake vicinities. In addition, the micro climate influenced by high mountains plays an important role as well. Therefore, climate elements with local characteristics are unevenly distributed within the region depending on the surface formations. To assess the climate conditions, we used the 2009-2016 average monthly measurement data on air temperatures, precipitation, and wind regimes collected from the current three meteorological stations and three observation guards located in the NP.
29. According to the long term measurement data, duration of sun shine in the areas at up to 2000 m a.s.l. along the Lake is 2600-2800 hours a year, which is 60-65% of its potentiality. In summertime, the total sun shine duration gets longer lasting for 280-300 hours (in May) as daytime period becomes longer, on contrary, in wintertime it gets short nearly two times less to 120-150 hours (in December). Numbers of cloudy days are not more than 1-3 days a month and 10-20 days a year. Mean air temperature in the coldest period or January is -24.50 С, while the mean air temperature is +14.50С in the hottest period or in July a year. However, the mean air temperatures vary on the western and eastern shores of Khuvsgul Lake. For instance, the average air temperature in January is -31.80C in Rechinlhumbe soum in the northwest, while it is -24.50C in Chandmani-Undur soum, -23.60C in Khatgal, and -19.80C in Khankh located on the eastern shore of the Lake. The average air temperature in July is +14.60C in Rechinlhumbe, while it is +17.40C in Chandmani-Undur and +13.40C and +13.30C D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 15
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations in Khankh. It means, the average air tempatures are lower by 5-60C in winter and 2-30C in summer on the west of the Lake compared to that on the east of the Lake. Frost-free period lasts for 86-104 days, the maximum 105-134 days. Cold season usually starts at the end of October and lasts for 140-170 days. These data show that winters are longer and cold, summers are brief and warm, and springs and autumns have high fluctuations air temperatures. According to the data on air temperatures in the region, fluctuations in diurnal air temperatures are low in winters and high in summers. The region receives different amounts of precipitation depending on the orogenic system and elavations. Most of precipitation occurs in frost-free or warm seasons. According to the last decade measurement data on mean annual precipitation, there were 316,7 mm of rainfall in Renchinlhumbe, 314.9 mm in Chandmani-Undur, 336.0 mm in Khankh, 213.3 mm in Tsagaan-Uur, and 299.4 mm in Khatgal area. Snow covers stay unevenly, and its thickness is meanly 5-10 cm and up to 40 cm in some areas. It starts to snow usually in the beginning of September, in autumn.
Meteorological measurement data
30 20 10 0 -10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9101112 -20 -30
Air temperature Rainfall Wind speed
Graph 1. Key climate elements
30. Snow cover starts to melt and disappear in early April, so it stays for 120-150 days in average. Snow water provides for 5-10 percent of the total annual precipitation. Regarding the wind regimes, prevailing winds are from the west and northwest along the Lake shores throughout a year and speeds of the prevailing winds reach 1.3-3.8 m/sec. However, wind speed in the mountain taiga (boreal forest) areas in Renchinlhumbe and Tsagaan Uur soums that are far away from the Lake is 0.9 m/sec.1
2.5. Surface watershed
31. Within the KLNP, atmospheric moisture is relatively high and imag est e is low so that the water network is of high density and it contains abundant fresh water resources. It is regareded as one of the “core” feeding area of surface run-off in the country. Rivers and lakes in the NP belong to the Artic Ocean basin. Main characteristics of the rivers and lakes in the region include: they are originated from tops and slopes of high mountains with permanent snow covers, water falling down is abrupt and has high level run-off module; they often run
1 A source: Long term (2009-2017) meteorological measurement data, NAHMEM D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 16
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations through V shapped short vallyes, dearth of flows is relatively low, they are flooded intensely within shor periods of time.
32. In addition to the Khuvsgul Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Mongolia and the Central Asia, there are some fast watery rivers such as Zaluu Uur, Kheven, Rashaant, Khukh, Darihint, Khalkhan, Arig, Uur, and Uilgan Rivers started from mountains. These rivers inflow into Eg River and provide for certain portions of outflows of Selenge River, a main tributary of Baikal Lake.
33. Furthermore, there are Khoroo, Khoton, Mungarag, Khongor and Buush Rivers fed by glaciers and permanent snow on Munkh Saridag Moungain and other numerous small rivers, streams, and ephemeral channels with carst influences those are fed by rainfall located on the southwestern shore of the Lake. Forest and permafrost dynamics are a key regulator of water regimes of all the rivers inflowing into the Lake. Average density of river nertwork is 0.05 km/km2 in the country and 0.43 km/km2 in Khuvsgul mountainous areas.
34. According to the measurement data, the NP receives 250-400 mm of precipitation in summer and which provides for majority of water imag est e e in rivers. Hydrological network density is 0.6-0.7 km/km2 in upper areas of Zaluu Uur, Kheven, and Rashaant Rivers and 0.4-0.6km/km2 in middle bodies of rivers. Average annual flows are 100-200 mm in upper areas, 50-100 mm in middle areas, and less than 50 mm in lower Arig-Uur River delta.
35. According to the 2016 provincial water resource inventory data, there were 23 rivers and streams, three lakes, and 53 natural springs recorded in Alag-Erdene soum territory; 86 rivers and streams, 10 lakes, 24 natural springs in Renchinlhumbe soum territory; 192 rivers and streams and 32 natural springs in Tsagaan-Uur soum territory; 44 rivers and streams, 11 lakes, 10 natural springs in Khankh soum territory; and 40 rivers and streams, three lakes, and 36 natural springs recorded in Chandmani-Under soum territory.2
36. In Mongolia, Khentii aimag (province) is leading and Khuvsgul aimag (province) is the second in their surface water resources. The total surface water resource is 6.50 km3 and 2.46 km3 of which is ground water resource. From this point of view, a priority should be given to an integrated ecosystem approach to the conservation of surface water resources, namely heads of rivers and other water bodies in Khuvsgul imag in close relation to the global warming. Rivers in the province are abundant by hunting fish species and runs through naturally scienic areas. Therefore, it is ideal for tourism development including sports or fly- fishing.
Descriptions on some major rivers:
37. Eg River is the sole river starting from the largest freshwater lake, Khuvsgul, in Mongolia. Its water catchment is 40,454 km2, its total length is 475 km, and water fall imag es is recorded as about two meters every imag est of 815 m within its total
2 Report on Water Resource Inventory of Khuvsgul Aimag, 2016. D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 17
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
imag . The river bottom is distributed by pebbly sediment and there are rapids in some parts with abrupt water fall. Eg River runs between forested and rocky low mountains. Mountains nearby on the both sides are close at 100-150 m in some parts. Its riverbed is 20- 70 m wide with the distance up to Uur River tributary and 50-170 m wide in further down from Uur River. Eg River is abundant with abrupt water falls, so its water depths vary throughout the river. Water flow speed is 3.0-4.0 m/sec in its shallow parts up to 0.30 m while it is 0.6 m/sec in its deep parts and pools. Water regimes and levels of Eg River are quite stable up to Uur River tributary and a dearth of water does not exceed 1.0 m of water table because its flow is regulated and replenished by water of Khuvsgul Lake. In further down from Uur River, however, water regimes are clearly different as replenished by snow melting in springs and rainfall in summers. Average longterm water discharges of Eg River are 23.8m3/sec in Khatgal, 9.13 m3/sec in Alag-Erdene, 18.5 m3/sec in Erdenbulgan, and 21.5 m3/sec in the continued part from Uur River originated from Sant Mountain in Tsagaan-Uul vicinity. In Eg River basin, flooding water of strong rains and showers in summers is much higher than water flows from melting snow in springs. The maximum discharge reached 2100 m3/sec in 1986. The biggest tributaries of Eg River are Uur, Eren, and Tarvagatai Rivers.
38. Uur River starts at the confluence of the major rivers such as Zaluu Uur, Khugshin Uur, and Khukh Rivers originated from Kheven Zaluu Uur Mountain or the eastern end of Eastern Sayan in Khuvsgul Region. Also, the different sized rivers such as Arig, Uilgan, Armag, and Deerh inflow in Uur River. The total imag of Uur River is 331 km and its water catchment area is 12,300 km2. In addition to the tributaries, the river is fed by rainfall (rain and snow) water. Hydrological network density is 0.06 km/km2, average annual water discharge is 47.0 m3/sec or almost similar to that of Eg River.
39. Arig River starts from the confluence of Yargis River originated from Yargis Mountain and Tseger, Bor, Burgast, and Olgos Rivers. The river is inflowed by Khalkhan, Darikhint, and Bayangol Rivers in the north and by Badar River in the south and then it inflows into Uur River. Originated from a mountain, Arig River is abundant by rapids. Its flow speed is 1.0- 2.0 m/sec and its water table is rapidly increased due to flow water from snow melting for a perod starting from late April to early May and then shortly decreased afterwards. Water table is stable for a period from mid May to late June. During rain flooding (July to late September), the river’s water level is raised and then shortly dropped. The two rivers are abundant by hunting fish species and run through naturally scienic areas. Therefore, it is ideal for tourism development including sports or fly- fishing. 40. Khuvsgul Lake is the biggest by covering area and water volume and depth in the country and in the Central Asia. It covers 2620km2 and its depth is 262 m. The Lake is specific with its abundant freshwater resource. Khuvsgul Lake is formed in a tectonic rift
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 18
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations depression in mountainous areas, so its shores are often cut and abundant by bays, islands, and steep and deep terraces with eroded rocky and cliffs. Only one river outflows from Khuvsgul Lake and the Lake is supplied by water from 5300 km2. There are four islands Khadan Khui, Dalain Khui, Modon Khui, and Baga Khui in the Lake. Baga Khui Island has become unconspicoues since 1971 due to the Lake’s increased water table. Among the islands, Dalain Khui is the biggest; which is 126 m high above the Lake’s surface water; 3 km long, 2 km wide, and 5.8km2 in its total covering area. The island is entirely covered by forest and its shoreline 8.5 km. Khusgul Lake is quite deep so its water volume is enormous, 317.5 km3 (V.M. Malishev). 69% of the Lake’s total area is deep more than 100m, while 15% is 0- 50m deep. In the riparian zone, except for delta and bays of tributary rivers, the Lake’s bottom slopes are steep so the water depths reach 100-200 m immediately at 1-2 km distances from the Lake’s shore. The Lake’s water temperature regimes differ from those in other lakes in the country because absolute hydrospheric height is at 1,645.0 m a.s.l. The Lake’s water is the coldest among major lakes in the country since its surface water temperature does not exceed 180С. In summer, the Lake’s water on its surface or at up to 50 m from its surface warms up and shows direct sequential degrees in summers, but the degrees in inverse order in winters. For instance, the water temperature in August were as follows; 9.60C on the surface, 3.90C at 10 m depth, 7.20C at 25 m depth, 4.60C at 50 m depth, 3.90C at 100 m depth, and 3.70C at 200 m depth. According to the water temperature measurements in 21 designated points, differences in water temperatures were high, but no differences were observed below 50 m depth. It begins to ice over the Lake at the end of December and to freeze in January. Ice breaks in May and is still kept in the Lake in June. Colours of the Lake’s water are green blue in its shallow parts and slightly blue in deep parts, but changeable in seasons. Khuvsgul Lake is fed by the rivers originated from high mountains with permanent snow caps, permafrost, and forest and middle mountains in its surrounding areas and plays an important role in making the basin’s climate mild. High mountains on the west of the Lake have steep slopes and prevailing wind is from the west. Thus, the Lake’s influence is relatively less on the west. On contrary, mountains on the east of the Lake are low and have flat tops and prevailing wind is from the Lake to its shore. Thus, the Lake’s influence covers quite large areas. The influence is clrealy seen in forests, taiga, vegetation compositions, river and stream network per unit area, and density of lakes and ponds on the east of the Lake. It is estimated that the Lake’s influence is seen at least at 500m and up to 2.5 km distances of mountain slopes in warm and cold seasons respectively and at 40-50 km in river valleys. However, the Lake’s influence zones vary depending on directions and speeds of wind.
2.6. Soil cover
41. The soil-geographic regions, the territory of KLNP lies in a Khangay region of great Central Asian region. Soil cover of the NP is well imag est in relation to the climate condition (Figure 3). Areas along the western shore of the Lake is mountainous, so its soil distributions are mainly influenced by vertical zonation features and also by overall stretches, continued parts, laterial directions, valleys, and depression shapes to certain extents. From tops to bottoms of the mountains, there are several vertical zones imag est, but soils on northern and southern slopes of the mountains vary. Mountains along the western shore of Khuvsgul Lake are distributed by mountain taiga carbonate turfy and mountain tundra soils. D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 19
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Upper boundary of taiga (boreal forest) reach 2100-2200 m a.s.l. and flat tops at above these heights are dominant by tundra peaty-glaeye and tundra turfy soils. The southern part of the district is abundant by mountain meadow carbonate humus soil.
42. Mountains on this side mostly contain limestone so remnant carbonate soil is abundant there. Taiga (boreal forest) zone is dominant by mountain taiga carbonate turfy soil. Northern slopes of mountains are distributed by taiga permafrost soil, while southern slopes of mountains are sparcely distributed by mountain black dirty soil. Narrow mouths and valleys between mountains are distributed by meadow and meadow marshy soils, which are developed over river sedminents. In upper areas of the taiga zone, the mountain permafrost taiga soil, whose top is affected by iron oxidization, is stabilized and meets the tundra soil. In the mountain taiga, small spots of steppe-like black dirt soil occur in particular in vast valleys and mouths of mountains.
43. Areas along the eastern shore of the Lake are distributed by mountain taiga ordinary turfy soil; northern slopes of mountains are distributed by permafrost-taiga soils, while southern slopes of mountains are distributed by mountain forest dark, mountain meadow black dirt, and mountain black dirt soils. There is mountain steppe soil zone moderately stabilized on southern slopes of mountains. Valleys and mouths between mountains are vast, so there are meadow and meadow swampy soils, and river sediments are relatively well developed. Moreover, remnant carbonate soil occurs in the mountains containing limestone (e.g. Badar Mountain Range).
44. Soil cover characteristics in the eastern riparian zone along Khuvgul Lake differ from that in the western zone. This zone is dominant by sandy non-carbonate soil. Covering area of high mountain soil is rather less, no salty (halophytic) soil occurs, but meadow swampy permafrost soils covers large areas because mountains in the vicinity of eastern shore are relatively low, distributed by basalt and granite, and prevailing wind is from the west. Soils in forested areas are thin and sandy and have permafrost. In addition to these specific features, roots of trees typically lie near the surface of soil, not into ground, so that some trees are easily fallen down by strong wind. River valleys are distributed by alluvial meadow permafrost and alluvial swampy permafrost soils. Southern slopes and bottoms are distributed by non-carbonate sandy brown soil under mountain steppe vegetation.
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 20
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 1. Soil Distribution within KLNP3
45. Eastern shore of Khuvsgul Lake is largely distributed by sandy soil, mainly unvegitated deep sand cover. Thus, the soil cover is vulnerable to erosion (O. Batkhishig, 2009). Researchers highlight that permafrost layer of taiga soil is likely to be affected and meadow- swampy soils are likely to be steppe-like and dry due to ongoing global warming.
3 О.Batkhishig, 2015 (Figure from the Report on Baseline Studies on KLNP) D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 21
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
2.7. Vegetation
46. KLNP has vegetation of four sub-zones: alpine (mountain tundra), tundra, sub-alpine, and taiga forest (mountain boreal forest). Most of the NP are distributed by the middle mountains, whose tops are rarely seen above forest zone. Thus, forest and taiga vegetations are abundant. Mountains in the NP have so steep slopes with high amplitudes, so high mountain belts are clearly seen. Vegetation covers create their specific belts in the areas starting from meadows and swamps in lowlands to tundra and sub-alpine in highlands.
47. Areas on the western shore of Khuvsgul Lake are distributed by alpine with snow capped peaks and bare sub-alpine, while areas on the eastern shore are dominant by dense taiga forest (boreal forest). According to the botanic-geographical regions in Mongolia, vegetation covers of peri-Khuvsgul areas lie in four botanical sub-districts: Busuin Gol Depression, Darkhad Depression, Ulaan Taiga-Khoridol Saridag, and eastern shore of Khuvsgul Lake belonging to two districts of Western and Eastern Khuvsgul of Altay Sayan region with boreal (moist) vegetation of great region of Eurasian coniferious forest and meadow steppe4 (National Atlas of Mongolia, 2009). Areas on the western shore of Khuvsgul Lake or areas at above 2,700 m a.s.l. are distributed by lichen bearing alpine (Cladonia alpestris, Cetraria cuculata); areas at 2,500-2700 m a.s.l. are distributed by betula exilis – mountain Avens bearing mountain tudra vegetation (Dryas oxiodontha, Betula rotundifolia); areas at 2300-2500 m a.s.l. are distributed by grass-bog sedge bearing high mountain meadow vegetation (Kobresia bellardii, Hierochloea imag ); areas at 1850-2300 m a.s.l. are distributed by sub-alpine shrubbery and semi-shrubbery larch forests (Larix sibirica, Betula rotundifolia, Ledum palustre, Rhododendron aureum, Rh.parvifolium), sub-boreal Rhytidium moss-grass-cowberry bearing larch forests (Larix sibirica, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Calamagrostis krylovii, Rhytidium rugosum); and areas at 1800-2000 m a.s.l. are distributed by forest zone. Steppe zone consists of mountain meadow steppe, high mountain steppe, and typical mountain steppe, distributed at 1750-2000 m a.s.l. 48. The meadow steppe is distributed by Helictotrichon schellianum, Festuca kryloviana, Carex pediformis, Pulsatilla campanella), the high mountain steppe is by dominant sub- dominant (Festuca lenensis, Poa imag est, Kobresia bellardii, K.filifolia, Oxytropis tragacanthoides), and the typical mountain steppe is distributed by Artemisia – Stippa bearing steppe (Festuca lenensis, Poa imag est, Koeleria macrantha, Agropyron cristatum, Stipa krylovii, Artemisia frigida) (Figure 2).
49. Along the eastern shore of Khuvsgul Lake, areas at above 2400 m a.s.l. are distributed by sparse alpine vegetation (Rhodiola quadrifida, Saxifraga hirculus, Draba lanceolata). The alpine tundra is distributed by Dryas oxyodontha, the alpine meadow is dominant by Kobresia simpliciuscula, K. bellardii, Hierochloea imag , Carex pediformis) bearing meadow. The forest zone consists of four sub-zones: sub-alpine woodland, taiga (boreal coniferious forest), sub-taiga, and pseudo taiga, situated at 1500-2400 m a.s.l. The sub-alpine woodlands are pine bearing shrubber and semi-shrubbery larch (Larix sibirica, Pinus sibirica, Ledum palustre,
4 A source: National Atlas of Mongolia, UB.,2009 D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 22
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Rhododendron aureum, Caragana jubata) forest. The sub-taiga belt is distributed by bluberry –cowberry bearing larch (Larix sibirica, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, V.uluginosum) forest. The sub-taiga forest is dominant by spur and larch (Larix sibirica, Picea obovata) forests, while the pseudo taiga consists of forb, sedge bog bearing larch (Larix sibirica, Iris ruthenica, Carex amgunensis, Vicia baicalense) forests. Khuvsgul Eg-Uur sub-district belongs to the southern Trans-Baikal region. Southern slopes of mountains in this sub-district are distributed by Filifolium sibiricum, Carex pediformis, Amygdalus pedunculata, Spiraea aquilegifolia bearing communities and vast river valleys are distributed by Stipa sibirica, S.baicalensis, Festuca sibirica, Carex pediformis, Filifolium sibiricum, Dasiphora fruticosa, Spiraea aquilegifolia meadow steppe communities (Figure 2).
50. Alpine and high mountain vegetation occurs in upper areas of high mountains, but its distribution and occurrence varies depending on absolute elevation heights and depression reliefs. Lower boundaries of its distribution also vary and occur at 2000-2200 m a.s.l. Plants included in high mountain vegetation compositions sparsely grow and occur because of heights (elevations) and coldness. In this zone, plant species are extremely poor and lichen and moss are dominant. Lower edges are distributed by sparse and low bushes of the species.
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 23
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 2. Main plant communities within KLNP
51. Alpine tundra vegetation: alpine tops are mainly distributed by lichen and moss between and on rocks. These are key species eaten by reindeer. In the areas with alpine vegetation, bushy plants are sometimes grown in the parts meeting upper boundaries of forests. There are sparse pine stands growing.
52. Forest vegetation: according to the forest-vegetation regions, the park entirely lies in Southern Siberian and NorthernMongolian mountain taiga forest region of Trans Baikal’s great region. In this region, dense and tall larch and birch forests are mostly grown and pine and spur mixed forests are grown in some areas. Plant communities are dominant by mossy, herbaceous, and shrubbery plants bearing larch forests in the area. Floodplains of major rivers such as Uur, Uilgan, Khukh, Saravslag, Tsagaan, and Ikh Khyasal are distributed by Colligonum bearing swampy, grass-forb, and forb bearing meadows with poplar and shrubs
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 24
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations co-exist. Floodplains of most tributary small rivers originated from mountains are dominant by swampy meadows with shrubbery stands.
53. The region is dominant by the middle mountains those are mostly at same heights with the forest zone. Thus, it is dominant by forest and taiga plant communities. However, tops of the high mountains such as Kheven Zaluu Uur are distributed by alpine tundra and meadow vegetations. Amongst, the shrubbery and mossy communities are distributed in the centre of Kheven Zaluu Uur Mountain top and high mountains located in the basin of Khukh, Yalar, and Khugshin Uur Rivers. The Cobrezive-mossy and shrubbery plant imag est e are distributed in upper area of Saravslag River and on the northern top of Zaluu Uur Moutain. Rare and very rare plants in the tundra vegetation include the species such as Rhododendron parvifoluim and Rh.adamsii from the shrubbery plants and most are Carex bigelowii, C.stenocapra, C.melanontha, Kobresia bellardii from the herbaceous plants. These tundra plant communities are included in the Southern Siberian-Northern Mongolian geographic plant communities.
54. Moreover, the alpine vegetation cover is also dominant by alpine and swampy meadows. The alpine meadow unevenly occurs on various surfaces starting from bottoms to tops (2,400 m) of high mountains. Particularly, the species of Carex are distributed in basins of Zaluu Uur, Khukh, Uur, and Darhint Rivers and most of them are rare and endemic to this area. The swampy meadow is dominant by the Carex enervis, which is mostly distributed in vicinities of rivers, streams and natural springs. The meadow occurs in canyons, valleys and mouths, depression wetlands, and depressions in northern valleys and on tops of mountains.
55. In taiga (boreal) forests, the larch and larch-pine forests are dominant. Lower boundaries of the forests are at 1,500-1,600 m a.s.l. while their upper boundaries are at 2,200 m a.s.l. and above which or at 2,400 m a.s.l. sub-alpine woodlands occur. Some river basins, poplar and forb-sedge bearing plant communities occur in limited areas. In vegetation covers, the poplar such as Salix viminalis, S.pyrolifolia, and S.rhamifolia are abundant and the Carex dichroa is dominant. These poplar and sedge species are listed as rare plants. In some areas, the alpine shrubs (e.g. Betula rothundifolia, etc.) occur.
56. There are over 200 medicinal and useful plants growing along Khuvsgul Lake. For instance, the plants such as Gentiana decumbens L., Gentian algida, Sanguisorba officinalis, Gentiana macrophylla pall, Juniperus Sabina, and Polygonum viviparum are abundant. Moreover, there are very rare plants such as Saussurea involucrate, wild onion, and Cypirpedium macranthum growing (Figure 3). Distribution and occurrence of these plants are uneven and sparse. Their seed maturity is often affected by cold weather and seed growths are poor so that their regenerations take long. Apart from the medicinal and useful plants, there are the wild berries such as cowberry, imag est, Ribes altissimum, redberry, Padus asiatica, Grataegus sanguinea, strawberry, and Rosa acicularis, and cedar nut growing with abundant resources (Diagram 1).
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 25
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Useful plants recorded in KLNP
Water Decor purifing plants plants 3% 11%
Useful plants 2%
Technical Medicinal plants plants 11% 60% Nutrition plants 13% . Diagram 1. Useful Plants recorded in KLNP
2.8. Fauna
57. Specific orogenic system, land surface, and landscape of the NP provide for the unique wildlife habitats including natural distribution ranges, breeding sites, and sheltering or dwelling niches for rare, very rare, and endangered wildlife species in the country. It is one of the naturally well preserved areas in the country. There are over 60 mammal species distributed in vicinities of Khuvsgul. Amongst, there are six species of two genera of two families of imag est e; five species of three genera of one family of chiroptera; four species of two genera of two families of lagomorpha; 23 species of 14 genera of five families of rodentia; 17 species of 11 genera of four families of carnivore; and eight species of eigth genera of four families of ungulate.
58. Majority of the mammals recorded include the red deer, wild pig, brown bear, moose, musk deer, squirrel, roe deer, boreal shrew, Lease shrew, forest vole, Norhtern pika, Alpine weasel, Siberian chipmunk, and Royle’s mountain vole those are distributed in the northern forests and taiga. Also, the Mongolian marmot and wild pig inhabit permanently. Forested middle and low mountains often cut by meadow-like narrow valleys of big and small rivers provide suitable habitats of wildlife, namely diverse species of carnovores and rodents.
59. According the geographic distribution regions of mammals in Mongolia, the NP lies at the convergence of forest steppe and taiga (boreal forest) sub-districts (circles), where southern section of Khuvsgul is the forest steppe, while the rest are the taiga circle. Out of the about 60 mammal species recorded in the NP, over 10 species are game species. Populations of the species, namely the wild reindeer, Siberian moose, red deer, musk deer, and sable have been declined to certain extents within their distribution ranges (Figure 3).
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 3. Locations of rare and endangered wild species within the NP
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 4. Location of the wild reindeer
60. For insance: Reindeer (willd reindeer): is the alpine ungulate, which is occasionally found in Khuvsgul area, the southernmost edge of its natural distribution range in Asia (Figure 4). Before, the species inhabited permanently near upper area of Uur River (the species used to graze in the sub-alpine zone with alpine lichen, moss, sedge, bushes, and shrubs above taiga (boreal) forest boundaries in warm seasons and stayed in forest in winters). Some years ago, its population was likely to decline, but it is likely to increase in recent years according to the park rangers and researchers. However, no comprehensive studies on the species population and distribution have been conducted yet.
Siberian moose its population is small or about 100 individuals and its distribution range is also limited within the NP. The species only inhabited near upper areas of Uur, Saravslag, and Kheven Rivers. Its population has declined due to illegal hunting.
Red deer is distributed in taiga (boreal) forest within the NP, but its population has been considerably declined due to illegal hunting lately in connection with the market conditions. According to the informal reports, there are about 500 red deer individuals inhabiting.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Musk deer its population has been declining. There are approximately 900 musk deer individuals currently counted. The species is distributed within the NP, but its core distribution is upper part of Uur River (Figure 5). Among the mammals recorded in the NP, three species (Siberian mole, musk deer, and moose) are listed in the Red Book of Mongolia; two species (Wolverine and grey wolf) are included in the IUCN Red List; two species (Siberian moose and red deer) are included in the List of Rare and Very Rare Wildlife Species, and two species (musk deer and brown bear) are listed in CITES.
Figure 5. Location of musk deer
61. Areas designated in the KLNP provide for home and stopover points to many avian species. There are 263 bird species of 46 families of 16 orders recorded in the NP. Out of them, 45 species are residents, 163 species are breeding visitors coming to this area for nesting, and 30 migratory species stopover in the NP on their flyways.
62. There are numerous avian species distributed in the NP, where alpine tundra, high mountains, taiga (boreal) forests, rivers, and lakes co-exit. For instance, there are 105 bird species in forests, bushes, shrubs, and poplar stands along rivers, 100 species in wetlands, 13 species in alpine tundra, and 28 species recorded in rocky and bushy environments. Amongst,
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 29
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations seven species (Black stork, Bar-headed goose, Whooper swan, Osprey, White-tailed sea eagle, Hooded crane, and Great bustard) are included in the Mongolian Red Book; the birds such as Hooded crane and Whooper swan are listed by the Law of Mongolia on Fauna as “Very Rare Species”; nine species of birds are listed by the Government Resolution as “Rare Species”; and 41 species are listed in CITES. In a nutshell, out of the birds distributing within the NP, there are 2.4 percent listed in the Mongolian Red Book, 14.3 per cent included in CITES Appendices 1 and 2; 3.1 per cent listed as “Rare Species”, and 0.7 percent listed as “Very Rare Species”.
63. Witin the NP, Khuvsgul Lake (MN035) and lower areas of Khoroo and Khodon Rivers are regarded as importand bird areas (IBAs).
64. Khuvsgul Lake-Eg-Uur River Basin supports main portions of the fish resources in the country. Researchers already recorded a total of 18 fish species of 10 families in the basin. The species such as Taimen, Artic grayling, Perch, Lenok, and Gold fish are abundant in Eg, Uur, and Uilgan Rivers. The Artic cisco and Kosogol grayling only inhabit in Khuvsgul Lake.
65. The reptiles recorded in the NP include four species: Viviparous lizard (Zootoca vivipara Jacquin, 1787), Grass snake (Natrix natriz Linnaeus, 1758), Common northern viper (Vipera berus Linnaeus, 1758), and Central Asian viper (Gloydius halys Pallas, 1776). The Viviparous lizard is recorded as least concern in the international and regional Red Lists and 25 percent of its distribution range is included in the NP.
66. The grass snake is recorded as near threatened and as least concern in the Red Lists according to the regional and international assessments repectively and 11 percent of its distribution range is included in the NP. The common northern viper is listed as vulnerable according to the regional assessment, but no international assessment has been done for the species yet. Nine percent of the grass snake’s distribution range and 12 percent of the Central Asian viper are included in the NP. The Central Asian viper is listed as least concern as per the regional assessment, but no international assessment has been done for the species yet.
CHAPTER THREE. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
67. KLNP includes itself territories of five soums (sub-provinces) and one village of Khuvsgul aimag (province) and covering area sizes and socio-economic development states of the soums and village vary.
3.1. Administrative setting
68. The NP covers territories of Alag-Erdene soum (14% of the soum’s total territory), Renchinlhumbe soum (7.8% of the soum’s total territory), Khankh soum (98.0% of the soum’s total territory), Chandmani-Undur soum (13.7% of the soum’s total territory), and Tsagaan-Uur soum (38.1% of the soum’s total territory) of Khuvsgul aimag (Figure 6). Brief descriptions of the soums are provided below.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Alag-Erdene soum was launched with a name Alag Uul in 1926 and then the current location and name were officially recognised in 1956. The soum has five baghs (the smallest administrative unit): Shuvuut, Tsagaanbelchir, Yargis, Bayasgalan, and Mankhan. Each bagh has five Presidum members elected from its Public Meeting. Bagh’s Public Meetings and the Bagh Governors have the responsibility to represent, manage, and govern on behalf of all bagh residents. Situated on the bank of Eg River in the south from Khuvsgul Lake, the soum has a total of 450,290 hectares in its covering area and is at 62 km and 733 km from Murun town of Khuvsgul imag and Ulaanbaatar, the Capital City, respectively.
Khankh soum was established in the same year of 1931, when Khuvsgul aimag (province) was launched. In 1995, the soum was dissolved and some parts of its territory were included in the territory of Chandmani-Undur soum and the rest of its territory re-organized with a name Turt Khoroo (the same status as bagh). In 1959, the soum’status was retrieved, but it was dissolved again in 1978 and combined with Renchinlhumber soum. However, the current soum status was retrieved in 1994. The soum has three baghs (Turag, Turt, and Khoroo). Local residents of the soum are delivered with the public services under the soum’s Citizen’s Representative Khural (CRKh) and the Governor’s Office, like the rest. Khankh soum has a total of 549,871 hectares in its covering area. Turt, the soum centre, lies on the northeastern shore of Khuvsgul Lake and is at 280 km and 1020 km from Murun, the imag est centre, and Ulaanbaatar, the Capital City, respectively. The soum is at 22 km from Khankh-Mond border point at the Mongolian-Russian border.
Renchinlumber soum was established in 1931. The soum has six baghs: Khundii, Khooloin Zakh, Khodon, Dalain Zakh, Elt, and Zuulun. Each bagh has Presidum members elected from its Public Meeting. Bagh’s Public Meetings and the soum’s CRKh, the Presidium, and Governor’s Office have the responsibility to manage, govern, and deliver the public services to local residents. The soum has a total of 844,830 hectates in its covering area. Situated in the northwest of the NP and the northeast of Darkhad Depression, the soum is at 265 km and 998 km from Murun, the imag est centre, and Ulaanbaatar, the Capital City, respectively. On the north, the soum’s territory meets the Russian territory for 113 km on the state border.
Chandmani-Undur soum was established in 1931. Later, in 1956, the soum was joined with Tsagaan-Uur soum in terms of its administrative setting, but its independent soum status was retrieved in 1956. The soum has five baghs: Shivert, Elgos, Ulaan Asga, Khukhuu, and Khairkhan. Local residents are provided with overall imag est of its CRKh members elected on Public Meeting and the Governor’s Office in terms of accessing to the public services. Situated in the southern part of the NP, the soum has a total of 448,750 hectares in its covering area and is at 138 km and 758 km from Murun, the imag est centre, and Ulaanbaatar, the Capital City, respectively.
Tsagaan-Uur soum was established in 1931. The soum has four baghs: Uilgan, Uur, Darkhint, and Bulgan. Its governance and management is the same as those of other soums.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Situated in the southeast of the NP, the soum has a total of 873,530 hectares in its covering area.
Khatgal village (Bagh#6 of Alag-Erdene soum) is at 757 km from the Capital City of Mongolia, 101 km from the aimag’s centre, Murun town, and at 45 km (connected by a paved road) from Alag-Erdene soum’s centre. Situated on the southwestern shore of Khuvsgul Lake, the village has a total of 911,44 hectares in its covering area.
Figure 6. Locations and sizes of covering areas of the soums included in KLNP
3.2. Population
69. Population: the total population of the soums included in the NP is 19,991 individuals of 5886 households. Amongst, the soums with the largest population are Renchinlhumbe soum
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
(more than 4,000 people) and Chandmani-Undur and Alag-Erdene soums (up to 3,500) which are close to the average national numbers, while the soums with smallest population are Khankh and Tsagaan-Uur soums (up to 3000) (Table 1). The population density or number of people per 1 km2 varies in the soums. The average density is 1.80 per 1km2, the lowest density is recorded in Chandmani-Undur (1.1 per 1km2), and the highest density is Khankh soum (2.29 per 1km2).
70. Ethnic groups of the population are the Darkhad, the Reindeer farmers, and the Khalkh in Renchinlhumbe soum; the Darkhad, the Khalkh, and the Khotgoid in Alag-Erdene soum; and the Khalkh, the Uriankhai, the Buriad, and the Darkhad in Khankh, Tsagaan-Uur, and Chandmani-Undur soums.
Table 1.Numbers of households and people in the KLNP BZ soums
No: Total household Total Numbers of the % of the households in Soums numbers of population of households living the NP in the soum’s the soums the soums inside of the NP total households
1 Alag-Erdene 969 3331 29 3.0 2 Khankh 832 2801 352 42.3 3 Renchinlhumbe 1391 4916 165 11.9 4 Tsagaan-Uur 780 2650 - - 5 Chandmani-Undur 905 3063 30 3.3 6 Khatgal (village) 1010 3230 245 24.3 Total 5886 19991 821 13.9
71. Percentages of herder households against the total households in the soums vary. The soum with the largest number of herders is Renchinlhumbe (3,915 herders) which is 79.3 percent of its total population.
72. Employment opportunities are limited and livestock herding is hard and risky in locals areas, the people in the soums in the NP have been leaving their soums to more settled areas.
Locations of the population: residence of local people in soum centres and rural areas varies. For the all soums in the NP, currently 66.2% of total population of the soums live in rural areas and the rest or 33.8% live in centres of the soums. Breakdowns include: 16.4% of its total population live in the centre and 82.6% in rural areas for Renchinlhumbe soum; 19.5% in the center and 80.5% in rural areas for Alag-Erdene soum; 23.8% in the center and 76.2% in rural areas for Chandmani-Undur soum; and 25.7% in the centre and 74.3% in rural areas for Tsagaan-Uur soum.
3.3. Livestock husbandry
73. Territories of the soums included in the NP provide a locally specific area for traditional livestock husbandry practices in the country. In this region, some kinds of livestock those are
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 33
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations well suited to the region’s ecological-geographic conditions have been raised for the centuries. To date, this tradition is still kept and advanced in consistency with the bio- ecological and geo-ecological characteristics of the livestock herds. High mountains in Khuvsgul region are much suited for yak; low mountains continued from these high mountain ranges are suitable for the Mongolian cattle; and low mountains and valleys of major rivers are suitable for sheep and horse (Bazargur D., 2009).
74. There are a total of 578,840 heads of livestock (143 camels, 35,717 horses, 108,847 cattle, 216,534 sheep, and 204,827 goats) in the soums included in the NP. Out of them, 100,494 heads of livestock of 821 households with 3,451 family members of the soums (except for Tsagaan-Uur soum) inhabit inside the NP. This shows that 16.5% of the total herds are in the NP (Table 2, Figure 7).
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 34
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 7. Seasonal pastureland use within KLNP5
Table 2. Total numbers of herds residing the Buffer Zone, by kinds of livestock (According to the 2017 livestock census) 6
Soums Within the soum Within the NP
5 A source: National Atlas of Mongolia. UB., 2009 6 A source: Statiscs Book of Аlag-Erdene, Khankh, Chandmani-Undur, Tsagaan-Uur, Renchinlhumbe soums, Khatgal village,2017
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Goat Goat Total herds Horse Cattle Horse Cattle Sheep Sheep Camel Camel Total herds
Khankh 40170 12 3861 14045 10183 12081 37039 - 3284 13165 9566 11015 Alag-Erdene 223415 19 6928 17890 94230 88364 7063 - 101 792 3036 3134 Chandmani- 65592 0 4140 20154 16219 25079 3831 - 248 900 1475 1208 Undur Renchinlhumbe 172941 112 9752 29647 77714 55716 35374 - 3315 7062 13428 11569 Tsagaan-Uur 30884 - 4324 16273 6024 4263 ------Khatgal 45838 - 3512 10838 12164 19324 17187 - 1211 4071 4661 7244 Total 578840 143 35717 108847 216534 204827 100494 - 8159 25166 32166 34170
75. According to the current locations of local herders residing the NP, herders of bagh#3 of Renchinlhumbe soum do reside Khoroo River basin, while herders of bagh#4 of the soum reside along the western shore of Khuvsgul Lake in winters. Herders of Khankh soum live all year around in vallyes in lower areas Khoroo, Mungarag, Khongor Buush, and Khot Rivers, valleys of Khankh, Toi, and Turag Rivers on the north-eastern shore of the Lake, and valleys of the tributaries such as Shognuul, Noyon, Sevsuul, Borsogo, and Dalbay Rivers on the eastern shore of the Lake. Herders of Chandmani-Undur soum do spend their summers and autumns on the south-eastern shore, while herders of Alag-Erdene soum and Khatgal village live all year around on the south-eastern, the southern, and the south-western shores of the Lake.
76. To date, there are a total of 1,023 winter and spring campsites of local herders located within the NP boundaries (Geo-reference point measurements, Figure 8).
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 8. Locations of herders in KLNP
77. Locations of winter and spring campsites in internal zones: within the special zone: 14 herder households of bagh#3 of Renchinlhumbe soum stay in mouths of Nariin Khoroo, Khar Chiireg, Abshaan, and Saridag Siireg Rivers in Sayan section; 13 herder households of bagh#4 of the same soum stay in south of Khoroo valley and northern and eastern mouths of Emeel Mountain included in Urandush-Ulzii Khash section and next to Khuvsgul Lake; seven herder families of bagh#1 of Khankh soum stay in Sant section; and seven herder households of bagh#6 pf Alag-Erdene soum and Khatgal village in Khaich section for spending their winters and springs. Within the travel and tourism zone: two herder households from Khatgal village: one stays in Deed Modot Bulan and another stays in Ongologt, the both lie within 100 m from the Lake’s shores, and nine herder households of
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 37
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations bagh#4 of Renchinlhumbe soum stay next to the Lake for spending their springs and winters. One herder household of bagh#1of Khankh soum stays near lower area of Noyon River and two herder households of Chandmani-Undur soum in a valley of Khilen River for spending their summers and autumns. The rest of local herder households reside the limited-use zone. Most of the local residents living in and near the NP boundaries are engaged in livestock herding. Thus, a main source of their livelihoods is livestock husbandry.
3.4. Infrastructure
78. Five soums in KLNP’s buffer zone have poor infrastructure. For instance, they have no paved or maintained gravel roads connected with the imag centre or other settled areas nearby. There are only earth tracks between these settled areas: bagsh, soum and imag centres, except Khatgal village. This village is connected by a paved road with Murun, the provincial centre, and then Ulaanbaatar city.
79. Land surface of the soums’ territories are mountainous, distributed by numerous high mountains and their passes as well as rivers. Thus, driving goes through and across all these uneven and bumpy areas. In fact, this is one of the challenges for tourism and transportation development in the region. Most of bridges over major rivers are made of wood, not concrete or other durable materials. Travellers or local passengers use these wooden bridges, just in summers. There is a bridge on Eg River, near Khatgal village. It is a main crossing point for passengers to Khankh and Chandmaini-Under soums. Recently, there is a concrete bridge (over 200 m long) newly constructed on Uur River in the territory of Tsagaan-Uur soum.
80. Energy: centres of the five soums and one village in the NP’s buffer zone are supplied with 24 hour electricity because they are connected by the 35 kBt central powerline. Approximatly 60-80 percent of rural population (herder households) have their solar panels for electricity. There are some households using a wind energy source.
81. Road and Transportation: A part of key infrastructural facilities in rural areas is quality roads between settled areas. However, the soums baghs in the NP’s buffer zone still have no such facilities. Instead, they use earth tracks for travelling. Areas around these settled areas are abundant by mountain passes, hills, and uneven surfaces. In particular, on rainy or snowy days traffic is often closed due to bad conditions on earth tracks on major mountain passes. Local herders mostly use traditional means of transport for their seasonal movements because some of their campsites are in the areas, which are hardly accessed by vehicles. In 2012, a 101 km long paved road was constructed between Murun, the imag’s centre, and Khatgal (Figure 9).
82. Telecommunication: The soums have been already connected with the imag’s centre by the aerial or analog system lines for telecommunication. Based on this system, the soums have had access to internet services. Each soum has a post office, but its technology, equipment, devices, and capacity are inadequate, basically outdated. Since 2010, when the soums were connected to the central power system, local residents have had the opportunity to watch at least 8-10 national and local television channels on their TV sets. Mobile or cell D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 38
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations phone operators such as Mobicom, Unitel, G-mobile, and other companies of Mongolian Telecommunication Services are available in the soums. In recent years, banking services are much improved throughout the country. Thus, sub-branches of Khan Bank and State Bank have already opened in local areas and residents of the soums access to their services.
Figure 9. Auto Road Network within KLNP D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 39
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
3.5. Land Use 83. Land use types within the KLNP are classified as follows: Agricultural land (pastures and hayfields) Open surface water bodies (lakes, rivers, streams, mineral water bodies); Forest; Areas of winter campsites of local herders; Road; Areas of tour camps, ger camps, and winter and spring settlements. 84. Most of the NP’s territory is alpine tudra, high mountains with snow capped peaks, sharp ridges, the steep and rocky slopes those are often cut by narrow gorges and canyons, and the boreal forests (taiga) those are not easily accessed by human and livestock. Therefore, majority of the NP’s areas are not so suitable for any types of economic activities, but few parts are used for livestock grazing only.
85. A total of 100,494 heads of livestock live inside the NP (Table 2) and out of them: there are 7,063 heads from Alag-Erdene soum; 35,374 heads from Renchinlumbe; 37,039 heads from Khankh; 3,831 heads from Chandmani-Undur; and 17,187 heads from Khatgal village. Local herders harvest hays and fodder plants in river and mountain valleys and mouths, forest clearances, sub-boreal woodlands, and other lower areas for their herds.
86. The NP is abundant by imag e water resource, a part of key natural resources. Lakes Khuvsgul and Shar and Rivers Eg, Uur, and Uilgan are abundant by the game fish species such as Taimen, Lenok, and Perch. Local people catch the fish in these lakes and rivers. In particular, fishing without permits often takes place in Khuvsgul Lake.
87. In its forest resources, larch and larch-pine (Siberian pine) forests are dominant and birch and aspen stands also occur within the NP. Generally, the forest use is small throughout the NP, but it is high within Khatgal village and Khankh soum. Areas, except for Khankh soum centre’s land, are included in the NP. However, local residents of the soum harvest their fuelwood in forests nearby. In addition, local herders residing the NP harvest timber for their household needs in permitted forest zones within the NP under the relevant law and regulatory framework. And what’s more, some herders collect fuelwood and other woods for their household needs (e.g. building and changing their livestock shelters’ frames) even from forests in the park’s special zone. For instance, 87 households of bagh#3 of Renchinlumbe soum residing Ikh Khoroo basin, near upper area Ukhaa, and Nariin Khoroo Rivers originated from the northern slopes of Sayan Range do supply their all wood consumption from the larch forests on high mountains in the park’s special zone (Sayan section). In this zone, forests are grown on less nutritive stony soils so they are vulnerable and their natural regeneration takes long time.
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88. A total covering area of forest resources within the KLNP is 624,070 hectares including 620,621 hectares of forests in its protection zone and 3,449 ha in its utilization zone7 (Diagram 2). Forests in the special zone: Sub-alpine woodland Forests in the park’s special zone; Forests in the protection zone: Forests in the park; Forests in green zone; Forests on slopes at above 30 degrees Forests along the state border;
Forests in the utilization zone.
3449 6666 Î éí á¿ñ 548 50080 14459 244909 Forest of Tsaram
303959
Diagram 2. Forest Resources of KLNP
89. Forests in the park are abundant by non-timber forest products including pine nut and wild berries as blueberry and cowberry. Thus, local residents collect the products for their household needs. Simultaneousely, forest fire often occurs due to accidential and incautious human actions. Also, fires started in the Russian territories often moved into the park.
3.6. Tourism
90. In international practices, countries around the world take their naturally beautiful areas and areas with specific and unique formations under state protection and give equal considerations to either protection or sustainable use of these areas. The countries recognize that optimal solution for protection and sustainable use of these scenic areas is tourism
7 A sources: KLNP Administration, 2018 D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 41
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations development. Therefore, Protected Areas in countries in the world have been a basis or a key target area for tourism development, in particular eco-tourism development. On other hand, Protected Areas provide local communities with the practical opportunities (interests and needs) to improve their livelihoods and diversify their income generation sources through tourism development. These opportunities (interests and needs) gradually create a large scale room for business concentrations. This practice has not skipped the KLNP.
91. Khuvsgul Lake and its vicinities are one of the special regions those are ideal for tourism development and have abundant recreational resources in the country. The region supports a number of naturally beautiful areas including the Lake Khuvsgul, the largest fresh water lake not only in Mongolia, but also in the Central Asia and historical and cultural monuments. Therefore, it is a key tourist destination for the foreign tourists coming to Mongolia.
92. Currently, tourism activities within the NP are concentrated in areas Khuzuuvchiin Shil, Upper Modot Bulan, Jankhai, Toilogt, and Ongolog on the western shore and areas Alag Tsar and Mergenii Uzuur on the eastern shore of the Khuvsgul Lake. Lately, in particular during the last one to two years, many tourists and vacationers from the Russian Federation have been coming to Khankh soum. For instance, on February 21-22, 2018, there were 73 Russian tourists coming through Khankh Tour border point8.
93. Tourism activities in the NP are regulated by norms and regimes of the park’s protection zone in accordance with the current Mongolian Law on Special Protected Areas while the tour and ger camps lie in the park’s limited use zone (the current internal zoning). In addition to provision of accommodations, the tour camps take tourists and vistors on motor boating and visitng local herder families to introduce them with the Mongolian traditional lifestyle and organize mini local festivals including artistic folk song and dance performances on their camps and special interest tours including fishing, horse-riding, and going on adventure and water travels.
94. Despite a short and brief period for now, a winter tourism activity has been launched in the park. This is the Ice Festival, which is organized on Khuvsgul Lake in winters. Statistics on the tourists and vistors to the park show that numbers of domestic tourists have increased for recent years because a paved road was laid down between Ulaanbaatar-Darkhan-Erdenet- Bulgan-Khuvsgul–Khatgal. Their numbers are lilely to increase more in the future. For instance, there were 20,036 domestic and 4,848 foreign tourists in 2011; 42,868 domestic and 6,158 foreign tourists in 2012; and 78,150 domestic and 12,138 foreign tourists and over 21,490 vehicles recorded in 20179
95. Therefore, the park administration needs to impove its monitoring and numbers of appropriately maintained camping grounds would be increased in line with the increasing numbers of tourists and visitors coming to the NP. Currently, on camping ground has been maintained in an area of Ar Burkhant under the project.
8 Unpublished data of KLNP Administration, June 10, 2018 9 Source: Data from KLNP Administration, 2010-2017 D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 42
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
96. Importantly, all types of tourism activities within the park must be regulated under the park Administration’s policy on tourism activities in relation to the proposed re-zoning of KLNP. Most of tourist camps do not use appropriate travel route(s) specifically established for tourists and visitors coming to the park. The tourist camps need to have different (several) travel routes well suited to different interests and needs of tourists and visitors. Thus, the tourist camps should present their potential travel route proposals to the park administration director and specialists for approval.
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CHAPTER FOUR. REQUIREMENTS, JUSTIFICATION, CRITERIA, ZONES, AND BOUNDAROES OF RE-ZONING
4.1. Current Internal Zones
97. The park’s covering area was expanded by the State Great Khural Resolution No. 18 in May, 2011 by including an ecosystem of true taiga (boreal forest) of Trans Baikal along with habitats, distribution ranges, and breeding sites of protected rare or endangered wildlife species located in the east from Khuvsgul Lake. Following this expansion, the NP has a total of 1,175,602.2 hecatires.
98. In practice, if an area is taken under state protection, internal zoning should be done to regulate all the activities to be undertaken therein. The expansion of KLNP also required changes in its internal zones and boundaries of internal zones were re-established accordingly. Process of re-zoning proposal making and approval included that the park administration director and specialists and authorities and residents of the respective soums were presented with a proposal on re-zoning for comment and the commented proposal was presented to the soums’ CRKh Presiduim meeting for discussion and approval. Then, the proposal along with its Decision from the local Khurals was submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MoET) for consideration. KLNP re-zoning was approved by the Environment and Green Development Minister Order No.A-09 (Figure 10).
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 44
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 10. Internal zoning of KLNP, 2014
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99. Chapter 3 of the Law on Special Protected Areas states “National Parks shall be divided into the following zones upon consideration of the natural features, the location of flora and fauna, the preservation requirements of its historical and natural monuments, and the conditions for developing travel and tourism: special zone, travel and tourism zone, and limited uze zone. Special zone regimes include: in addition to implementing protection measures for the preservation of the natural features, the measures using environmentally safe technology to conduct research and investigation, to enhance flora and fauna reproduction, to restore soil, and eliminate damages caused by natural disaster may be undertaken in special zones. The traval and tourism zone regimes include: the following activities may be conducted in travel and tourism zones pursuant to the appropriate permit and through the use of environmentally safe technology: implementing protection measures for the preservation of the natural features; conducting research and investigation with environmentally safe technology; measures to enhance flora and fauna reproduction, to restore soil, and eliminate damages caused by natural disaster; forest maintenance and cleaning; wildlife inventories and regulating number, age, sex, and herd structure of their populations pursuant to approved programmes and methods; using mineral water and other treatment and sanitation resources; organizing eco-travel and tourism activities according to designated routes and directions under the appropriate procedure; using accommodations constructed pursuant to appropriate procedure and designated for temporary residence, camping, observation, research and investigation by imag est and other people with permisions; taking photographs, making audio and video recordings, and using them for commercial purposes; conducting mountain and ovoo worship and other traditional ceremonies; and fising in permitted areas. Regimes of the limited use zones include: engaging in traditional livestock husbandry; constructing buildings for imag est and others with permission pursuant to approved proposals, drawings, and permission; conducting ecological assessment for and develop the settled areas in the territory pursuant to approved overall planning; restoring soil and plant covers; conducting forest maintenance and cleaning; wildlife inventories and regulating number, age, sex, and herd structure of their populations pursuant to approved programmes and methods; using mineral water and other treatment and sanitation resources; organizing eco-travel and tourism activities according to designated routes and directions under the appropriate procedure; using accommodations constructed pursuant to appropriate procedure and designated for temporary residence, camping, observation, research and investigation by imag est and other people with permisions; taking photographs, making audio and video recordings, and using them for commercial purposes; conducting mountain and ovoo worship and other traditional ceremonies; and local residents may collect and use side-line natural resources and medicinal and food plants for their household needs pursuant to the appropriate procedures”10.
100. According to the Law on Special Protected Areas, three conservation zones are designated within NP. Upon consideration of specific land formation, landscape features, ecosystem represtations, preservation requirements, potential sizes, and comments from local stakeholders, we have designated seven sections of special zone, two sections and four corridors of travel and tourism zone, and one limited use zone wuthin the park. Seven sections
10 The Law of Mongolia on Special Protected Areas.1994 D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 46
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of special zone cover a total of 677,240.8 hectares, which include: a section of Urandush- Ulzii Khash (112,140.6 ha); a section of Sayan (46,179.5 ha); a section of Kheven, Zaluu, and Uur-Uilgan (485,168.0 ha); a section of Doloon Mountains (9,238.7 ha); a section of Khankh’s Olon Lakes (271.6 га ha); a section of Sant (16,396 ha); and a section of Khaich (7845.9 ha). This zone constitutes 57.6% of the NP. The travel and tourism zone covers a total of 312215.2 hectares making up 26.6% of the NP. The zone has two sections: a section of Khuvsgul Lake-Ikh Khoroo Olon Nuur (291,293.6 ha) and Tsagaan Mountain Urh (16,944.6 ha). Also there are four corridors (3,977.5 ha): Jigleg, Munkh Saridag, Ganshuul- Kheven River, and Uur River in this zone. The limited uze zone covers a total of 186,145.6 hectares accounted for 15.8 % of the NP (Table 3).
Table 3.Internal Zones and Covering Areas of KLNP (2014)
Areas Total area, № Sections of internal zones ha % hа (%) Uran Dush-Ulzii Khash O-1 112140.6 9.54 Sayan O-2 46179.5 3.93 Kheven-Zaluu Uur- Uilgan O-3 485168.0 41.27 677240.8 1 Doloon Mountains O-4 9238.7 0.79 (57.6) Khankh Olon Lakes O-5 271.6 0.02 Specialzone Sant O-6 16396.6 1.39 Khaich O-7 7845.9 0.67 Khuvsgul Lake –Ikh Khoroo Olon Lakes A-1 291293.6 24.78 Tsagaam Mountain –Urh A-2 16944.6 1.44 Jigleg A.k-1 264.0 0.02 312215.2 2 Munkh Saridag A.k-2 167.2 0.01 (26.6) Ganshuul-Kheven River A.k-3 2112.8 0.18 Corridor
Travel tourismand zone Uur River A.k-4 1433.5 0.12 186145.6 3 Limited use zone 186145.6 15.83 (15.8) 1175602.2 Total 1175602.2 100.00 (100)
101. In terms of its natural features, the special zone is the key indicator zone of the NP because it covers the area, which plays a signigicant rolde in the ecosystem preservation and is exceptionally important for its biodiversity and nearly intact. In a nutshell, this zone is designated basically for conservation and preservation of the ecosystem in the NP. For designation of special zone, a number of factors including representations of the existing natural zones/belts, key landscape features, and natural ecosystems, scienic areas, recreational resources, locations and distributions of rare and endangered wild flora and fauna species, potentiality and requirements of their preservation, and comments of local authorities and residents are considered as criteria. Upon consideration of these factors, the special zone is designated with seven sections: Urandush-Ulzii Khash, Sayan, Kheven, Zaluu, and Uur-
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Uilgan, Doloon Mountains, Khankh’s Olon Lakes, Sant, and Khaich within the NP. The special zone entirely covers the areas in their natural states.
102. For designation of the park’s travel and tourism zone, the factors suc as naturally beautiful or scenic areas, specific natural co-existence, recreational resources, potentiality and necessity for tourism development are condidered as main criteria. KLNP is abundant by recreational conditions and resources, ideal for tourism development, and one of major destinations in the country attracting flows of foreign and domestic tourist flows. This zone includes itself the Lake Khuvsgul, the largest freshwater lake not only in Mongolia but also in the Central Asia, and its surrounding scenic areas. Tourism corridors like ecological corridors may be based on natural elements, specifically the river valleys, which are a salient and clear corridor, on one hand. Travel and tourism routes on the ground are a corridor on other hand.
103. Boundaries of the limited use zone overlap with boundaries of the areas outside the NP. In this zone, all the activities permitted by the Law on Special Protected Areas are allowed; the tour and ger camps engaged in tourism activities, seasonal shelters (winter and spring), summer campsites, and seasonal movement routes of local herders and the areas along auto tracks between Khatgal-Khankh are included in this zone. There are two sections of areas in the limited use zone continued as a corridor. One of these areas is the main seasonal movement route for herders of Renchinlhumbe soum of Khuvsgul imag, which is along Ikh Khoroo River valley started from the delta of Ikh Khoroo and Nariin Khoroo Rivers to the NP boundary continued as a corridor through the special zone. Other one is the area along the improved gravel auto track between Khatgal and Khankh started from a mountain pass next to the Lake to the southern slope of Tsagaan Salaa mountain pass, also continued as a corridor through the special zone.
3.2. Requirements and justification for KLNP re-zoning
104. In Mongolia, the environment and natural resources have been deteriorated due to the economic activities, where natural resources, in particular mineral and pastureland resources are over and extensively used and tourist camps are over-concentrated in few areas as a result of inadequate planning and management, in addition to the ongoing global warming. All these concerns are not stayed outside KLNP, which is well known with its natural features. The current concerns such as extensive use of natural resoucrces, pollution of the Lake’s water and soil along its shores, over-concentration of tourist and ger camps, numbers of local herders and their herds residing in and nearby, and increasing flows of tourists to the park inevitably require re-zoning within the park. On other hand, there is a need to scrutinize re- establish internal zones of the park in consistency with the increasing tourism development tendency in the region. Therefore, we have considered the following factors as a priority for the NP re-zoning.
I. Global warming and human induced impacts on the environment and changes in the landscape-land cover
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105. Mongolia is a landlocked nation located in the centre of Asia and surrounded by high mountains and their ranges. It has moderately dry climate. Lately, evidences of global warming have been seen throughout the country. In addition to, the environment has been deteriorated due to human activities and their negative impacts. Generally, natural and human factors have been resulting in either quantitative or qualitative changes in the landscape. Consequences of these changes are seen in a variety of evidences including loss of natural regimes, changes in the landscape and relief features and states, imag est e of their external causes, disappearance of small rivers, lakes, and ponds, alteration in run-off regimes, reduced run-off resources, loss of vegetation covers, biodiversity, and forest resources, and increasing sand movements. Ecosystems in the country are vulnerable and easily deteriorated by natural disasters and human activities and natural regeneration capacities and processes are slow and require long time. Compared to those in other countries, the changes aforesaid seem to be intense and climate change impacts on the environment and socio-economic contexts are likely to be high, too.
106. Thus, we imag es the changes in the landscape-land cover during the last 30 years, from 1995-2015 used the satellite images and data (D.Enkhtaiva, О.Мunkhdulam, 2015)11. There were 23.6% of the NP’s total covered by lakes, 10.8% by high mountainous woodlands, 11.1% by temperate coniferious forest, 21.3% by mountain steppe, 8.9% by meadow steppe, 4.3% by flooplain meadow, 5.5% by forest steppe, 4.3% by alpine meadow, 4.7% by steppe, 3.3% by alpine tundra, 2.2% by floodplain forest and forest stands, 0.10% by sand dune, and 0.02% degraded land by human activities (Figure 11). According to the table on changes in the landscape-land cover throughout the NP within last 30 years, no specific changes were seen in covering areas of alpine tundra and alpine meadow. However, covering areas of mountain steppe were 147,890 ha in 1985; 187,446.8 hа in 1995; 202,446.8 ha in 2005; and 249,366.8 ha in 2015 which were imag est e increased while areas of boreal coniferous forests were 148,000 hа in 1985; 145,000 ha in 1995; 142,200 ha in 2005; and 130,200 ha in 2015 which were imag est e reduced within the 30 years. Covering areas of coniferous forest were declined by 2% between 1985 and 1995; by 2.1% between 1995 and 2005; and by 8.3% between 2005 and 2015. These findings show at what extents, especially in the last decade the coniferious forests were lost. Moreover, covering areas of high mountain woodlands were also continuely declined as follows: to 202,234 ha in 1985 to 193,230 ha 1995, to 181,230 ha in 2005, to 126,970 ha 2015 during the last three decades.
11 D.Enkhtaivan, О.Мunkhdulam “Baseline Studies of KLNP” Research Report. 2015 D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 49
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Figure 11.Classifications of landscape-land cover within KLNP (1985, 2015)
Table 4.Changes in the landscape-land cover, (1985-2015)
№ Main types 1985 1995 2005 2015 Changes, Changes, Changes 1985-1995 1995-2005 2005-2015 ha ha ha ha ha % ha % ha % 1 Alpine tundra 38662.34 38662.34 38662.34 38662.34 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 2 Alpine meadow 50032.89 50032.89 50032.89 50032.89 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0 3 Mountain steppe 147890 187446.8 202446.8 249366.8 39556.8 26.7 15000 8.0 46920 23.2 4 Temperate boreal 148005.49 145005.49 142005.5 130206.5 -3000 -2.0 -3000 -2.1 -11798.99 -8.3 coniferous forest 5 High mountain 202234.08 193234.08 181234.1 126968.6 -9000 -4.5 -12000 -6.2 -54265.48 -29.9 woodland 6 Floodplain meadow 69800 53600 53600 50755.15 -16200 -23.2 0 0.0 -2844.85 -5.3 7 Floodplain forest & 24890 24890 24890 25430.01 0 0.0 0 0.0 540.01 2.2 forest stands 8 Forest steppe 53404.19 55420.69 52120.69 64062.96 2016.5 3.8 -3300 -6.0 11942.27 22.9 9 Meadow steppe 139958.6 123958.6 103958.6 103958.6 -16000 -11.4 -20000 -16.1 0 0.0 10 Steppe (dry & 40180.31 42180.31 53380.31 55310.31 2000 5.0 11200 26.6 1930 3.6 moderately dry) 11 Lake & pond 257342.4 257860.4 269860.4 276860.4 518 0.2 12000 4.7 7000 2.6 12 Sand dune & 389.7 498.4 598.4 998.4 108.7 27.9 100 20.1 400 66.8 ephemeral channel 13 Degraded land 0 0 0 117 0 0 117 1.17
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107. In last 25 years, considerable changes were seen in covering areas of forests, mainly by fire and tree cutting: a total of 69,910 hectares were replaced by 1) secondary larch stands; 2) willow bearing birch forest and 3) shrubbery Calligonum stands. Covering areas of forest steppe were 53,400 ha in 1985, 55420 ha in 1995, 52120 ha in 2005, and 64060 ha in 2015. The findings show that it increased by 3.8% between 1985 and 1995 and declined by 6.0% between 1995 and 2005, but increased by 22.9% between 2005 and 2015. Areas of floodplain forest and forest stands were declined by 2.2%. Areas of meadow steppe were 139,950 hectares in 1985, 123,950 hectares in 1995, 103,950 hectares in 2005, and 103,950 in 2015. These statistics show that areas of meadow steppe were declined by 11.4% between 1985 and 1995 and by 16.1% between 1995 and 2005. However, covering areas of sandy areas near small tributary rivers were expanded. There was no change between 2005 and 2015. Areas of floodplain meadow were declined by 23.2% between 1985 and 1995; there was no change between 1995 and 2005; but they were increased by 2.2% between 2005 and 2015. Areas of steppe landscape were 40,180 hectares in 1985; 42,180 hectares in 1995; 53,380 hectares in 2005; and 55,310 hectares in 2015. Areas of the steppe landscape were declined. Instead, areas of sandy areas were increased by 27.9% between 1985 and 1995; by 20.1% between 1995 and 2005; and by 66.8% between 2005 and 2015 during the last three decades. These changes were recorded in the areas of Turag, Toi, Tsagaan Khujir, Sevsuul, and Dalbay, where loose sand and sandy areas were expanded, the land surface were deteriorated and vegetation covers became sparse due to climate warming and uneven rainfall distributions were received, on the east from the Lake.
108. These are the major changes in the land cover within the NP. Moreover, areas of degraded land were increased by 117 hectares; areas of lake and pond were increased by 0.2% between 1985 and 1995; by 4.7% between 1995 and 2005; and by 2.6% between 2005 and 2015 during the laste three decades. The changes in covering areas of Khuvsgul Lake were somehow related with the permafrost melting. Khuvsgul Region lies in the area with continuous permafrost distribution. Melting of glaciers and permafrost is getting intensified due to global warming.
109. Researchers conducted studies along the eastern shore of Khuvsgul Lake stressed that global warming has been noticeably increasing in the vicinity of Khuvsgul Lake, which is located at the transition of Siberian taiga and Central Asian desert. According to the Khatgal meteorological station measurement data, the average annual air temperature was – 4.50C, which has been increased by 1.70C during last 43 years with increases by 3.10C in winter, by 2.10C in spring, by 1.40C in summer and by 0.90C in autumn (Nandintsetseg, 2006).12 The warming process accelerates permafrost melting and provides a main cause to prevent from getting the Lake’s water level lowered according to the researchers. Melting of permafrost, on one hand, is relevant with natural process, but it is imag est e e relevant to human activities on other hand. For instance, seasonal ground melting took place at 1.4 m in the valleys of Great and Small Dalbay Rivers, which are low in human and livestock
12 B.Nandintsetseg. 2006. Report “Geology, Biodiversity, and Ecology of Khuvsgul Lake”. Mongolia. Leiden: Backhuys Publishers.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations inhabitancies, while it was at 4.8 m in a valley of Turag River. Vegetation covers protect from thawing in the ground. Comparisons of livestock herds showed dramatic increases, for instance, about 34,800 heads of imag est were inhabited in 1992, the current herds are estimated at 100,494 within the NP, which has increased by 2.9 times or almost imag e. This exponential herd growth has been one of the main factors contributing in impairment of pastureland carrying capacities, overgrazing, and deterioration of vegetation covers, soil erosion, melting of permafrost and increasing sand movement within the park. Results of some studies conducted show that temperatures of the ground covered by dense vegetation were cooler by 2.20C than that of the ground with sparse vegetation cover or hays harvest; Difference in the ground temperatures between a sparse forest and shrubbery vegetation cover was 3.60C; difference in the ground temperatures underneath a dense forest and shrubbery vegetation cover was 4.90C; and the ground temperature under 10 cm thick moss cover was cooler by 6.40C (Anarmaa, 2006). In the northern bottoms of mountains and the riparian zone of the Lake, where seasonal thawing takes place at superficial levels of the ground, the moss cover protecting imag est has been lost due to extensive livestock grazing and it provides a basis for thawing of permafrost (Aruintsetseg, 2006). The research findings are proving the process in the region. All these results show that the landscape have been changed due to the ongoing warming and climate change on one hand, but greatly contributed by anthropogenic impacts on other hand. Evidences of all these factors are seen in the changes in the NP’s landscape.
110. Majority of livestock herds residing in the NP all year around are the herds of Khankh soum. The rest include 100,494 heads of 821 households of bagh#2 of Renchinlhumbe soum and Khatgal village. For Alag-Erdene and Renchinlhumbe soums in the park’s buffer zone, their herd sizes are already exceeding their current pastureland carrying capacities and livestock grazing areas are getting limited. For the soums Khankh, Chandmani-Undur, and Tsagaan Uur, their herds are larger against their pasturelands, but the herds are able to stay within their soum territories in winters without moving on otor (better conditioned pastures in remote areas).
2. Pollution of Khuvsgul Lake water and soils within the riparion zone
111. Water is a source of human iving. Under environmental impacts of tourism industry, water quality and quantity is highly considered. As numbers of travellers and tourists coming to an area, needs of water are increased, concurrently. Khuvsgul Lake has its specific features. For instance, the Lake has a steep deep bottom of rocky narrow canyon shape; is inflowed by numerous rivers and streams; while only one river Eg outflows from it. Thus, water interchange rate in the Lake is low, water temperature is constant, and lower parts of the Lake’s depths have abiotic environment, where growths of aquatic micro-organisms and flora and fauna species are slow and rare. Therefore, natural water purification in the Lake takes within hundreds of years. This process takes 50 years in Baikal Lake while it takes 500 years in Khuvsgul Lake (Jambaajamts, 1992)13. Khuvsgul Lake is the largest fresh water lake in the country. According to the researchers in the past, mineralization in the Lake was meanly 230
13 Jambaajamts “Khuvsgul Lake” UB., 1992 D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 52
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations mg/l and its hardness was generally even, 2.45-2.80 mg-equ/l or “soft” water. Chemical compounds and quality of the water are seasonally changeable depending on changes in the climate and hydrological regimes; however, it is the water of type 1: constant hydro-carbonate class and calcium group (anions: HCO3-92% and Ca2+63%) are dominant, in any of the seasons. Ion spread in the Lake’s water is less dependent on seasonal and spatial environment (the Lake’s surface and depth) or more stabilized.
112. Concentration of tourist camps along the Khuvsgul Lake’s shore is high. In the populated areas, the water and soil pollution rates are relatively higher. Moreover, the valleys along the rivers inflowing into the Lake are highly resided by local herder families and their herds, particularly in summers. Thus, pollution rates in these rivers are also high according to the test results (A Report of Water Quality Monitoring Programme, 2017).
113. Recently, qualities of Khuvsgul Lake water and soils nearby have been negatively impacted as a result of tourism activities undertaken along the Lake’s shores. Since a paved road between Murun-Ulaanbaatar was laid down in 2014, numbers of travellers to Khuvsgul Lake have rapidly increased especially during summers. Capacities of the tour camps became short and the travellers stayed in their tents on the Lake’s shore. They left their garbage and wastes on open areas. Consequently, soil pollution emerged along the Lake and waste materials were transferred into the Lake. Results of the water quality monitoring carried out under the project “Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Project” show increasing water pollution rates in the areas, where human and livestock herds are concentrated. The shores of Khuvsgul Lake are overloaded by travellers and local herders with large herds in summers. Main sources of water and soil pollution in the riparian zone are livestock herds, human residence (Khankh soum centre and Khatgal village), tour and ger camps and their ordinary pit toilet facilities (pit latrines) close to the Lake’s shore. For instance, the monitoring test results show high levels of the E.coli (colon bacillus) detected along the Lake’s shores, where human population, namely herder families with herds are concentrated. The ammonium is high in human and livestock wastes. According to the test results, the highest concentration of ammonium was recorded as 4.15 mg/100g in superficial part of the soil in the vicinity of Khuvsgul Lake, which is doubled than the allowable amount or assessed as moderate14. There are a total of 494 ordinary pit toilet facilities located around the Lake (Figure 12) and there are some along floodplains and valleys of tributary rivers nearby. For instance, there are over 80 such pit toilet facilities located along floodplains and banks of the Rivers such as Ikh Khoroo, Nariin Khoroo, and Ukhaa inflowing into the Lake from the northwest. These facilities might be a main contributor of the Lake’s water pollution as the waste materials are transferred by river and ground water. In February 2018, the ordinary pit toilet facilities in floodplains of Ikh Khoroo were covered by the water over melting ice15.
14 A Report of Water Quality Monitoring Programme, 2017 15 A source: D. Enkhtaivan. Field Study Report. Feb-10-2018 D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 53
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 12. Locations of ordinary pit toilet facilities 15
114. Researchers identified water quality has been changed in some rivers inflowing in Khuvsgul Lake. If water of the inflowing is polluted, it is a basis of negative impact on the lake ecosystem. There is a fact: Turag River had the lowest mineralization and was included in the category of “the extremely fresh water rivers” according to the studies conducted by a jont expedition of National University of Mongolia and University if Irkutsk (Russia). However, the river was in the category “fresh water rivers with fair mineralization” according to the studies in 2002. These findings show Turag River with the extremely low
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 54
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations mineralization turned over to the river with moderately high mineralization witin several years as chemical compounds were changed due to increased ions in the water. Concentrations of phospore and sulphate in Turag River water exceeded their permissible amounts in drinking water. Prior to 1995, areas along Turag River were not regularly resided by local herders, but they have become one of the areas in active use. Therefore, these land use practices have contributed in the change on its water quality (P. Тamir, 2006) 16. Additionally, the superficial soils along the River have been eroded by vehicle traffic.
115. Since a threat to Khuvsgul Lake, a core of the KLNP, is faced, a priority should be given to protect its water and soils in the riparian zone. Thus, we do consider, as an optimal solution, that areas up to 100 m from lake shores, around the lake, be included in the travel and tourism zone for protection of the Lake’s water and soils in riparian zone in accordance with the Law of Mongolia on Water.
3. Concentrations and impacts of tourism activities and tourist and ger camps
116. Tourism activities bring in multiple negative impacts on the environment. In particular, unregulated or uncontrolled tourism activities are the most damageable to the environment. Firstly, direct adverse impacts of tourism activities are seen in soil and vegetation covers of the area, where they are undertaken. Therefore, compositions, nutritions, types, properties, and textures of the soils are the elements firstly to be considered for tourism development in a given area. The higher soil quality, the higher recreational capacities within the area – is ideal for tourism development.
117. Impacts of tourism lead to soil disturbance and erosion, loss of its nutritive quality and vegetation, deterioration of habitats for organisms, and ultimately ecological inbalance. Main causes for soil compaction are human foot and vehicle pressures to the soils. Amongst, human trampling is the worst. Although less pressure in weight is given by human trampling to the soil in comparing to that by vehicle, effects vary depending on heels of the boots or shoes worn by. Soles of human feet give dual and vertical pressures to the ground surface. These effects cause direct mechanic damages to vegetation cover and upper soil layer resulted in indirect impacts on physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. A researcher (M.S. Оborin, 2007) identified that human gives 200 g/cm2 pressure to the land surface when standing and up to 47 kg/cm2 pressure when walking17. Physical effects on soil are visible by eye only after the soil is totally eroded and its vegetation is lost. In the parts, where small particles of soil are dried up, sand is emerged and freely moved. As trampling and pressure given to the ground, surface of the soil gets compacted (at 10-15 cm) and then its effects change and lead to loss of imag es and nutritive contents of the soil. Thus, soil compaction is a key assessment indicator of ecological state and external effect degrees within a territory.
16 P.Таmir, 2006. Report “Geology, Biodiversity, and Ecology of Khuvsgul Lake”. Mongolia. Leiden: Backhuys Publishers.
17 М.С.Оборин. Особенности анализа рекреационной и антропогенной нагрузки вследствие санаторно-курортной и туристской деятельности. М., 2007
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Regarding the impacts of vehicle traffic, vehicles affect horizontally; namely, their tyre prints are left on the ground when moving forward, while they push back dirt and stones when moving backward.
118. Chemical characteristics of soils are also affected and changed due to human activities. In practice, soil disturbance and contamination often emerge by contact and exposure to various chemicals and accumulation of pollutants and waste materials including lubricants and construction materials. In addition, animal dung and manure on the ground can be fertilize and improve soil nutritions on one hand, but emissions from these accumulated materials cause negative impacts, either environmentally or aesthetically, on the ambient air by releasing unpleasant odours and attracting insects on other hand. Another consequence of soil erosion and disturbance is a loss of aquatic living environment and extinction of organisms in surface water bodies as they are covered by mud (D.Dash, B.Bayasgalan, N.Mandakh, 2005). In the areas with tourism activities, soil deterioration takes place as their vegetation covers are lost. Initial change in a biological species often leads to loss of other biological species and decline in populations of useful species within the area. In addition to human trampling over the vegetation cover, flowered plants become extinct when they are collected, transplanted, and harvested for herbariums.
119. As mentioned in the previous section, the tourism activities and pastureland use within the riparian zone of Khuvsgul Lake have been contributing in the environmental changes and the permafrost melting. Tourism is a seasonal business in the region. If the business is managed properly without disturbance to the environment, the wildlife can stay in its habitats and be, in turn, used as the site attractions e.g. wildlife and bird watching. On other hand, environmental carrying capacities and tourism carrying capacities should be assessed for tourism development in the area to prevent from potential and actual negative impacts. Tourism carrying capacities refer to the levels, where the travellers and tourists to the area do cause the minimum impacts on the area’s environment while receiving the maximum satisfaction from their travels and tours. At regional and national levels, tourism carrying capacities are assessed by satisfactions of the travellers and tourists visited, while tourism carrying capacities in the NP are defined by physical carrying capacities of tourist camps, available natural, historical, and cultural resources, and infrastructural development in the NP.
120. Khuvsgul Lake and its vicinity is a key region with abundant recreational resources for tourism development in the country. Accordingly, tourism has been intensively developed in the NP. It has been spent about 30 years since the start of tourism development within Khuvsgul imag (province). Within this period of time, the region has been recognized by foreign and domestic tourists as the region with substantial tourism products. However, there are some disadvantages e.g. tourism is not a key economic activity for the imag (province) and is not a driving force of the Aimag’s Development Policy. The Aimag’s Sub-Programme for Tourism has been adopted and put in practice, but the current legal and regulatory framework including economic mechanisms is still inadequate to ensure its effective implementation. Travel and tourism zone of the KLNP consists of two parts: part A (covering 55,000 ha) on the western shore and part B (covering 60,000 ha) on the eastern
D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 56
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations shore of the Lake. The NP is specific with its natural-geographic landscape and ideal for eco- tourism, but it still has some difficulties such as inadequate infrastructural development, a short hot season or extreme climate those restrict its development potentiality.
121. To date, there are a total of 572,87 hectares of the land licensed by 117 individuals and business entities within the park. Out of them, 148.57 hectares of the land licensed by 44 38%) individuals and business entities are operational; 33.85 hectres licensed by 18 (15%) individuals and business entities are under construction; and 390.45 hectares licensed by 55(47%) individuals and business entities are not used18. Also, there are 32 ger camps19 seasonally operational (in summers) within 30.23 ha in Jankhai area.
Most of the tourist camps operational within the NP are concentrated at several designated points. (Figure 13).
18 A source: Data received from KLNP Administration in November 2018 19 Ger camps are privately run by some local residents. A ger camp run by a local consists of several gers, these are mostly accommodated by domestic tourists at cheap prices. In fact, none of the ger camps meet the basic requirements for eco ger camp. D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 57
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 13. Locations of the highly concentrated tourist and ger camps within KLNP
122. For instance, they concentrate in Khuzuuvchiin Shil, Jankhai, Upper Modot Bulan, Toilogt, Khirvesteg, and Ongolog along the western shore of the Lake and in Khaichiin Am, Mergen, and Alagtsar on the eastern shore of the Lake. In these few areas, the tourist camps are located alongside each other without any gap. Such over-concentrations in few areas are likely to cause considerable damages in the environment and land cover, particularly to cause a threat to pollute the Lake’s water and soil nearby. Results of the assessment on resources and carrying capacities of the travel and tourism zone of the NP conducted in 2011-2012 showed there were 26 tour camps regularly operational and their impact zone covered 32,895 hectares at that time; of which: 5,084.5 hectares were under “extremely severe impact”, 8,840 hectares were under “severe impact”, and 9,420 hectares were under “fair impact” (Figure 14, Table 5). At that time, there were six tourist camps operational in Khuzuuvchiin Shil and their impact zones were estimated at 346.820 hectares. Its carrying capacity was exceeding by 1.5 times. In Jankhai area, there were 13 tourist camps along with the same numbers of ger camps operational. Its carrying capacities were overloaded by 2.8 times. Tourist camps in the NP are concentrated in 25,136 hectares of floodplain and floodplain steppe meadows with forests, of them: 23,344 hectares or 93% were under “extremely severe impact” according to the assessment21.
20 Source: Data received Urjinbadam.D, KLNP Tourism specialist in June 2018 21 “Tourism Carrying Capacity of KLNP”2012, D.Enkhtaivan D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 58
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 14. Impacts of tourist camps, 2012
123. According to the assessment on specific land formation, soil, and vegetation cover, and key landscape features, as well as recreational resources within the KLNP, a total of 70462.722 hectares is ideal for tourism development and able to support over 50 tour camps in its carrying capacity. However, licensing has already overrun this carrying capacity, by 2.3 times more for now. Thus, it is necessary to stop licensing of the land around the Lake and to take the actions such decentralization of tour camps in some areas by moving the tour camps (where wastewater from household and sewage facilities is not treated up to 95-99%) to distant areas, at least 200 m away from the Lake’s shore. Moreover, 28 parcels of land licensed in 2016-2017 but not operational for now should be re-designated outside the travel and tourism zone along the Lake. These mesasures will be useful in keeping the riparian landscape carrying capacities and mitigation of actual and potential soil pollution. Table 5.Impacts of tourist camps23
Impacts of the tour camps Extremely severe 5084.5 0.43 Severe 8840 0.75 Fair or moderate 9420 0.80 Low 9550 0.81 Very low 1139895.5 97.2 1172790
124. According to the tourist camps’ impact zone mapping, a tourist camp caused extremely severe impact within 500 m radius and extremely low impact within more than 2.5 km radius of its physical location. At present, however, numbers of tourist camps have increased by 2-2.5 times and they are located alongside to each other in few designated areas. So, it is obvious that at what distances the tourist camps are impacting on. Apart from the tour camps, there are 32 ger camps operating by local and non-local people concentrated in Jankhai area. These ger camps mostly receive domestic tourists coming to the NP. Unfortunately, none of them do meet the basic requirements to eco-ger camp. Consequently, the vegetation cover has been deteriorated, resuted in soil erosion and water pollution in the Lake. Evidences of these results were shown by the Khuvsgul Lake Water Quality Monitoring Survey (2017).
125. About 10 out of the total tour operators (tourist camps) in the vicinity of Khuvsgul Lake are registered with the imag (the province), but operators of the rest are based in Ulaanbaatar city. Therefore, these operators do not pay their income taxes to the province. Overall, it is complicated to identify and monitor their actual incomes on regular basis because of their locations in remote areas. As a result, no substantial contributions are made from the tourism business to the local (provincial) socio-economic development. The tour operators, who are running their businesses in the NP, only pay their land payments to the
22 “Tourism Сarrying Capacity of KLNP”2012 and “Baseline survey of KLNP-2015” D.Enkhtaivan and U.Munkhdulam 23 “ Tourism Carrying Capacity of KLNP” 2012, D.Enkhtaivan
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations local budget. This is totally insufficient. Depending on sizes of their licensed areas, the operators do pay MNT 80000-120000 per a hectare (ha). The services and activities offered by the tourist camps are boating (motorized boats), visiting local herder households to see Mongolian traditional living style, mini-festivals including folk song and dance performances, fishing, horse-riding, trekking, and waterway journyes. An effort to develop winter tourism, yet a short, in the NP was first initiated in 1999. It is the Ice-Festival, which is annually organized on Khuvsgul Lake’s ice. Initially, the event was attended by small numbers of tourists, but numbers of participants in this event are increasing from year to year. The latest data (2018) the festival was attended by about 10,000 tourists, the majority were the domestic tourists. Lately, this winter event “Ice Festival” has been recognized as a key event of winter tourism activities, not only within the NP but also within the province on one hand, but it would cause negative impact on the Lake on other hand. There were over 2,000 vehicles driven everywhere over the Lake’s ice during the last event. Thus, the MoET and the park administration should take an appropriate action for stopping such unregulated driving over the Lake’s ice.
4. Growth of herding families and their herds within the KLNP territory
126. To date, a total of 821 herding families of Renchinlhumbe, Khankh, Chandmani-Undur, and Alag-Erdene soums do reside inside the NP. For recent 5 years, the total number of livestock inside the NP has reached to over 100 thousand. Overall, the KLNP has limited reserves of pastureland or areas suitable for livestock grazing. The forage resources available within the soums are estimated at up to 50.0 thousand tons in Khankh soum; 50.1-100.0 thousand tons in Chandmani-Under soum; and more than 150.1 thousand tons in Renchinlhumbe soum24 (Figure 15).
24 Strategy for Conservation of Biodiversity in Sayan Region. UB. 2009 D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 60
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 15. Resources of pastureland and fodder within KLNP 127. In comparing to their pastureland carrying capacities, herds in Khankh and Alag-Erdene soums are exceeding by 5-6 times and 2 times, respectively. Herds in Chandmani-Undur and Renchinlhumbe soums are nearly within their pastureland carrying capacities, but exceeding by 30 percent for now. In the soums herds are overstocked by 2-6 times against their existing pastureland carrying capacities, the pastures for rotational use in seasons have become limited and consequently, most of herders along with their herds are used to stay at the same areas all year around. Therefore, the local herders with their herds need to move for otor (pasturing of herds in groups seeking good pasture away from the regular pasture) into territories of neighbouring soums because of no reserve better conditioned livestock grazing areas within their soum territories and droughty conditions in preceding summer. In harsh winters, herders of Renchinlhumbe soum move on otor to territories of Khankh and Alag-Erdene soums for wintering. Most of herders of Khankh, Tsagaan-Uur, and Chandmani soums do spend their winters and springs within their soum territories although their herds are highe against carrying capacities of the pastureland. Some of herders of Tsagaan-Uur and Chandmani – Under soums do release their winter and spring campsites from livestock grazing by enclosing or fencing.
128. Numbers of herds per 1 ha vary in the soums in the region. In Renchinlhumbe, Khankh, Tsagaan-Uur, Chandmani-Undur, and Alag-Erdene soums, herd size per 1 ha are 1.01-1.5 heads in sheep unit. These figures also show the herd sizes exceeding their pastureland carrying capacities. Compared to the national average, the herd densities (in sheep unit) per 1 ha pasture in these soums are the highest. The highest to the lowest are Alag-Erdene (46%), and Khankh (26%) the highest; Renchinlhumbe (14%) and Chandmani-Undur (15%) the
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations moderate; and Tsagaan-Uur (6%) the lowest. Moreover, the herd structures (in sheep unit) also vary in the soums. Except for Аlag-Erdene, the soums have low percentages of goats in their total herds compared to those in the national average. The reason of this is the natural- geographic conditions which are basically unsuited for goat. The soums have the harsh (extremely cold) winters with deep snowfalls and late springs unfavourable for goat herds. Except for Аlag-Erdene soum, the rest of the soums had high percentages of catlle (30-50%) in their herds. To date, the cattle make up 17.1 % in Renchinlhumbe, 35 % in Khankh, 52.7% in Tsagaan-Uur, and 30.7% in Chandmani-Undur. Sheep in the total herds are 44.9 % in Renchinlhumbe, 25% in Khankh, 52.7% in Tsagaan-Uur, 30.7% in Chandmani-Undur, and 42.3% in Alag-Erdene (Table 5). However, the percentages of goat in the total herds have been increasing in the soums. For instance, the goat constitutes 32.2% in Renchinlhumbe, 30.1% in Khankh, 39.5 % in Alag-Erdene, 13.8% in Tsagaan-Uur, and 38.2 % Chandmani- Undur in their total herds. Researchers identify tha territories of the soums except for Alag- Erdene are unsuitable for sheep and goats (D.Bazargur, 2008)25.
129. There are over 1000 winter and spring camp-sites in the NP territory. Locations and numbers of winter and spring camp-sites per a herder family vary and some of them have even 2-4 winter and spring campsites in different locations. Most of winter and spring campsites are in the limited-use zone of the NP. However, herd sizes in the limited-use zone are largely increased in winters and springs because some additional herds of livestock from other parts of the soums are cared by local herders in the zone. To date, herds in Jankhai on the western shore and valleys of Ikh Khoroo, Khank, Toi, and Turag Rivers in the north are overstocked against the pastureland carrying capacities (by 2-3 times).
Table 6. Areas affected by pastureland use Extremely severe 57,240 4.88 Severe 45,800 3.91 Fair or moderate 41,200 3.51 Low 42,500 3.62 Negligible 986,050 84.1 1,172,790 100
130. A total of 186,740 hectares of pastureland or 16 percent of the total NP territory is under direct impacts of livestock grazing (Table 6). 70 percent of the NP’s total covering areas is alpine tundra, alpine meadow, mountain forests, boreal forests/taiga, and lake, while the rest or 30 percent is the areas used for tourism and livestock herding practices.
131. Researchers use geocoordinate points of local herders’ seasonal (winter, spring, summer, and autumn) campsites for assessment of impacts of the pastureland use. They also use the ArcGIS 10.2 Spatial analyst for analysis of spatial zoning of pastureland and grazing areas. Results of the analysis show that local herders along with herds move within radius of 2-4 km in winters and springs and imag of 4-6 km in summers and autumns to rotationally use
25 D.Bazargur. Geography of Pastoral Animal Husbandry. UB., 2015 D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 62
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations pastures26. For assessment of impact levels (severities), the formula is analysed with the Systat software for statistics and statistical graphics. Dramatic increases in livestock herds exceeding carrying capacities of the pastureland within the park are giving an enormous overgrazing pressure to the vicinities of the Lake and valleys of major inflowing rivers (e.g. Ikh Khoroo, Nariin Khoroo, Khankh, Turag, etc.) and alteration to their landscapes and a pressure to tourism activities in the park. In the areas foresaid, vegetation covers have been deteriorated, species of the plants eatable by livestock have become sparse, and soil erosion has emerged due to over-stocking (3-4 times higher than the pastureland carrying capacities). Herd structures have also altered: numbers of goats and horses are quickly growing and over- stocking of these species cause a basis of overgrazing. Therefore, effective pastureland management should be implemented by joint efforts of local governments and herders with a focus on rotational use of pastureland and keeping herd sizes within the pastureland carrying capacities in the limited-use zone. Overloads to the pastureland in the park have been resulted from exponential herd growth and alteration in herd structures on one side and radius for pastureland use has been shrinked on other hand. For instance, the meadow steppe and steppe (southern slopes) within Eastern Sayan Range are suitable for big cattle in winters and springs. Local residents of Renchinlhumbe and Khankh soums used to follow the tradition to rotationally use the pastureland in the River valleys for the centuries, but this tradition has been ignored especially for the last 30 years because of over-stocking in the valleys. Consequently, the pastureland with sparse vegetation in high mountainous areas has been largelyovergrazed.
26 Research Report “Resource and Carrying Capacity of KLNP, 2012 D.Enkhtaivan (Dr.Sc., Short-Term Consultant), B. Munguntulga (Specialist, the PIU) 63
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Table 7. Numbers of herding families and their livestock herds from Buffer Zone soums residing within the NP, by kinds
Number Numbers Geocoor Economic s of of Soums Internal zones Horse Cattle Sheep Goat # dinate points entities househol livestock ds /total / 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 Special zone - 7 823 93 254 233 234 Khoroo’s Khankh Travel & tourism Olon Nuur - - 3 387 37 139 158 53
zone part Limited-use zone - 2 342 35829 3154 12772 9175 10728 2 Special zone ------Хилэн 3 6 1336 105 388 379 464 Chandmani-Undur Travel & tourism 100 м - - 2 306 39 89 111 67 zone 200 м - - 5 488 36 194 122 136 Limited-use zone - 17 1701 68 229 863 541 3 Special zone ------Tsagaan-Uur Travel & tourism zone ------Limited-use zone ------4 Special zone ------Alag-Erdene Travel & tourism zone ------
Limited-use zone - 29 7063 101 792 3036 3134 5 Special zone 27 27 6634 417 1416 2943 1858 Jigleg 7 7 1327 190 64 467 606 Renchinlhumbe Travel & tourism 100 m - - 9 2427 488 294 1182 463 zone 200 m - - 16 3866 255 581 1588 1442 Limited-use zone 106 21120 1965 4707 7248 7200 6 Khatgal village Special zone 8 7 679 9 218 222 230 Limited-use zone - 238 16508 1202 3853 4439 7014
Total 45 47 821 100494 8159 25166 32166 34170
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Хөвсгөл нуурын БЦГ-ын дотоод бүсчлэлийг шинэчлэн тогтоох үндэслэл, зөвлөмж
5. Analysis of changes, growth, and numbers of domestic and foreign tourists to KLNP
132. Some specific factors such as over-concentration of population in urban areas, improved living standards and private and public transportations, and increasing needs to be away from urban problems (e.g. smoke, dust, noise, etc) are pushing people to be involved in active holiday making and tripping to naturally beautiful areas. In this meaning, tourism activities are being expanding among the population. During the transition to the market economy in the country, numerous tourist camps, holiday homes, and resorts were opened and numbers of holiday makers and tourists to these destinations have rapidly increasing, in particular since 2000. Actually, urban populations prefer to spend their holidays and rests in the nature to enjoy natural beauties and breathe with fresh air in the countryside as cities are expanded and a number of concerns including environmental pollution, health problems, and stresses are faced. Khuvsgul Lake and its vicinity are the major travel distinations for domestic holiday makers and foreign toirists and attract large flows of tourists and vacationers. According to the statistics provided by the park Administration, there were a total of 7,716 including 4,164 domestic and 3,552 foreign tourists to the NP in 2004; a total of 19,210 including 14,590 domestic and 4,620 foreign tourists in 2010; and a total of 89,652 including 78,150 domestic and 11,502 foreign tourists to the NP in 201727. These statistics show that most of the tourists and holiday makers to the NP were domestic, while 12.8 percent of the total visitors were foreign tourists. However, these statistics were reversed before 2000. Domestic tourists and holiday makers were either from Ulaanbaatar city or rural areas in the country. In the past, numbers of domestic tourists to the NP were gradually increased started from 2004, but their numbers were rapidly increased especially in five years (2012-2017). Numbers of domestic tourists are likely to increase more in the future because the people prefer to go and spend their holidays in the countryside rather than staying in urban areas on one hand and economic opportunities or living standards among the population are improving on other hand. Meanwihile, a paved road was laid down between Khuvsgul Aimag’s Centre Murun-Khatgal in 2012. This improved road access to the NP has contributed in the increased number of visitors. The diagram below shows statistics and growths of domestic tourists to the NP (Diagram 3).
27 A source: Data (2004-2017) from the Administration of KLNP Д.Энхтайван ( төслийн богино хугацааны зөвлөх, доктор), Б.Мөнгөнтулга (төслийн мэргэжилтэн) 65
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Domestic tourists growth in KLNP 90000 78150 80000 70000 57824 60000 50000 42868 42097 40000 36131 28761 30000 20036 20000 14590 7282 9321 10000 4164 0 1
2004 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Diagram 3. Domestic tourist in KLNP
133. Regarding foreign tourists to the NP, most of them were from Asian and European countries. The highest percentages were recorded with tourists from the Russian Federation, Korea, the USA, Germany, France, Japan, Аustralia, Isreal, and Italy. For instance, the highest percentage was recorded with tourists from the Russian Federation (23%) in 2009 while it was with the tourists from Korea (32%) in 2010. Foreign tourists mostly spent 3 to 7 days stayed in tourist camps on the western and eastern shores of the Lake, while domestic tourists and holiday makers spent 1 to 3 days along the Lake stayed in their tents and some of them stayed in the ger camps run by local people. Some of foreign tourists did spend 1 to 2 days along the Lake and then moved to other areas imag e Jigleg mountain pass.
134. The average annual growths of tourists to the NP was about 2.0-2.5 percents and about 90 percent of them came to the NP through Khatgal entrance point while the rest was through Khankh entrance point. The meadow and meadow steppe landscape in the vicinity of Khuvsgul Lake is vulnerable to high loads of visitors and negative impacts on the Lake landscape have been evinced by deterioration of their vegetation covers, soil erosion, and the Lake’s water pollution. It shows that carrying capacities of the landscape have been overloaded. Researchers identified that the carrying capacities in the areas such as Khuzuuvchiin Shil, Upper Modot Bulan, and Jankha have been exceeded by 1.5-2 times.
Table 8.Survey statistics on the total tourists to the NP
Out of the total tourists to the NP: Years Of which: Russian Domestic Foreign Total tourists 2004 4164 3552 7716 351 2008 7282 4704 11986 722 2009 9321 4021 13342 875 2010 14590 4620 19210 1016 2011 20036 4818 24854 1143 2012 42868 6158 49026 1359
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
2013 28761 3690 32451 1367 2014 42097 3346 45443 1590 2015 57824 4994 62818 2500 2016 36131 3278 39409 2351 2017 78150 11502 89652 3818
135. Interests of tourists and types of tourism activities within the NP: 1. Travel by horse; 2. Travel by boat: travel on ship, motorized boats, and rowing boats; 3. Travel by bike 4. Travel on foot/trekking; 5. Travel by auto; 6. Wildlife (fauna and flora) observation and photographing; 7. The National Festival “Naadam”; 8. Visiting reindeer herders’ and seeing reindeers;
136. The statistics above show that numbers of tourists to the NP have continuously grown and are likely to grow more in the future. Numbers of the domestic tourists and holyday makers, who imag est to stay in the camps with decent accommodations, have also increased. Therefore, basic requirements for these camps should be upgraded to provide tourists and visitrs with adequate or standard accommodations and eco-friendly facilities. All these issues should be a part of priority considrations of the park Administration.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 16. Types of tourism activities undertaken within KLNP
4.2. Criteria for re- zoning within the NP
137. According to the Law of Mongolia on Special Protected Areas, there are three internal zones of NP: special, travel and tourism, and limited-use. Proper designations of these zones within the NP provide a basis for imag est undertaking of conservation activities and compliance with regimes within the zones, as legally stated. In fact, designation of internal
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 68
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations zones shows at what degrees the region is protected. It means that designation of conservation zone within a PA with scientific justification provides for a basis for effective management for the park conservation and sustainable. Thus, the activities to be run within the NP should meet and be regulated by the regimes of these three zones. Designation and management of internal zones within a PA are an imag est e e part of the PA management. Extents of PA conservation and utilization are regulated by its internal zones, where prohibited and permitted actitivies are defined. Therefore, zoning or designation of internal zones should be accurate and simple as much as possible. Tourism in Mongolia is basically developed following specific routes set within NPs, where boundaries of natural belts and landscapes are designated within their natural existences, not by administration unit borders. Thus, travel and tourism zones should have certain corridors interlinking them. The areas we target do also have specifc natural formations and interrelated sightseeings those are manageable through certain tourism corridors. Hense, the NPs, tourism routes, and corridors altogether create a network for tourism.
138. Accordingly, we have proposed re-zoning of the NP upon consideration of the criteria used for designation of internal zones within a park. In the meantime, we also studied the guidelines for selection of criteria: Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) prepared by the IUCN. For setting/selection of the criteria for re-zoning of the NP, we have considered priority, interrelationship/coherence, and relevance of the concerning issues such as: 1. Ecological region and landscape and their characteristics and ecosystem representations; 2. Specific natural state and formation and their combination; 3. Integrated approach to protect threatened and endangered wildlife (flora and fauna) species and their habitats; 4. Impacts of economic activities; 5. Current state and pollution of the Lake water and in the vicinity of the Lake; 6. Rational and proper ratios of the designated protected zones within the NP; 7. Tourism development and potentiality; 8. Growth of herding families and livestock herds and pastureland use 9. Eligibility/potentiality for protection; 10. Comments and feedbacks from local authorities and residents;
Ecological region, landscape, their characteristics, and ecosystem representations:
139. Located at transitions of the different natural regions extended into, Khuvsgul has the unique and somehow vulnerable ecosystems those play a special role in maintaining ecological balance throughout Mongolia. Khuvsgul ecosystem includes itself the different types of landscapes: alpine tundra, high mountain ranges, depressions and vallyes between the mountains and rivers, which are dissimilar to the rest of natural (ecological) regions in the country. 140. According to its represented natural/ecological region, the NP lies in the sub-region of Western Khuvsgul which is dominant by alpine tundra and boreal forest landsapes of the region of Eg-Selenge Mountain boreal forest of great region of Trans-Baikal Mountain Boreal Forest.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations 141. According to its relief and landscape, the NP is generally mountainous, where alpine tundra, high mountain ranges, middle mountains, depressions and valleys between mountains and rivers co-exit. In the north and west from Khuvsgl Lake, East Sayan Mountain system stretches along the altitude and high mountains with alpine tundra, sharp peaks, and steep and often cut slopes and ridges. Relief in the east from Khuvsgul Lake is quite different from that in the west. The mountains on the east are lower and of plateau features. Their average heights are 1900-2200 m and have mostly rounded and flat tops. Tops of the mountains are rarely conspicuous over their forests. There is only one mountain called as Kheven Zaluu Uur Saridag with a bare or unforested top (2500-2600 m a.s.l) located near upper area of Uur River and continued to the state border. The mountains in the south of this Mountain have flat tops and are continued as a mountain mass. There are aslo some depressions of tectonic origin located along the longtitute. Amongst, the biggest one is Khuvsgul Lake’s depression surrounded by splendid high mountains with alpine tundra and their ranges in the west and by middle mountains in the east. The depression occupies about 180 km distance stretched from the north to the south starting from the southern bottom of Burenkhan Mountain to Khavirga Mountain Range, which is continued to the valley of Eg River. About 140 km of the depression is covered by the Lake’s water. The widest part of the depression reaches 40 km in its northern part. The depression’s bottom has 1400 m absolute height. The depression contains Khuvsgul Lake, the freshest water in the country. So, we have imag est these specific natural features for the proposed re-zoning of the NP as one of the criteria.
142. Regarding the represented ecosystems, the KLNP includes the following ecosystems: alpine tundra 9.0%, alpine meadow 0.8 %, high mountain steppe 3.4%, boreal forest 40%, forest 11.6 %, forest steppe 3.6 %, floodplain and floodplain steppe meadow 7.6,8%, lakes 23.9 %, and sand 0.1 %. Parts of all these represented ecosystems are included in the NP’s protection zone. Given the circumstances, we considered them for designation of special and travel and tourism zones within the NP.
143. Natural beauty and specific formations: Khuvsgul Lake and its surrounding areas have abundant recreational conditions and resources, which are ideal for tourism activities. For instance, East Sayan Mountain range and continued high mountains with sharp steep peaks and steep slopes; its highest peak, Burenkhaan with permanent snow cover; ancient glaciers: moraine dam, deep blue lake (Khuvsgul) and its bays and creeks along the Lake’s shores; islands (Dalai Khui, Modot Khui, and Khadan Khui) in the Lake water; ancient mountain tops, cliffs, and canyons; fast running fresh water rivers and streams originated from mountains, mineral water bodies; high mountain passess; boreal forests; diverse species of wild berries; rare medicinal plant species including Saussurea involucrate, Juniperus imag , and the fauna species such as musk deer, Eurasian otter, sable, reindeer, moose, etc.
144. Integrated approach to protect threatened and endangered wildlife (flora and fauna) species and their habitats: This is one of key criteria for designation of internal zones within the NP. In terms of its orographic system, land surface formation, and landscape composition, the NP has specific and diverse wildlife habitats and provides for core distribution, breeding, and refuge/dwelling areas for wildlife, in particular very rare and rare wild species in the country. The areas are distributed by the protected and rare species such as brown bear, red
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations deer, reindeer, moose, sable, musk deer, wild pig, ibex and Altay snow cock from birds (See Figure 7; Appendix). In terms of their distributions and occurrence, these species co-exist within the NP, but their populations are not dense. There are 19 game species of mammal inhabiting. Out of them, the Asiatic wild dog has become endangered, the populations of sable, Eurasian otter, Siberian mole, and reindeer have threatened and their distribution areas have become small and limited to the area near the Mongolian and Russian border. The target species in the basin are the red deer, reindeer (wild), and moose. The reindeer occur in vicinities of Kheven Zaluu Uur Saridag and the state border. During the 2012 census, there were over 40 reindeer individuals counted. A herd of the wild reindeer includes 5-8 individuals and about 10 the maximum. However, the population of roe deer has been increased lately.
145. The rare and valued plant species: Saussurea imag est e is grown on tops of high mountains and the medicinal plants such as the Juniperus imag , Rhodiola rosea, and Aquilegia and the wild berries such as blackberry, blueberry, cowberry, redberry, and cranberry are abundant on these mountains.
146. For re-establishment of internal zones (in particular for designation of the special zone) within the NP, we aimed to include core distribution and breeding areas of the rare, threatened, and endangered wild species in the protection zone in order to protect the rare and very rare wild (flora and fauna) species along with their habitats. Mountainous areas support diverse habitats and are the vulnerable ecosystem, which is easily affected by climate change and improper human activities. We do regard that parts of all the ecosystems be included in the special zone since they are important for mitigation of the constraints to the biodiversity. Thus, the special zone is relatively large or covers 60.5% of the NP’s total area.
147. Impacts of economic activities: To date, a total of 117 economic entities and individuals are licensed for tourism businesses within the KLNP. For now, 53 tour camps are concentrated and run in areas Khuzuuvchiin Shil, Upper and Lower Modot Bulan, Jankhai, Toilogt, and Ongolog on the western shore and in areas Mergen and Alag Tsar on the eastern shore of the Lake (Figure 2). There are also four households living in houses “Jijig Khot Ail” (“Small Settlement). There are also 32 ger camps seasonally operational within Jankhai part in summers. In addition to these, there are 821 households with 100,494 heads of livestock residing (Figure 1).
148. Therefore, the current land use practices are considered for re-establishment of the limited-use zone within the NP. Also, the areas, through which local dirt roads pass and locations of seasonal (winter, spring, summer, and autumn) campsites of local herders and tour camps are included in the limited-use zone of the NP. The strip areas at up to 100 m from the Lake’s shores are included in the travel and tourism zone of the NP as water protection zone. Within this zone, there are 31 tour camps, and 20 winter and spring campsites included.
149. Rational and proper ratios of the protection zones within the NP:For this consideration, we have taken into account the landscape formations, representations of the
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations ecosystems, target areas and species (for conservation and research), specific features of the areas: scenic areas, rare fauna and flora species and their distributions; the potentiality of tourism development, recreational resources, natural resource use, and economic activities as the criteria while considered them against the protection regimes and their percentages within the protection zone. Rational and proper ratios of the protected zones are, indeed, one of the important indicators for designation of the internal zones. However, we think that sticking to a model based on the site-specific characteristics might be a biased approach. Therefore, we overlooked this for the zoning. The proposed internal zones include the special zone consisted of 8 parts covering 711318.0 ha and which makes up 60.5 % of the NP’s total area. In this zone, the natural phenomena and variations are studied within their evoluation and processes. The travel and tourism zone consisted of 3 parts and 5 corridors covering 238738.4 ha and makes up 24.1% of the NP’s total area. This zone includes the Khuvsgul Lake and its surrounding areas those attract tourists and visitors. There is one limited-use zone covering 180545.6 ha, which makes up 15.4 % of the NP’s total area. The limited-use zone includes the areas, where most of the current seasonal (winter, spring, summer, and autumn) campsites of local herders and tour camps lie.
150. Tourism development and potentiality: One of the primary activities undertaken in the KLNP is to develop environmentally friendly tourism (eco-tourism). Therefore, the tour camps located in the limited-use zone provide services of this type to foreign and domestic tourists. However, the current locations, areas, carrying capacities, travel routes, and services of the tourist camps are impacting on the Lake’s water and soils in its vicinity caused water and soil pollution, soil disturbance, loss of vegetation covers, and pushing away of wild species nearby, and dust within their environment. All these impacs, in turn, are causing indirect impacts on the interrelationship and relevance of the Lake’s water and its shores. These considerations, an important part of the criteria for the proposed internal zones within the NP, are specific for the NP. It means the key tourism products e.g. the specific land surface formations, the landscapes, the biodiversity co-existence, the riparian zone in the limited-use zone, and the tourism development potentiality are unique or dissimilar to those in other NPs in the country. Thus, these site-specific characteristics are taken into as the criteria.
151. Locations of herders’ seasonal (winter and spring) campsites, growth of herds, and pastureland use: for designation of the internal zones within the KLNP, the analysis of the current seasonal movements of local herders, herd statistics, pastureland and forage resources, and pastureland use practices within the park will be key basilines. There are 165 herding families of Bagh No. 3 and 4 of Renchinlhumbe soum, 29 households of Alag-Erdene soum for spending their winters and springs, 30 households of Chandmani-Under soum for spending their summers and autumns, 352 households of Khankh soum, and 238 herding families of Khatgal village residing the NP all year around. Lately, the concerns such as over- stocking of herds, the highest percentages of goats and horses among the herds, use of pastureland without rotations, and overgrazing have raised within the NP. Thus, these considerations are important for re-establishing the internal zones, especially the limited-use zone. 152. The eligibility/potentiality for protection: when proposing the protection zone within a PA, it is worthy to consider whether the area is eligible for the protection regimes. It is useful
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations for implementation of conservation activities within the area and keeping proper ratios of internal zones within the PA. There are high and middle mountains and their ranges continued in the northern part of KLNP along the state border. These mountains have the steep rocky tops and slopes, which are rarely accessible and reachable by human and livestock. It would say they are “naturally” protected. Thus, we have taken into account either these naturally protected areas or the target areas in need to be protected with high protection regimes when proposing the internal zones within the NP.
153. Comments and feedbacks from the local authorities and residents: consultation and receiving comments and feedbacks from respective local authorities and residents are mandatory when developing a proposal for PA. That is why, we consulted and received comments on the proposed internal zones within the NP from the local governments, specialists, officers, rangers and local people. We organized two rounds of consultations and meetings with local authorities and residents of Alag-Erdene, Renchinlhumbe, Khankh, Chandmani-Erdene, and Tsagaan-Uur soums and Khatgal village. Also, we had meetings- discussions with the relevant officials and officers from the Department and Divisions of Protected Area Management and Forest, Water, Cadastral, Tourism of MET and tourist camps running in the NP for receiving their comments and feedbacks on the proposal. Upon consideration of comments and feedbacks from these parties, we proposed the NP’s internal zones that includes the special zone consisted of eight parts; the travel and tourism zone consisted of four parts and seven corridors, and one limited-use zone. The local (soums) governments sent us official letters, where they have supported the proposed internal zones of the NP (Figure 17, Table 9).
4.3. Sizes and boundaries of the internal zones, (hectares)
Table 9. Covering areas of the internal zones, (hectares) in 2019
Total areas, ha № Internal zones (by the areas’ names): Areas (hа) (%) Sayan О-1 62123.4 Uran Dush-Ulzii Khash О-2 108931.6 Kheven-Zaluu Uur Uilgana О-3 276559.9 Doloon Mountain О-4 9774.1 711318.0 1 Khankh Olon Nuur О-5 274.0 (60.5%)
Special zone Sant О-6 245265.6 Khaich О-7 7853.2 Islands О-8 536.3 Khuvsgul Lake –peri-shores А-1 278554.5 Ikh Khoroo Olon Nuur А-2 797.9 Shar Nuur А-3 493.1 Sagnag-Shuvtargyn Uzuur А-4 5544.8 289376.3 2 Chochuu Mountain А.к-1 10.4 (24.6%) Jigleg А.к-2 321.0 Burenkhaan Mountain А.к-3 15.2 Khust uliin davaa(Pass of Tourism and travel zone Corridors А.к-4 26.8 Ul)
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Sant(Tsagaan kholboo А.к-5 66.3 lake) Ganshuul-Kheven River А.к-6 2112.8 Uur River А.к-7 1433.5 3 Limited-use zone 175000.7 175000.7 (14.9%)
Total 1175695.1 100%
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 17.Re-zoning of KLNP, 2019
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Table 10. Areas of the internal zones (by soums) in 2018
Proposed areas from the soums (hа) № Internal zones(by the areas’ names): Chandmani Tsagaan- Alag- Renchin- Khankh -Undur Uur Erdene Lhumbe Sayan О-1 0.0 0.0 30206.0 0.0 31917.3 Uran Dush-Ulzii Khash О-2 0.0 0.0 55645.4 10768.5 42517.8 Kheven-Zaluu Uur Uilgana О-3 0.0 232684.6 43875.3 0.0 0.0 Doloon Mountain О-4 0.0 0.0 9774.1 0.0 0.0 1 Khankh Olon Nuur О-5 0.0 0.0 274.0 0.0 0.0
Special zone Sant О-6 47053.8 97123.1 95543.9 0.0 0.0 Kaich О-7 0.0 0.0 0.0 7853.2 0.0 Islands О-8 0.0 0.0 536.3 0.0 0.0 Khuvsgul Lake –peri-shores А-1 0.0 0.0 278554.5 0.0 0.0 Ikh Khoroo Olon Nuur А-2 0.0 0.0 797.9 0.0 0.0 Shar Nuur А-3 0.0 0.0 493.1 0.0 0.0 Sagnag-Shuvtargyn Uzuur А-4 5544.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Chochuu Mountain А.к-1 0.0 0.0 0.0 10.4 0.0 Jigleg А.к-2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 321.0 2 Burenkhaan Mountain А.к-3 0.0 0.0 15.2 0.0 0.0 Khust-Uliin davaa, Ul А.к-4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 26.8 River(Pass of Ul) Sant(Tsagaan Kholboo Travel & tourism zone Corridors А.к-5 66.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 lake) Ganshuul-Kheven River А.к-6 0.0 1540.6 572.2 0.0 0.0 Uur River A.k-7 0.0 1433.5 0.0 0.0 0.0
3 Limited-use zone 39151.8 0.0 91866.9 38691.2 10835.9
154. The special zone: for designation of the zone, first of all, we considered the natural regions and belts, landscape types and their representations, preservation of the ecosystem in its natural state, naturally beautiful or scenic areas, recreational resources, distributions and occurrence of rare or threatened fauna and flora species and their representatives, breeding areas, natural phenomena, natural processes and their interrelationships and interactions, evoluation dynamics, potentialities of their detailed studies and protection, needs and requirements, and the comments provided by local stakeholders. Upon consideration of all these characteristics as the criteria, we proposed the special zone imag est of eight parts: Uran Dush-Ulzii Khash; Sayan; Kheven Zaluu Uur-Uilgan; Doloon Mountain; Khank Olon Nuur; Sant; Khaich; and Islands (in the middle of the Lake) (Table 11). This zone basically includes the intact/untouched areas those are in their natural states and free of human use. The areas with economic activities, except for a very few winter and spring campsites, are not included in this zone, so the protection regime will complied with. The special zone has a total of 711,318.0 hectares in its covering area, of which: 108,931.6 ha is covered by Urandush-Ulzii Khash section; 62,123.4 ha by Sayan section; 276559.9 hа by Kheven Zaluu Uur-Uilgan section; 9774.1 ha by Doloon Mountains section, 274.0 ha by
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations Khankh Olon Lakes section, 245265.6 ha by Sant section, 7853.2 hа by Khaich section, and 536.3 ha by Islands section. This zone covers 60.5 % of the NP’s total area.
Table 11. Specific natural features of the sections in the special zone # Sections Specific natural features 1 Urandush-Ulzii Khash High mountains with steep slopes on the west from Khuvsgul Lake: distributed by the Red List species such as ibex, snow leopard, stone martin, Altay snow cock, and Asiatic wild dog listed; and the diverse landscapes coexisting, where major rivers are originated; and Khar Us mineral water body; 2 Sayan High mountains & alpine with sharpened snow capped peaks and steep slopes, representatives of Eastern Sayan ecosystem, are abundant with ancient glaciers on their surfaces; 3 Doloon Mountains Distributed by the species e.g. red deer, brown bear, rod deer, and wild pig; 4 Kheven Zaluu Uur Uilgan Suitable habitats for wild reindeer, red deer, moose, ibex, and wild pig; a core inflowing for replenishment and preservation of flow regimes of Selenge River; 5 Khankh Olon Lakes Provides the secondary inflowing source; supports breeding ground of Arctiv cisco; and nesting grounds and important bird area; 6 Sant The section with the highest populations of red deer, rod deer, musk deer, wild pig, white-tailed eagle, and osprey; 7 Khaich Distributed by the endangered species such as red deer, roe deer, red fox, wolf, marmot, Eurasian badger, and white-tailed eagle; 8 Islands in Khuvsgul Lake Three islands: Modon Khui, Khadan Khui, and Khui Tolgoi located in Khuvsgul Lake; the islands are likely to be affected by travellers; Modon Khui island is entirely forested,where wildlife occur in winters, while Khadan Khui island is a nesting ground for birds;
Boundaries of the special zone:
One. Uran Dush-Ulzii Khash section: 155. Its starting point: E990 56’ 47.59”, N 510 39’ 26.254” at the NP boundary in the northwest, then going to point 2293.6 in the southeast, going down along a small tributary river in the west of Ikh Khoroo River to E1000 3’ 53.559”, N510 38’ 27.158”, then going along the floodplain in the southern bank of the River and along the mountain bottom to the area opposite Ikh Khoroo River and Avshaan River delta (E100°18’45.777” , N51°38’58.040”), then crossing at E 100°23’26.831”,N51°38’42.258” the boundary of Renchinlhumbe and Khankh soums; thereafter, going to point 216.0 in eastern part of Khuush Mountain in Khankh territory, then going to point 2077.0 in the southwest, then crossing over Khongor Buush River, reaching point 2102.8 in the east of Shavlag Mountain, crossing Rivers Tokhmog (E100°19’56.259”, N51°31’21.798”) and Shurgaag (E100°18’13.241”, N51°29’30.379”), going to point 2094.2, then crossing Mungarag River at Mungarag-Tsagaan Salaa River delta, then crossing Khotnii River (E100°15’31.528”, N51°23’46.338”), going to points 1767.0 and 1682.0 located in the eastern tip of Temeen Khusuu Mountain, then going in the south: to a nameless point (E100°14’28.552”,N51°18’6.640”) at Ulzii Khash Range continued to Khuvsgul Lake. Then, going to point (E 100°14’15.165”,N51°16’54.453”) on the eastern shore of a small lake in the north of point 2611.0, going along eastern bottom or forest of Ulzii Khash Range in the D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 77
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations southeast and along the Lake’s floodplain, crossing Ulii River (E100°16’38.627”, N51°12’18.966”), going into the territory of Renchinlhumbe soum: crossing Duberleg River (E100°17’36.021”,N51°09’50.101”), going to point 2105.9 at the eastern edge of Ulaan Taiga Range, then crossing Uvur Khachim River (E100°17’05.798”,N51°06’57.487”), going in the southwest to point 2234.5, going to Duberleg Mountain (2470.4), going to point 2260.4, crossing Jigleg River (E100°16’12.748”,N51°00’36.744”) in the southeast, going along eastern bottom of Jigleg Mountain in the southwest to point 2059.0, then going to point 1668.8 in the southeast, then the boundary of Renchinlhumbe and Alag-Erdene soums (E100°13’31.330”, N51°48’07.953”), then going into Alag-Erdene soum territory: upper area of Khundlun Ekh (E100°13’35.121”,N51°46’02.384”), going in the southwest: crossing Rivers: Khas Sair (E100°12’29.186”, N50°44’11.861”), Оngolog (E100°10’01.232”N50°42’.25.837”), and Khirvist (E100°09’53.769”,N50°41’26.409”), going in the south to point 2007.0 in the east of Khirvist Mountain, to point 1946.0 in the north of Urinai Mountain, then going to point 2094.2 on Urinai Mountain on the NP boundary, and then going to the north: along the NB boundary to the starting point: the southern slope of Utrag Davaa (E990 56’ 47.59”N510 39’ 26.254”).
Two. Sayan section: 156. Its starting point: point 2972.0 at the Mongolian-Russian border in the northwest, going along the state border in the east to E100 0 51’ 40.073”,N510 36’ 4.89”, going in the southwest: to point 1816.5 in Khankh territory, then crossing Ovoo River to the inspection point, then crossing Tsagaan Sair River to E100046’1.66”,N510 36’ 12.188”, point 1939.0, Bayasgalan Mountain pass, (2056.0), then going in the northwest: crossing Bayan River (E1000 38’, 3.949”, N510 39’ 36.945”), points 885.0 and 2022.0, then going in the northwest: going along the southern shores of two small lakes, and reaching the southern shore of the lake in the west (E1000 26’ 52.800”, N510 40’ 51.242”). Thereafter, going in the southwest: crossing Lower Abshaan River, entering Renchinlhumbe soum territory: point 2039.0, then crossing Rivers Abshaan (E1000 22’ 44.092”, N510 40’ 29.228”), Teekhishig (E1000 20’ 14.666”,N510 39’ 59.450”), and Khar Chiireg (E1000 18’ 30.923”,N510 39’ 40.774”), going to point 2431.0 in upper part of Khar Chiireg River, going along the mountain bottom and then going up along the northern bank of Nariin Khoroo River, reaching Khendel River delta (2008.0), crossing the river, going to the south: going down the river valley and the end (E1000 14’ 14.303”, N510 39’ 30.363”), going in the west: going along the mountain bottom towards and crossing Saridag Siireg River (E1000 7’28.851”,N510 39’ 3.739”), and reaching point 2054.0 in floodplain of Ikh Khoroo River. Thereafter, going in the northwest: along Ikh River floodplain to E1000 0’ 3.747”,N510 41’ 25.613”, where going to the northwest: crossing Ikh Khoroo River (E990 59’ 30.029”, N510 41’ 19.397”) , going in the southeast: going down along Ikh Khoroo River to point 2091.0, going in the south: going down through Ikh Khoroo River valley to E1000 3’ 5.706”,N510 38’ 57.985”, then going in the southeast: E1000 3’ 25.428”, N510 38’ 42.357”, going in the northwest: along the esternmost end of Davaa Mountai (3088.0), going along the mountain bottom in the northwest, and coming to the NP boundary (E990 56’ 30.047”,N510 39’ 41.002”). Тhereafter, going in the north: going along the NP boundary or Tsul Khoid Mountain (2872.0), passing along tops of points 3044.0 and 2975.0, then going in the northeast: top og Ukha Range (3107.3), and coming to the starting point 2972.4 at the state border.
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Three. Kheven Zaluu Uur-Uilgan section: 157. Its starting point: E100 0 51’ 40.073”,N510 36’ 4.89” at the Mongolian-Russian border in the northwest, going aling the state border in the east: to Khas Undur (2636.4), then going in the west: entering Tsagaan-Uur soum territory, going along the KLNP boundary to mountain pass point 1943.0, then point 1906.0, going to the easternmost edge of Kheven River valley (з.у.1010 29’ 06.735”, х.ө. 5104’09.754”) located at the NP boundary, then going in the north: going up along Kheven River valley, coming to point 1968.6 on the river bank, then going in the west: going along Kheven’s western tributary river and reaching Ganshuul Davaa (2147.0). Thereafter, going in the west: going to Alag Dаvaa (2192.5), Khoid Baga Tag Davaa (2192.5), then going along Tsagaan-Uur and Khankh soum boundary, reaching a delta of Zurkh Baruun and Ikh Khuremt Rivers, then going in the northwest: going to point 2198.0, then going along tops of Ikh Tag Davaa (2202.0), point 2053.0 (Davaa-mountain pass), then crossing Jilge River at E100 0 55’ 39.945”,N510 20’ 7.276”, then going in the north: Bayan Ulaan Ovoo Mountain top (1970.2), Turuug Ereen Tag Mountain (2316.1), then crossing Toi River’s upper part, going to Toi Jinst Mountain (2351.4), then crossing Nariin Khankh River, reaching point 2302.0, then going in the northeast: crossing Ikh Khankh River, then Undur Mountain (2097.8), and then coming to the starting point: E1000 51’40.073”,N51036’4.89” at the state border.
Four. Sant section: 158. Its starting point: E100 0 55’ N39.158” the southernmost edge of Turuu River valley in the northwest, then going along Khoid Baga Tag Davaa top (2192.5) and Alag 51019’53.653”, going in the east: going along the southern shore of Jilge Lake, crossing Jilge River (E1000 58’47.091”, N51019’35.921”), going in the southeast: going along the southern slope of mointain pass point 2053.0, going in the east: the southern slope of Ikh Tag Davaa top (2202.0), then going in the southeast: crossing Zurkh Baruun River (E1010 9’38.274”, N51016’58.644”), reaching mountain pass top point 2192.5, then crossing Alag River and the southern slope of Ganshuul Davaa top (1147.0), going in the northeast: E1010 21’8.113’’, N51016’29.074’’, going in the southeast: going down along the river in the west of Kheven River valley, and then coming at the NP boundary (E1010 28’54.835’’,N51004’1.235’’). Thereafter, going in the southwest: going aling the NP boundary, going along the mountain pass top 1785.0, then going in the northwest: Urkhii Nuruu (1887.0) and Ikh Khelen Davaa (1753.0), going in the north: going at 20 m in the east of and from the auto road between Khatgal and Khankh, coming to Nuur Davaa (1732.0), then going in the west: coming at E1000 31’2.611’’,N50045’25.683’’ on the shore of Khuvsgul Lake, then going in the north: going along the Lake shore, coming at E1000 45’8.405’’, N51012’42.465’’ at Noyon River’s lower area. Thereafter, going in the east: going up Noyon River’s valley, crossing the river at E1000 50’20.639’’, N51011’23.737’’, then returning back: going down along the norther valley of the river, coming at E1000 48’41.553’’, N51012’17.634’’, then going in the northeast: going up Ikh Noyon River valley, and coming at point 1869.0. Then, crossing the river, going in the north: point 2030.8, crossing Shognuul River, point 1979.5, crossing Jilge River, point 1999.3, and then coming to the starting point: E100 0 55’ 39.158’’, N 51019’53.653’’ the southernmost edge of Turuu River valley.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations Five. Doloon Mountains section: 159. Its starting point in the northwest: lower area of Berkh River, going along the shoreline of Khuvsgul Lake, passing along Doloon Mountain, and reaching point 1645.2 at the shoreline of Khuvsgul Lake. Thereafter, going in the north: E100°16’38.38”, N51°21’ 34.383”, going in the northeast: going along the northern shore of Khotnii Buleg Lake or E100°17’ 35.166”, N 51°21’ 57.595” and E100°18’12.625”, N°21’ 58.413”, then going in the southeast: crossing Khotnii River, and coming at the northern bottom of Doloon Mountain (E100°18’53.987”, N51°21’ 34.927”). Thereafter, going in the northeast: passing along the northern bottom of Doloon Mountain E100°21’ 5.589”, N51°22’ 56.068”, then going in the north: E100°21’6.548”, N51°23’ 28.618”, going in the northwest: E100°20’18.067”, N51°23’ 55.659”, and E100°19’19.216”, N 51°24’ 0.668”, going in the northeast along the northern bottom of the Mountain, and then coming at the starting point: lower area of Berkh River.
Six. Khaich section: 160. Its starting point: from Mergen Ar River, going in the southeast: along forest to Sagsag Davaa (1860,5), then going in the east along the auto track to point 1807,3., going in the northwest: Dorgot Am, Dorgot Davaa, Darkhin Hill, Lower Khar Khad forest edge, and Sant Middle Hill, then going in the south: along Khuvsgul Lake shore, then along Balchirgant Am, Balchirgant Davaa, Nariin Uvur (1757,0), along the Lake shore, and then coming at Mergen River.
Seven. Khankh Olon Lakes section: 161. Its starting point: point 1 on shore of the lake located at the southeastern edge of Arvan Gurvan Ovoo, going in the northwest: going along auto track along Khankh River bank, crossing Khakh River bridge, going in the southeast: going along the auto track to lower area of Tsagaan Khujirt River, going in the west: along the lake shore, and coming at the starting point 1.
Eigth. Section of Islands in Khuvsgul Lake: 162. Three islands: Modon Khui, Khadan Khui, and Khui Tolgoi lie in the special zone of the NP.
163. The travel and tourism zone: for designation of this zone, we considered natural feastures, scenic areas, diverse landscapes co-existing, recreational resources, and needs and potentiality of tourism development within the NP as the main criteria. Khuvsgul Lake and its vicinities are ideal for tourism development and abundant by the recreational conditions and resources attracting flows of foreign and domestic tourists in the country. The Lake Khuvsgul is the largest fresh water lake not only in Mongolia, but also in the Central Asia. Thus, we have proposed to include surrounding areas up to 100 m from lake shores in the travel and tourism zone in accordance with the Law of Mongolia on Water since pollution of Khuvsgul Lake water and soils along the shore is a threat to the Lake ecosystem. Currently, there are a total of 31 tourist camps in operation in this zone. Moreover, there are 18 camps located within 50 m from the Lake’s shore, which is the special protection zone; 13 camps within 100 m from the Lake’s shore, which is the protection zone; and seven camps within 200 m from the Lake’s shore, which is the ordinary protection zone; and 15 camps within
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations more than 200 m from the Lake’s shore. The travel and tourism zone covers a total of 289,283.2 hectares or 24.6 % of the NP’s total area. The zone has four parts: Khuvsgul Lake- its shore; Ikh Khoroo Olon Nuur; Shar Nuur; and Sagnag-Shuvtargyn Uzuur; and seven corridors covering 3,892.9 hectares which include: Jigleg; Chochuu; Burenkhaan; Ganshuul- Kheven River; Uur River; Sant and Khusht Uliin davaa. Like ecological corridors, the tourism corridors are designated based on the key natural elements: river valleys and rivers and the prevailing travel routes.
164. The section of Khuvsgul Lake-its shore in the travel and imag e zone includes Khuvsgul Lake and other lakes such as Toilogt, Ongolog, Ar and Uvur Khelt, Khorkhoit, and Khachim located in its vicinity. In addition to these lakes, it includes the bays and rocky areas such as Shuvtargyn Uzuur and Somoo Rock those are imag est into these lakes and the surrounding areas within 100 m from the lakes’ shores which are taken as a water protection zone.
Boundaries of the travel and tourism zone:
One. Khuvsgul Lake-riparian zone: 165. Its starting point in the imag est: (E100°30’41.485”, N 51°33’44.649”) nearby lower are of Ikh Khoroo River, going at 100 m from the Lake shore, continued along the northern shore of the Lake, and coming at E100°37’35.130”, N51°31’20.617” at the boundary of Khankh soum centre’s land. Thereafter, and going in the south: along the Lake shore and the boundary of Khankh soum centre’s land to its southernmost edge (see Khankh Resolution). Then, continued at the same distance (100m) from the Lake shore and coming at the lower area of Khankh River (E100°43’30.00”, N51°27’30.019”). Next, going along the boundary of Khankh Olon Lakes’ special zone, coming at E100°45’53.677”, N51°26’44.346”, then going along the Lake shore (at the same distance- 100m), then reaching the northwest (E1000 45’8.405’’,N 51012’42.465’’) of Sant special zone in lower area of Noyon River, then crossing the special zone boundary in the south, and reaching E1000 31’2.611’’, N50045’25.683’’. Then, going going along the Lake shore (at the same distance- 100m), reaching the northeasternmost edge (E1000 20’14.685’’, N50032’09.648’’) of Khaich special zone, going along the special zone boundary, and reaching E1000 15’17.064’’, N50031’44.783’’. Then, going along the Lake shore (at the same distance-100m), and coming at Eg River bridge. From the bridge, going along the Lake shore or the boundary of Khatgal village’s land, then from E100°09’45.136”, N50°28’56.389”, which is oppoisite Khuzuuvch Ar camp, going along shores of Khuvsgul Lake and other continued small lakes (at the same distance-100m), and reaching point 1645.2 at the southwestern boundary of Doloon Mountains special zone. From the boundary, going along the Lake shore or special zone bounar to lower area of Berkh River (E100022’16.28’’, N 51025’31.465’’), continued along the Lake shore (at the same distance-100m), and coming at E100°28’07.338”, N51°31’57.752” at the boundary of Khoroo Olon Lakes’ tourism zone.
Two. Ikh Khoroo section: 166. Its starting point of Ikh Khoroo Olon Lakes’ traval and tourism zone in the northwest: starting from E100°28’07.338”, N51°31’57.752” on Khuvsgul Lake shore at 1.5 km from
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations lower area of Khongor Buush River in the east, going in the northwest: Olon Lakes’ East Hill (E100°27’17.184”, N51°32’31.171”), Small Lake’s western edge (E100°26’41.215”, N 51°33’21.143”), the western Lake shore (E100°26’29.884”, N51°33’59.103”), going in the northeast: a namelss lake’s north (E100°27’09.485”, N51°34’30.586”), going in the southeast: E100°27’35.202”, N51°34’17.766” and E100°28’08.063”, N51°33’07.309” and then Small Lake’s north E100°29’16.468”, N51°32’39.884”, going in the northeast: E100°29’15.961”, N 51°32’41.192”, then Ikh Khoroo River’s lower area (E100°29’45.04”, N51°33’04.668”), then going up along the western bank of Ikh Khoroo River, and reaching E100°29’40.564”, N 51°33’29.085”, then crossing the river, going in the east: going along the north of Zuun Salaa, reaching E100°30’30.679”, N51°33’43.692”, and the Lake’s shore (E100°30’41.485”, N 51°33’44.649”), then going in the southeast: going along the Lake shoreline (at the same distance-100m), and reaching the starting point E100°28’07.338”, N51°31’57.752”.
Three. Shar Lake section: 167. Its starting point in the northwest: E100°27’20.853”, N51°40’40.539” at Sayan special zone boundary, going in the east: along the special zone boundry, and reaching E100°30’06.35”,N51°40’11.88”. Thereafter, going in the south: E100°30’17.195”, N 51°39’59.137”, then going in the southwest: E100°30’02.307”,N51°39’40.744”, then going in the west: Bayan-Oivi Mountain (2298.5) northern foothill or along the southern shore of Shar Lake and then coming at E100°27’45.597”, N51°39’24.215”. Then, going in the northwest: E100°27’24.971”,N51°39’32.365”, then going through E100°27’19.499”, N51°39’43.122”, and then coming at the starting point: E100°27’20.853”, N 51°40’40.539” at Sayan special zone boundary.
Four. Sagnag-Shuvtargyn Uzuur section: 168. Its starting point in the northwest: E1000 31’2.611’’, N50045’25.683’’ at Khuvsgul Lake shore, going in the east: Nuur Davaa (1732.0), then going in the south: at 20 km distance from and in the west of Khankh-Khatgal auto track, and coming at Ikh Khelen Davaa (1753.0). Thereafter, going along forest on the eastern foothill of Sagnag Ovoo Mountain, coming at E1000 30’39.05’’, N50039’0.2’’ and E1000 30’33.858’’, N50038’15.893’’, going to point 1794.9, then going in the northwest: along the eastern foothill of Sagnag Ovoo Mountain and coming at E1000 26’58.968’’, N50040’20.529’’. Next, going in the southwest: going along the forest , coming at E1000 26’06.06’’, N50039’25.331’’, then going in the southeast: coming at E1000 26’33.578’’, N 50039’14.245’’ at 100 m from the Lake shore, going along the Lake shore, and then coming at the starting point E1000 31’2.611’’,N50045’25.683’’
169. Travel and tourism corridors:
1. Jigleg: Going through Uran Dush-Ulzii Khash special zone, this corridor lasts along auto and horseriding tracks between the western shore of Khuvsgul Lake and Jigleg Davaa (mountain pass). These tracks are often used by horse-riding tourists between Khuvsgul Lake and Darkhad Depression. 2. Chuchuu:
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations Going through Uran Dush-Ulzii Khash special zone, this corridor has a track for hiking, horse-trekking, and biking to Khyasaa top. 3. Burenkhaan: Going through Sayan special zone, this corridor has a track for climbing to Burenkhaan Mountain peak. 4. Ganshuul –Kheven River: Going through Kheven Zaluu Uur-Uilgan special zone, this corridor starts at Turuu River (E100°55’59.849”, N 51°20’6.680”) located at the special zone boundary, then going in the east: along a hors-trekking track, crossing Jilge River (E100°59’02.137”, N51°19’35.499”) then coming to point Davaa (mountain pass) 2053.0, going over Ikh Tag Davaa (2202.0), then going in the southeast: West Zurkh River-Ikh Khur Mod River delta, then going over Alag Davaa (2192.5) and Ganshuul Davaa (2147.0), going in the east: Kheven River (1568.6), going along Kheven River, going till the NP boundary (Boating in Kheven River).
5. Uur River: Going through Kheven Zaluu Uur-Uilgan special zone, this corridor starts at Khugshin Uur- Yalar delta at the NP boundary or along Khugshin, Zaluu, and Uur Rivers floodplain, going along floodplain to Zaluu Uur River delta, then going to the first tributary (E 101°33’44.645”, N 51°09’54.270”) on the west of the River, going along floodplain of Khugshin Uur River to lower area of Saravslag River, then crossing the River and going up to lower area of Khuiten Jalga, and then from Yalar River’s lower area to the border observation unit (E101°38’06.386”, N51°07’30.775”).
6. Khusht Uliin davaa-Ul Rive(Pass of Ul)r:
Going through Urandush-Ulzii Khash special zone, this corridor starts at Renchinlhumbe soum center going along western shore of Khuvsgul lake and it is a horse trekking track. The travel route starts at going through Oroovor Canion, crossing peak of the Nusgen Uliin davaa (2281.0) and reach the peak of the Khusht Uliin davaa (2116.0). From there you can see the entire Khuvsgul Lake. From the peak of the Uliin davaa continue go down along the Ul river until downstream of the river and continue the travel route along the river basin of Khuvsgul lake.
7. Sant(Tsagaan-Kholboo lake):
Passing through the Sant special zone in the eastern part of Khuvsgul lake, this corridor is designed for horse trekking trail to see the unique nature and beauty of Khuvsgul lake. Going through Tsagaan-Uul-Santiin davaa-Kets uvur davaa and reaching the border of the Khuvsgul lake from there continue travel through limited zone/car road of Santiin davaa.
170. The limited-use zone: boundaries of the limited use zone overlap with external boundaries of the NP and boundaries of the special and travel and tourism zones. The zone covers a total of 175,000.7 hectares or 14.9 % of the NP’s total area. In this zone, all the activites permitted in the Law on SPAs are undertaken. The zone includes itself the areas of tourist camps and herders’ seasonal campsites (winter, spring, summer, and autumn) and
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations movements, and the areas along Khatgal-Khankh dirt auto track. There are two corridors included in the zone: a) a narrow corridor started from near upper area of Ikh Khoroo River going through Sayan special zone in the west. This corridor is two seasonal movement routes (over Jarai and Utrag mountain passes) of herders of bagh#3 of Renchinlhumbe soum of Khuvsgul imag. B) an area along a maintained gravel road between Khatgal-Khankh soum centre (from the Nuur Davaa to Tsagaan Salaa Davaa) and 20 m wide area in the east of the gravel road, which goes through the special zone as a corridor. The zone also includes the area in the east of Uran Dush-Ulzii Khash Mountain special zone boundary; the area in the south of Sayan special zone boundary; the area in the east of Kheven Zaluu Uur-Uilgan special zone boundary; and the areas from the south-west and south, and south east of the NP’s boundaries to the Lake Khusgul.
171. Boundaries of the limited use zone: boundaries of the limited use zone overlap with external boundaries of the NP and boundaries of the special and travel and tourism zones.
Table 12.Coordinate of the zoning
# Area name Point # X Coordinate Y Coordinate
1. Uran Dush- Ulzii Khash special zone
1 Boundary of Khuvsgul Lake NP 990 56’ 47.59” 510 39’ 26.254” 2 2293.6 3 1000 03’ 53.559” 510 38’ 27.158” Opposite the delta of Ikh Khoroo 4 and Abshaan Rivers 100°18’45.777” 51°38’58.040” Boundary of Renchinlhumbe & 5 Khankh soums 100°23’26.831” 51°38’42.258” Khuush Mountain’s eastern 6 branch 2161.0 7 2077.0 Shavlag Mountain’s eastern 8 section 2102.8 9 Tokhmog River 100°19’56.259” 51°31’21.798” 10 Shurgaag River 100°18’13.241” 51°29’30.379” 11 2094.2 12 Khot River 100°15’31.528” 51°23’46.338” Temeen Khuzuu Mountain’s 13 eastern edge 1767.0 14 1682.0 15 Ulzii-Khash Range’s eastern edge 100°14’28.552” 51°18’6.640” 16 2611.0 17 Jijig Lake’s eastern shore 100°14’15.165” 51°16’54.453” 18 Uliin River 100°16’38.627” 51°12’18.966” Duberleg River, Renchinlhumbe 100°17’36.021” 51°09’50.101” 19 soum territory 20 Ulaan Taiga Range’s eastern edge 2105.9
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21 Uvur Khachim River 100°17’05.798” 51°06’57.487” 22 Altitude / highland 2234.5 23 Duberleg Mountain 2470.4 24 2260.4 25 Jigleg River 100°16’12.748” 51°00’36.744” 26 2059.0 27 1668.8 Boundary of Renchinlhumbe & 28 Alag-Erdene soums 100°13’31.330” 51°48’07.953” Upper area of Khundlun natural 29 spring 100°13’35.121” 51°46’02.384” 30 Khas Sair 100°12’29.186” 50°44’11.861” 31 Ongolog River 100°10’01.232” 50°42’.25.837” 32 Khirvist River 100°09’53.769” 50°41’26.409” Khirvist Mountain’s eastern 33 section 2007.0 34 Uriankhai Mountain’s north 1946.0 Uriankhai Mountain at the NP 35 boundary 2094.2 1 Boundary of Khuvsgul NP 990 56’ 47.59” 510 39’ 26.254”
2. Sayan special zone
State border between Mongolia 1 and Russia 2972.4 99° 59' 28.909» 51° 44' 51.472» State border between Mongolia 2 and Russia 1000 51’ 40.073” 510 36’ 4.89” 3 1816.5 1000 46’ 1.66” 510 36’ 12.188” 4 Inspection & control point 100° 48' 20,99» 51° 35' 6,627» 5 1939.0 Bayasgalan Davaa (mountain 6 pass) 2056 100° 40' 32.834» 51° 38' 26.437» 7 Bayan River 100° 38' 23.949» 51° 39' 36.945» 8 Jargalant River 100° 33' 23.807» 51° 40' 16.822» 9 1885.0 100° 31' 39.283» 51° 40' 14.663» 10 2022.0 100° 29' 11.962» 51° 40' 13.520» 11 Jijig (Small) Lake’s shore 100° 26' 52.800» 51° 40' 51.242» 12 Dood (Lower) Abshaan River 100° 25' 4.217» 51° 40' 47.539» 13 2039.0 100° 23' 38.121» 51° 40' 40.208» 14 Abshaan River 100° 22' 44.092» 51° 40' 29.228» 15 Teekhishig River 100° 20' 14.666» 51° 39' 59.450» 16 Khar Chiireg River 100° 18' 30.923» 51° 39' 40.774» Delta of Nariin Khoroo and 17 Khendel River 2008.0 100° 12' 27.897» 51° 40' 46.597» 18 Khoshuu 100° 14' 14.303» 51° 39' 30.363» 19 Saridag Siireg River 100° 7' 28,851» 51° 39' 3,739» Ikh Khoroo River’s Northern 20 Floodplain 2054.0 100° 4' 15.361» 51° 38' 56.038» 21 100° 0' 3.747» 51° 41' 25.613» 22 Ikh (Great) Khoroo River 990 59’ 30.029” 510 41’ 19.397” 23 2091.0 24 Ikh (Great) Khoroo River’s valley 1000 3’ 5.706” 510 38’ 57.985” 25 1000 3’ 25.428” 510 38’ 42.357”
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26 Davaany River 3088.0 27 Boundary of the NP 990 56’ 30.047” 510 39’ 41.002” Boundary of the NP or Tsul’s 28 Northern Mountain 2872.0 29 3044.0 30 2975.0 31 Ukhaa Nuruu (Range) 3107.3 99° 57' 2.379» 51° 44' 30.158» 32 State border between Mongolia 1 and Russia 2972.4 99° 59' 28.909» 51° 44' 51.472»
3. Kheven –Zaluu Uur-Uilgan special zone
State border between Mongolia 1 and Russia 100 0 51’ 40.073”, 510 36’ 4.89” 2 Khas Ekh Undur 2636.4 102° 9' 5.132» 51° 3' 25.069» 4 Davaa (mountain pass) 1943.0 100° 59' 14.864» 50° 49' 22.802» 5 1906.1 100° 56' 12.243» 50° 49' 43.565» Eastern section of Kheven River’s 6 valley 1010 29’ 06.735” 5104’09.754” 7 Kheven River bank 1968.6 8 Ganshuul Davaa (mountain pass) 2147.0 9 Alag Davaa (mountain pass) 2192.5 Khoid Baga Tag Davaa (Northern 10 Small Tag mountain pass) 2192.5 Delta of Zurkhiin Baruun & Ikh 11 Khuremt Rivers 2198.0 Ikh Tag Davaa (Great Tag 12 mountain pass) 2202.0 13 Davaa (mountain pass) 2053.0 14 Jilge River 100 0 55’ 39.945”, 510 20’ 7.276” 15 Bayan Ulaan Ovoo Mountain 1970.2 16 Turuu Ereen Tag Mountain 2316.1 17 Toin Jinst Mountain 2351.4 18 2302.0 19 Undur Mountain 2097.8) State border between Mongolia 1 and Russia 100 0 51’ 40.073”, 510 36’ 4.89” 4. Sant special zone Southern edge of Turuu River 1 100 0 55’ 39.158” 51019’53.653’’ valley Khoid Baga Tag Davaa (Northern 2 2192.5 Small Tag mountain pass) 3 Jilge River 1000 58’47.091” 51019’35.921” 4 2053.0 Ikh Tag Davaa (Great Tag 5 2202.0 mountain pass) 6 Zurkh Baruun River 1010 9’38.274” 51016’58.644” 7 Davaa (mountain pass) 2192.5 8 Ganshuul Davaa (mountain pass) 1147.0 9 1010 21’8.113’’ 51016’29.074’’ 10 Boundary of the NP 1010 28’54.835’’ 51004’1.235’’
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11 Davaa (mountain pass) 1785.0 12 Urkh Nuruu (Urkh Range) 1887.0 Ikh Khelen Davaa (Great Khilen 13 1753.0 mountain pass) 14 Nuur Davaa (mountain pass) 1732.0 15 Khuvsgul Lake’s shore 1000 31’2.611’’ 50045’25.683’’ 16 Lower area of Noyon River 1000 45’8.405’’ 51012’42.465’’ 17 Valley of Noyon River 1000 50’20.639’’ 51011’23.737’’ 18 1000 48’41.553’’ 51012’17.634’’ 19 Valley of Noyon River 1869.0 20 2030.8 21 Shognuul River 1979.5 22 Jilge River 1999.3 Southern edge of Turuu River’s 1 100 0 55’ 39.158’’ 51019’53.653’’ valley
5. Doloon Mountains special zone
1 Lower area of Berkh River 100° 22’ 13.066” 51° 25’ 32.228” 2 1645.2 3 100°16’38.38” 51°21’ 34.383” 4 Khot Buleg Lake’s Ar 100°17’ 35.166” 51°21’ 57.595” 5 Khot Buleg Lake’s Ar 100°18’12.625” 51°21’ 58.413” Western foothill of Doloon 6 Mountain 100°18’53.987” 51°21’ 34.927” Northern foothill of Doloon 7 Mountain 100°21’ 5.589” 51°22’ 56.068” 8 100°21’6.548” 51°23’ 28.618” 9 100°20’18.067” 51°23’ 55.659” 10 100°19’19.216” 51°24’ 0.668” 1 Lower area of Berkh River 100° 22’ 13.066” 51° 25’ 32.228”
6. Khaich special zone
1 Mergen Ar River 100° 13' 9.907» 50° 28' 38.937» Sagsag Davaa (Sagsag mountain 2 pass) 1863.0 100° 15' 55.029» 50° 27' 56.781» 3 1807.3 100° 19' 22.760» 50° 27' 58.171» 4 Dorgot Am 100° 21' 26.176» 50° 28' 14.164» Dorgot Davaa (Dorgot mountain 5 pass) 100° 22' 23.307» 50° 28' 32.344» 6 Darkhin Hill 7 Khar Khad forest edge 8 Sant Middle Hill 9 Balchirgant Am 100° 15' 5.684» 50° 31' 28.996» Balchirgant Davaa (mountain 10 pass) 100° 13' 50.210» 50° 31' 20.076» 11 Nariin Uvur 1757 100° 13' 6.000» 50° 30' 33.342» 1 Mergen Ar River 100° 13' 9.907» 50° 28' 38.937»
7. Khankh’s Olon Lake’s special zone
1 Point 1 100° 43' 35.312» 51° 27' 29.828»
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2 100° 42' 33.925» 51° 27' 53.095» 3 Khankh River’s bridge 100° 42' 43.268» 51° 28' 8.366» 4 100° 43' 27.225» 51° 28' 2.515» 5 100° 44' 46.094» 51° 27' 40.707» 6 100° 45' 55.580» 51° 27' 1.344» Lower area of Tsgaaan Khujirt 7 River 100° 45' 45.814» 51° 26' 50.812» 1 Point 1 100° 43' 35.312» 51° 27' 29.828»
8. Khuvsgul Lake’s islands special zone
1 Modon Khui 1817.9 100° 30' 08.11» 50° 58' 35.» 2 Khadan Khui 100° 24' 14.58» 50° 44' 39.544» 3 Khui Tolgoi (Hill) 100° 11' 12.812» 50° 28' 02.901»
Travel and tourism zone of Khuvsgul NP:
1. Khuvsgul Lake section
Area name Point # X Coordinate Y Coordinate # 1 Lower area of Ikh Khoroo River 100°30’41.485” 51°33’44.649” Boundary of Khankh soum’s center 100°37’35.130” 51°31’20.617” 2 land 3 Lower area of Khankh River 100°43’30.00” 51°27’30.019” 100°45’53.677” 51°26’44.346” 4 Lower area of Noyon River 1000 45’8.405’’ 51012’42.465’’ 0 0 5 100 31’2.611’’ 50 45’25.683’’ Northeastern edge of 1000 20’14.685’’ 50032’09.648’’ 6 Khaich special zone 7 1000 15’17.064’’ 50031’44.783’’ 8 Opposite of Khuzuuvch Ar campsite 100°09’45.136” 50°28’56.389” 9 Doloon Mountain 1645.2 10 Lower area of Berkh River 100022’16.28’’, 51025’31.465’’ Boundary of travel and tourism zone 100°28’07.338”, 51°31’57.752” 11 of Khoroo Olon Lake 12
2. Ikh Khoroo section
1 Khuvsgul Lake’s shore 100°28’07.338” 51°31’57.752” 2 Eastern Hill of Olon Lakes 100°27’17.184” 51°32’31.171” 3 Western edge of Small Lake 100°26’41.215” 51°33’21.143” 4 Western shore of Small Lake 100°26’29.884” 51°33’59.103” 5 North of the Lake 100°27’09.485” 51°34’30.586” 6 100°27’35.202” 51°34’17.766” 7 100°28’08.063” 51°33’07.309” 8 North of Small Lake 100°29’16.468” 51°32’39.884” 9 100°29’15.961” 51°32’41.192”
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10 Lower area of Ikh Khoroo 100°29’45.04” 51°33’04.668” Western bank of Ikh Khoroo 100°29’40.564” 51°33’29.085” 11 River 12 100°30’30.679” 51°33’43.692” 13 100°30’41.485” 51°33’44.649” 1 Khuvsgul Lake’s shore 100°28’07.338” 51°31’57.752” 3. Shar Lake section 1 Boundary of Sayan special zone 100°27’20.853” 51°40’40.539” 2 Boundary of Sayan special zone 100°30’06.35” 51°40’11.88” 3 100°30’17.195” 51°39’59.137” 4 100°30’02.307” 51°39’40.744” 5 Bayan-Ovoo Mountain 2298.5 6 Southern shore of Shar Lake 100°27’45.597” 51°39’24.215” 7 100°27’24.971” 51°39’32.365” 8 100°27’19.499” 51°39’43.122” 1 Boundary of Sayan special zone 100°27’20.853” 51°40’40.539” 4. Sagnag-Shuvtargyn Uzuur section 1 Khuvsgul Lake’s shore 1000 31’2.611’’ 50045’25.683’’ Nuur Davaa (Lake’s mountain 1732.0 2 pass) Ikh Khelen Davaa (Great Khelen 1753.0 3 mountain pass) Eastern foothill of Sagnag Ovoo 1000 30’39.05’’ 50039’0.2’’ 4 Mountain 5 1000 30’33.858’’ 50038’15.893’’ 6 1794.9 Southern foothill of Sagnag Ovoo 1000 26’58.968’’ 50040’20.529’’ 7 Mountain 8 1000 26’06.06’’ 50039’25.331’’ 9 1000 26’33.578’’ 50039’14.245’’
Tourism corridor: 1. Jigleg davaa
Uran dush-Eastern part of the 100° 16’ 13.069” 51° 0’ 43.085” 1 Ulzi Hash Special Zone Uran dush-Western part of the 100° 09’ 42.866” 51° 01’ 17.298” 2 Ulzi Hash Specila Zone 2. Chuchuu
Uran dush- Eastern part of the 100° 12’ 48.639” 50° 45’ 02.02” Ulzi Hash Special Zone Peak of Chuchuu 100° 11’ 59.118” 50° 46’ 22.54” 3. Buren khaan
Boudary of the Sayan special 100° 37’ 17.611” 51° 39’ 44.515” zone 2248.0 Peak of the Buren khaan 3491.0 100° 35’ 49.803” 51° 43’ 5.114” 4. Ganshuul-Keven River
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Kheven- Zaluu-Uur-Uilagan 100°55’59.849” 51°20’6.680” special zone-Turuu river Jilge river 100°59’02.137” 51°19’35.499” даваа 2053.0 Ikh tag davaa 2202.0 Alagiin dava 2192.5 Ganshuuliin davaa 2147.0 Kheven river 1568.6 Along Kheven river-KLNP 101° 29 0.277 51° 04 05.23 boundaries 5. Uur River
Khugshir Uurin KLNP 101° 35 29.01 51° 07 35.213 boundaries-Yalar belchir 101°33’44.645” 51°09’54.270” Border patrol-Watch man house 101°38’06.386” 51°07’30.775” 6. Uliin davaa Khusht-Ul River(Pass of Ul) Uran dush-Peak of the Nutsgen Ul pass in Ulziin Khash Special 2281.0 zone Ul pass 2116.0 End of the Ul river 1645.2 7. Sant(Tsagaan Kholboo lake) White mouintain 2367.5 Sant pass 2057.0 Khets uvur on the eastern shore of 1663.0 Lake Khuvsgul
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CHAPTER FIVE. CHANGES MADE BY THE PROPOSED RE-ZONING
172. Following the National Park expansion, the park’s internal zones were re-established in 2014. However, the park still needs re-zoning in connection with some priority concerns such as increasing tourism flows exceeding the current carrying capacity of the landscape, concentration of tour camps along the Lake, unregulated licensing for land, and water and soil pollution in and along Khuvsgul Lake, the main sightseeing product and the largest freshwater resource. Upon consideration of the current activities and future tendency of KLNP, the environmentally friendly, scientifically based planned and phased approaches are inevitably needed to enhance sustainable use, restoration and conservation of natural resources within the park. Therefore, we have proposed the NP re-zoning considered the ongoing natural evolution and human factors and the scientific views to enhance conservation and sustainable use of the park resources and maintain and preserve the ecosystem balance. The proposal for KLNP re-zoning contains the special zone with eight sections (covering a total of 711,318.0 hectares); the travel and tourism zone with four sections and seven corridors (covering a total of 289,376.3 hectares) and one limited use zone (covering a total of 175000.7 hectares). According to the 2014 re-zoning, the special zone is a total of 677,240.8 hectares or 57.6 %, while the zone is a total of 711,318.0 hectares or 60.5% of the total park area according to this proposal. It means covering area of the special zone is increased by 2.9% and its conservation regime is upgraded within the park. See table 13.Changes within internal zones in the National Park and table 14. Total area of internal zones in 2014 and changes in 2018.
173. Re-zoning and its field studies have been completed under the project “Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Park” being implemented in the NP and the recommendations for re-zoning have been made based on the proposed changes in the current internal zones and available recreational resources within the park. In the recommendations, we have addressed at the policy options for development of environmentally friendly tourism and pastureland management within the park and improved awareness on the pastureland management among local herders to enhance effective pastureland co-management within the park.
174. The recommendations are subject to consideration and follow-up of the MoET and its DPAM in their further policy oriented actions to ensure compliance with the conservation regimes within the NP. In addition to, the recommendations encourage the tour operators in the park to collaborate for environmentally friendly tourism activities, increased benefites from tourism activities to local residents, and improved co-management of pastureland within the park. As a result of these efforts, the legal and regulatory framework for environmental conservation is complied with and more benefits are accessed by local communities. Ultimately, these efforts shall ensure favourable grounds for conservation and preservation of naturally beautiful Khuvsgul Lake, the larges freshwater lake in Mongolia and Central Asia, and its vicinity along with their valuable wildlife (fauna and flora) species in their natural states and maintaining ecological balance and sustainable development in the region.
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 91
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations 5.1. Changes in internal zones and the actions to be taken accordingly: The changes made in the proposed re-zoning are summarized as follows:
175. А.Within the special zone:
According to the 2014 re-zoning, the special zone is a total of 677,240.8 hectares or 57.6 percent, while the zone is a total of 711,318.0 hectares or 60.5% of the total park area according to this proposal. It means covering area of the special zone is increased by 2.9% and its conservation regime is upgraded within the park.
1. Changes in Sayan special zone and the limited use zone near Khoroo River
176. According to the 2014 re-zoning, there is one corridor of the limited use zone going through the special zone. Before, it was used by about 90 local herders of Bagh 3 of Renchinlhumbe soum for their seasonal movements. However, this area has been no longer used by the herders for now. Thus, the corridor is included in the special zone. Instead, Khanshaar’s two movement routes going over Utrag and Jarain Davaa (mountain passes) are designated as two narrow corridors within the limited use zone. Through these corridors, some herders of the bagh move to their winter and spring camps near Khoroo River in November and then move back in April of the next year.
177. Moreover, tourists taking on advanture tours around Khuvsgul Lake also take these corridors over the mountain passes. The two corridors in the limited use zone are narrow, so no negative environmental impacts from the seasonal movements of local people and the advanture tours are expected.
178. The area is included in Doloon Mountain special zone. As this area is included in the zone, it will be significant for conservation of the important bird area and wetland ecosystem. Some herders from bagh#1 of Khankh soum spend their summers and autumns in the vicinity of this area included in the special zone. Overall, its land surface is swampy and abundabt with high populations of flies and mosquitos. Impacts from livestock grazing are expected less because herds are not able to stay longer in such context. Therefore, the conservation regimes are not so often lost in the area.
2. Khotnii Olon Nuur (Khot’s Many Lakes) 179. Vicinites of Khotnii Olon Nuur are included in the limited use zone as per the internal zones set in 2014. There is a swampy area with some small lakes called as “Khotnii Nuuruud” (Khot’s Lakes) located in lower area of Khot River, started from the northern slope of Ulzii Khash Range. The area is one of important bird areas-breeding sites. Therefore, it is included in Doloon Mountain special zone. As this area is included in the zone, it will be significant for conservation of the important bird area and wetland ecosystem. Some herders from bagh#1 of Khankh soum spend their summers and autumns in the vicinity of this area included in the special zone. Overall, its land surface is swampy and abundabt with high populations of flies and mosquitos. Impacts from livestock grazing are expected less because
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 92
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations herds are not able to stay longer in such context. Therefore, the conservation regimes are not so often lost in the area.
Figure 18. Propozed changes in KLNP-Zoomed map of Khotnii olon nuur area as a limited use zone 3. Sant section
180. There are some rivers e.g. Noyon, Sevsuul, Tusgal, Anjist, Great and Small Dalbay, and Borsog on the eastern shore of Khuvsgul Lake. These rivers play an important role in preservation of the Lake’s water resource and regimes. Thus, forested areas in lower parts of valleys of the rivers are included in the special zone. Prior to 2014, these forested areas were in the special zone, but included in the limited use zone by the 2014 re-zoning. Authorities of Khankh soum initiated the proposal for including the forested areas in the limited use zone and had it discussed and approved by the soum CRKh. Since then, the areas have been largely resided by local herders and some tourist camps have been opened along the Lake. Therefore, the areas need to be re-designated in the special zone for protection. The soum’s authorities have also supported and agreed on this proposal. On other hand, these areas are used by the species such as the red deer, roe deer, and musk deer for movement, grazing, and access to water. As these areas are included in the special zone, it will be important for protection of habitat and range of the ungulates and other biological species including rare plants in the riparian zone, the permafrost, and the forest ecosystem in an integrated way. On other hand, it will prevent from appearance of tourist camps along the Lake in the future. To date, there is only one tourist camp operating in this zone.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
4. Khilen section (Urkh Range, Tsagaan Mountain)
181. According to the 2014 re-zoning, this area is in the travel and tourism zone. In the propsed re-zoning, the area between Khelen Davaa (mountain pass) and Tsagaan Mountain is included in Sant’s special zone, while Khelen Valley and Sagnag ovoo (a stokepile of stones) vicinity are included in the limited use zone. These areas are entirely covered by larch forest and support the middle mountains at 1800-2000 a.s.l. They are wildlife distribution ranges.
Figure 19. Propozed changes in KLNP-Zoomed map of Khilen section area as a limited use zone 5. Islands in Khuvsgul Lake
182. According to the 2014 re-zoning, three islands: Modon Khui, Khadan Khui, and Khui Tolgoi in Khuvsgul Lake lie in the limited use zone, while they are included in the special zone under this re-zoning proposal. Amongst, the biggest island is Modon Island, which is entirely covered forest. The wildlife such as the red deer and roe deer occur on this island in winters, when the lake is frozen. Lately, travelers, bicyclists and motorists have become to camp on this island in winters. Human appearance on the island can push away wildife, deteriorate vegetation cover, pollute soil, and cause other negative impacts on the island ecosystem. That’s why the islands are included in the special zone. Khadan island is one of nesting grounds for birds.
6. State border’s strip zone (Khankh soum)
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 94
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations 183. The Law of Mongolia on Border: Article 26 says: “a strip area up to 15 km from the state border line is designated as the state border’s strip zone with special regulations to enforce the state border regimes, protection, and inspection related actions and construction of the border’s engineering and technical facilities”. No any economic activity and utilizaiton is allowed within this strip zone, thus the strip zone along the state border is included in the special zone.
184. B.Within the travel and tourism zone:
According to the 2014 re-zoning, this zone covers a total of 312,215.6 hectares (26.6% of the NP’s total area). Under this proposeal, the zone covers a total of 289,283.2 hectares.
1. Areas up to 100 m from Khusgul Lake’s shores
185. Once water pollution is threatened to Khuvsgul Lake, a core of the KLNP, a priority is to be given to protect and prevent the Lake’s water and soils nearby from pollution. According to the 2014 re-zoning, the riparian zone or narrow strip areas (up to 100 m from its shore) around Khuvsgul Lake lie in the limited use zone, but these areas are included in the travel and tourism zone in this proposal. We consider this proposal as a major change made in this re-zoning within the park. The following justifications are considered for this change: According to the Law of Mongolia on Water, a strip area up to 100 m from a lake’s shore around the lake is included in the travel and tourism zone to protect the lake’s water and riparian zone soil. This is the optimal solution for protection of lake water and soils in riparian zones. The riparian zone of Khuvsgul Lake is specific and distinct with its surface formation, biological species, soil, and vegetation from those in adjacent areas. The zone supports the valuable water environment such as floodplains, small lakes, ponds, streams, natural springs, small runs-off, and swamp those are distributed by rare and threatened plant species. To protect and preserve the Lake’s riparian ecosystem is one of the primary objectives of the NP. According to the monitoring test results, the Lake’s water and soil pollution rates are much higher in the areas, where tourist/ger camps are concentrated; in the lower areas of tributaries/inflowing rivers, where human populations and herds are concentrated in summers; and in the areas along Khankh soum and Khatgal village centres. There are evidences on negative impacts the Lake’s water and soils nearby already available. Lately, numbers of domestic tourists to the NP have increased rapidly. They often stay in their tents along the Lake, leave their garbage, and release wastes in open areas. In these unregulated conditions, soils are polluted and the waste materials are transferred in to the Lake and groundwater. Valleys of inflowing rivers are resided by local herders with large herds. As numbers of herder families and their herdes are growing, the concerns such as over-stocking, overgrazing, soil disturbance, and sand movement are increased and likely to be intensified in the future.
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There are 494 ordinary pit toilet facilities located around Khuvsgul Lake. Out of them, 117 pits are within 100 m from the Lake’s shores. Moreover, there are some other pit toilets in winter and spring campsites on banks of the inflowing rivers. For example, there are over 80 pit toilets in floodplain and valley of Khoroo River. There are high risks: the pits are covered by the water formed over melting ice in winters and waste materisals are transferred into the lake and groundwater in springs.
186. Pollution rates are high in soils and water of Khuvsgul Lake’s riparian zone where tourist camps and local herders with large herds are concentrated. Furtheremore, water pollution is also high in the inflowing rivers, whose valleys are resided by local herders with large herds in summers (Water Quality Monitoring Programme Report, 2017). Lately numbers of travellers coming to Khuvsgul Lake have rapidly increased since the paved road between Ulaanbaatar-Murun-Khatgal was put in use. Capacities of the tour camps became short and the travellers stayed in their tents on the Lake’s shore. They left their garbage and wastes on open areas. Consequently, soil pollution emerged along the Lake and waste materials were transferred into the Lake. Results of the water quality monitoring carried out under the project “Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Project” show increasing water pollution rates in the areas, where human and livestock herds are concentrated. The shores of Khuvsgul Lake are overloaded by travellers and local herders with large herds in summers. Main sources of water and soil pollution in the riparian zone are livestock herds, human residence (Khankh soum centre and Khatgal village), tour and ger camps and their ordinary pit toilet facilities (pit latrines) close to the Lake’s shore. For instance, the monitoring test results show high levels of the E.coli (colon bacillus) detected along the Lake’s shores, where human population, namely herder families with herds are concentrated. The ammonium is high in human and livestock wastes. According to the test results, the highest concentration of ammonium was recorded as 4.15 mg/100g in superficial part of the soil in the vicinity of Khuvsgul Lake, which is doubled than the allowable amount or assessed as moderate. Moreover, researchers identified water quality was changed in some rivers inflowing into Khuvsgul Lake. If water of the inflowing rivers is prevented from pollution, the lake ecosystem will be negatively impact.
187. The riparian zone of Khuvsgul Lake is specific and distinct with its surface formation, biological species, soil, and vegetation from those in adjacent areas. The zone supports the valuable water environment such as floodplains, small lakes, ponds, streams, natural springs, small runs-off, and swamp those form cyclic mediums of energy, nitrogen, phosphore, magnesium, and potassium. These mediums, in turn, provide plants and water with minerals. The riparian zone protects permafrost within Khuvsgul Lake vicinities, while its vegetation cover protects the lake’s water and provides the wildlife with niche and habitat. The riparian zone of Khuvsgul Lake are distributed by the rare plants such as Gymnodenia conopsea, Orhcis salina, Goeloglossum viride, Herminium monorchis, Epipogon aphyllum, Polygonium viviparum, Polygonium alopecuroides, Valeraina officinalis, Saxifragg hirculus, Equisetum variegatum, Gentiana barbata, Gentiaba pulminoria, and Minuartia stricta.
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 96
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations 188. As areas up to 100 m from lake shores are included in the travel and tourism zone, the valuable riparian ecosystem will be protected. On other hand, it will be important for prevention and mitigation of lake water and soil pollution in the riparian zone and elimination of the unregulated land licensing along the Lake.
2. Shar Lake section
189. According to the 2014 re-zoning, this section is in the limited use zone of the NP, but it is included in the travel and tourism zone in this proposal. Shar Lake is a small lake of glacier origin and located in a narrow valley between the first Abshaan Mountain (3284.7) of Munkhsaridag Mountain Range, stretched from the west to the east, and the Bayan Ovoo Mountain (2298.5) in the north of Khoroo River. The lake, stretched along the valley, is 2.5 km long and 0.6 km wide and 0.1 km in its narrowest part. Shar Lake is abundant by lenok so it is ideal for sports-fishing. On other hand, its surrounding areas are scenic and true Alip sharp peaks of Munkhsaridag Mountain Range are quite nearly seen. Based on these advantages, eco-tourism activities including nature, wildlife (fauna, flora, bird) watching and photographing, landscape painting are ideal. These types of tourism activities help local communities generate additional incomes through sales of the products such as souviners, dairy products.
3. Sagnag-Shuvtargyn Uzuur section
190. According to the 2014 re-zoning, area in the west of Sagnag Ovoo lies in the travel and tourism zone, while it is expanded until Khatgal-Khankh dirt track in the east in the same zone. In this travel and tourism zone, a license for land was issued to a business entity, which is illegal according to the Law on SPAs. Shuvtargyn Uzuur stretched into the Lake is included in the travel and tourism zone as “areas up to 100 m from the Lake’s shore”.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Figure 20. Propozed changes in KLNP- Zoomed map of Sagnag shuvtargiin uzuur area as a tourism corridor 4. Tourism corridors going through the special zone
191. According to this re-zoning proposal, there are tourism corridors added for climbing to Chuchuu Mountan top in Uran Dush-Ulzii section, travellers’ route from Renchinlhumbe soum center going through Khust Uliin davaa-Ul River, travellers’ route from Chandmani- Undur soum passing through Sant special zone and Burenkhaan Mountain top in Sayan’s special zone. Chuchuu Mountain is a high mountain with flat top, where a scenic nature of Khuvsgul Lake is clearly seen. Foreign and domestic tourists/ mountain climbers like to climb to Burenkhaan Mountain peak. In some seasons, climbers are required to obtain permits from the relevant authority. Therefore, the protection regimes of the special zone are not violated as the tourism corridors are set on these mountains.
Table 13.Changes within internal zones in the National Park
Internal zone Changes in internal zones Reason, importance, & benefit # 2014 2018 А.Within the special zone Included in Sayan Khanshaar travel Before, it was a travel route for herders of special zone. route going over Bagh 3 of Renchinlhumbe soum to and Utrag and Jarai from their winter settlements. However, it mountain passes is has been no longer used by them for now. 1 Sayan section excluded from the It is also used by adventure tourists. As the special zone and movement route is included in the limited included in the use zone, the special zone regimes are not limited use zone (two infringed.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
narrow corridors) Corridor of the limited Has been included in No movement has been undertaken due to use zone: near upper the special zone. uneven or bumpy ground. area of Khoroo River Included in the limited Has been included in As it is included in the special zone, it will 2 Khot Olon Lakes use zone. Doloon Mountain’s be significant for conservation of the special zone. important bird area-wetland ecosystem. Sant section: Included in the limited Has been included in Habitats and distribution ranges of the (Near lower areas of use zone. the special zone. ungulates, the riparian zone biodiversity 3 Noyon, Sevsuul, including rare/endangered species, Tusgal, Anjist, Ikh and permafrost, and forest resource ecosystem Baga Dalbay, Borsogo shall be entirely protected; moreover, it Rivers along the will be helpful in halting the land license eastern shore of along the Lake. Khuvsgul Lake) Khelen section ( Urkh Included in the travel Has been included in Forest landscape, wildlife habitat and 4 Range; Tsagaan and tourism zone. the special zone. distribution ranges shall be protected and Mountain) preserved; Three islands in Included in the limited Has been included in Lately, Modon Khui island has become a Khuvsgul Lake use zone. the special zone. key campsite of bikers, motorbike riders, 5 & vehicle drivers esp. in winters. This human appearance on the island is likely to cause negative impacts on the island ecosystem disturbing the wild species occurring on the island in winters and degrading its vegetation cover, and polluting its soil. Thus, these actions should be halted and prevented. The state border strip Included in the limited Has been included in The Law of Mongolia on Border: Article zone (Khankh soum) use zone. the special zone. 26 says: “a strip area up to 15 km from the state border line is designated as the state 6 border’s strip zone with special regulations to enforce the state border regimes, protection, and inspection related actions and construction of the border’s engineering and technical facilities”. No any economic activity and utilization is allowed within this strip zone, thus the strip zone along the state border is included in the special zone”. Total area 677240.8 he-57.6% 711318.0 he-60.5% Section 7 section 8 section B. Within the travel and tourism zone 1 The riparian zone Included in the limited A strip area at 100 m -To ensure enforcement of the Law on designated at 100 m use zone. from Khuvsgul Water and eliminate pollution sources of from Khuvsgul Lake’s Lake’s shoreline the lake’s water and soil in the riparian shore around; around is included in zone; the travel & tourism -To protect and preserve the riparian zone. ecosystem, valuable for protection and preservation of the Lake; -To decentralize concentration of tourist camps along the Lake and prevent from uncontrolled land licensing along the Lake; 2 Shar Lake section Included in the limited Has been included in -To protect & preserve the ecosystem of use zone. the travel and tourism the Lake of ancient glacier origin; zone. -Develop tourism activities (e.g. sports fishing, photographing, landscape watching, etc.); -To increase benefits of locals from tourism activities; 3 Sagnag-Shuvtargyn Areas in the west of Has been included in -Size of the travel and tourism zone has
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Uzuur section Sagnag Ovoo were the travel and tourism been expanded; included in the travel zone. -Middle mountain Sagnag and its forest and tourism zone, while resource and Shuvtarga Uzuur bay areas in the east of stretched into the Lake will be protected Shuvtargyn Uzuur and and no land is licensed therein; the Ovoo were included in the limited use zone. 4 Chuchuu, Burenkhaan Corridor on Chuchuu Have been included Additional travel routes: tourism corridors Mountain was in Ulzii- as narrow strips or Climbing to Burenkhaan top, the peak of Khash special zone; corridors in the travel Munkhsaridag, and climbing to Chuchuu while corridor of and tourism zone; Mountain top for viewing Khuvsgul Lake Burenkhaan was in and its vicinity. They will not infringe the Sayan special zone. special zone regimes. Total area 312215.2 he-26.6% 289376.3 he-24.6% Section 2 section, 4 corridor 2 section, 7 corridor C.Within limited use zone Total area 186145.6 he-15.8% 175000.7he-14.9% Section 1 section 1 section
Table 14. Total area of internal zones in 2014 and proposed area of internal zones in 2018
Areas № Sections of internal zones ha % Uran Dush-Ulzii Khash -2014 O-1 112140.6 9.53 Urandush-Ulzii Khash-2018 O-2 108931.6 9.26 Sayan -2014 O-2 46179.5 3.92 Sayan-2018 O-1 62123.4 5.28 Kheven-Zaluu Uur- Uilgan-2014 O-3 485168.0 41.25 Kheven-Zaluu Uur- Uilgan-2018 O-3 276559.9 23.51 Doloon Mountains-2014 O-4 9238.7 0.78 Doloon Mountains-2018 O-4 9774.1 0.82 1 Khankh Olon Lakes -2014 O-5 271.6 0.02 Khankh Olon Lakes -2018 O-5 274.0 0.01 Special zone Sant-2014 O-6 16396.6 1.39 Sant-2018 O-6 245265.6 20.86 Khaich-2014 O-7 7845.9 0.66 Khaich-2018 O-7 7853.2 0.66 Islands-2018 O-8 536.3 0.05 Total area, hа (%) in 2014 677240.8 (57.6%) Total area, hа (%) in 2018 711318.0 (60.5%) Khuvsgul Lake –Ikh Khoroo Olon Lakes-2014 A-1 291293.6 24.78 Khuvsgul Lake –-2018 A-1 278554.5 23.76 Tsagaam Mountain –Urh-2014 2 A-2 16944.6 1.44 Ikh Khoroo Olon lakes-2018 A-2 797.9 0.06 Shar nuur-2018 A-3 493.1 0.04 Traveland tourism zone Sagnag-Shuvtargiin Uzuur-2018 A-4 5544.8 0.46
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Chochuu Mointain-2018 A.k-1 10.4 0.00 Jigleg-2014 A.k-1 264.0 0.02 Jigleg-2018 A.k-2 321.0 0.02 Munkh Saridag-2014 A.k-2 167.2 0.01 Burenkhaan Mointain-2018 A.k-3 15.2 0.001 Khust Uliin davaa(Pass of Ul)- 2019 A.k-4 26.8 0.00 Sant(Tsagaan Kholboo lake)-
Corridor 2019 A.k-5 66.3 0.005 Ganshuul-Kheven River-2014 A.k-3 2112.8 0.18 Ganshuul-Kheven River-2018 A.k-6 2112.8 0.18 Uur River-2014 A.k-4 1433.5 0.12 Uur River-2018 A.k-7 1433.5 0.12 Total area, hа (%) in 2014 312215.2 (26.6%) Total area, hа (%) in 2018 289376.3 (24.6%) Limited use zone 3 Total area, hа (%) in 2014 186145.6 (15.83%) Total area, hа (%) in 2018 175000.7 (14.9%) Total-2014 1175602.2 100.00
Total-2018 1175602.2 100.00
CHAPTER SIX. RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO THE PROPOSED RE- ZONING OF KLNP
One. Recommendations on tourism activities 192. Khuvsgul Lake National Park (KLNP) is a major eco-tourism destination in the country. In recent years, numbers of travellers and visitors to this park are largely increased. Increasing numbers of tourists and vacationers to the park are good on one hand, but unregulated or uncontrolled tourism activities would result in unsustainable use of the park and environmental degradation within the park on other hand. To prevent from such potential risks, it is necessary to assess carrying capacities of the travel and tourism destinations and resources of the park. 193. To develop environmentally friendly tourism in the park without impairing the NP’s conservation goal, it is necessary to assess carrying capacities of the park against the primary natural features such as relief, soil, plant, and landscape and assess tourism resources of the park against the geographical features including climate, specific land formation, and aestetic, historical, and treatment significance as well as business operators within the park. These assessments will provide a basis of tourism development within the park. In a nutshell, environmentally friendly and sustainable tourism shall be successfully developed in the park when environmental impacts of the tourism activities and other human induced activities are within natural regeneration capacities of the environment.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations 194. Tourism activities are seasonally run in the park. Thus, these activities should be run with proper management, where wildlife is not disturbed and travellers are able to watch rare wildlife including birds and plants, in turn within the areas. On other hand, tourism capacities of the park are assessed to prevent and mitigate negative environmental impacts. Tourism capacities refer to the levels, where travellers are allowed to cause the minimum environmental impacts, but enjoy the maximum satisfactions from their trips to the park. Tourism capacities of a region or area are assessed with satisfactions of travellers and tourists, while tourism capacities of a park are identified by physical capacities of tourist camps and natural, historical, and cultural resources, as well as infrastructure development within the park. Therefore, for the NP re-zoning, we have considered the current contexts including water and soil pollution in the riperan zone of Khuvsgul Lake, concentration of tourist camps along the lake, and their potential impacts on the ecosystem from the scientific views of point. The revised Law of Mongolia on Water (2012): Chapter 3: clauses 22.2 and 22.3 states: “to designate a special protection zone within up to 50 m; a hygienic zone up to 100 m; and an ordinary protection zone up to 200 m from shore or bank of water environment”. In accordance with the law, we proposed to designate areas within 100 m around Khuvsgul Lake in the travel and tourism zone. It is the compliance of the law on one hand, but it is primarly to reduce and eliminate licensing the land along the Lake for tour camps to prevent from water and soil pollution in the riparian zone on other hand. The riparian zone includes other small lakes: Khachim, Maraa, Khelteg, Khorkhot, Uvur, Khilt, Ar Khilt, Ongolog, Khirvesteg, and Toilogt, which are connected to Khuvsgul Lake, and their vicinities including bays and semi-islands. Overall, the riparian zone of Khuvsgul Lake is distinct with its surface formation, biological species, soil, and vegetation from those in adjacent areas. The zone supports the valuable water environment such as floodplains, small lakes, ponds, streams, natural springs, small runs-off, and swamp those are distributed by rare and threatened plant species. The zone supports the valuable water environment such as floodplains, small lakes, ponds, streams, natural springs, small runs-off, and swamp those form cyclic mediums of energy, nitrogen, phosphore, magnesium, and potassium. These mediums, in turn, provide plants and water with minerals. The riparian zone protects permafrost within Khuvsgul Lake vicinities, while its vegetation cover protects the lake’s water and provides the wildlife with niche and habitat. Researchers identified changes in bay and semi-island ecosystem lead to changes in vegetation covers and emergence of soil erosion in the riparian zone of the Lake. These changes would cause some concerns e.g. drying up swampy areas, small rivers and streams nearby, permafrost melting, and lowering water table of the Lake. Generally, environmental inbalance is resulted from when a change emerges in one of the environmental components, which are interrelated. Thus, a change in one component would lead to a basis for disturbance and loss of the living environment: wildlife (water birds) and their habitats. Researchers recorded high pollution rates in soils and water of Khuvsgul Lake’s riparian zone, where tourist camps and local herders with large herds are concentrated. Furtheremore, water pollution is also high in the inflowing rivers, whose valleys are resided by local herders with large herds in summers (Water Quality Monitoring Programme Report, 2017). If water of Khuvsgul Lake is polluted, its natural water purification takes within 500 years, according to the researchers. Therefore, a priority is given to the Lake’s water conservation.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations 195. To date, there are 53 tourist camps operational within 151.41 hectares in the park. Out of them, 31 camps lie within 100 m from the Lake’s shore and 20 herders’ winter and spring campsites are located in this zone. Currently, tourist camps are concentrated in some areas, namely, Khuzuuvchiin Shil, Jankhai, Upper Modot Bulan, Toilogt, Khirvesteg, and Ongolog on the western shore and Khaichiin Am, Mergen, and Alagtsart tour camps on the eastrn shore of the Lake. Therefore, risks to deteriorate the land and vegetation covers and water and soil in the riparian zone are threatened in these areas. In addition to the tourist camps, there are 32 ger camps run by local and non-local people. These ger camps mainly provide accommodations to domestic tourists and holiday makers coming to the park. However, their services and facilities are below the standards of eco-ger camps. Their non-standard conditions also contribute in deterioration of vegetation covers and soils of the areas around and the Lake’s water pollution. Upon consideration of the current context along the Lake, we proposed to take areas up to 100 m from the Lake shore under the travel and tourism zone to entirely protect the riparian zone. Accoring to the estimation of carrying capacities of the park against its specific landscape features including land surface and soil ad vegetation covers, the recreational resources, and distances between tourist camps, the park has a capacity of over 50 tourist camps. However, licensing issued has already exceeded the carrying capacity by 2.3 times (there are 117 tour operators including companies and individuals). Thus, some actions e.g. to issue no more licenses, to discentralize the tourist camps in some areas, and standard ger camps should be undertaken. In particular, these recommendations are forwarded to the 31 tourist camps, which are located within 100 m along the Lake shore. To ensure implementation of these recommendations in practice, the park administration should have and enforce site-specific standards, which include some requirements such as to treat sewage and household wastewater by 95-99 % and re-use treated grey water for toilet or watering bushes and trees; to take annual biotechnical measures for prevention from water and soil pollution, degradation of vegetation covers, and soil erosion in the riparian zone through their annual plans, and apply tax schemes set in accordance with assessments of the riparian landscape resource and carrying capacities and ecosystem values. In cases, the standards are not complied with, the actions such as termination of their activities and changing their locaitons should be taken. Similarly, standards of eco ger camp should be set and applied in practice.
196. Upon consideration of the current tourism context within KLNP including the pollution in water and soil in the riparian zone being caused by human activities, we are recommending the following actions. Follow-up actions of the recommendations should be taken phases. To carry out integrated conservation actions for preservation of the riparian zone of the Lake; Wildlife habitats in forest, taiga, and water environments are easily disturbed by unregulated and uncontrolled tourism activities. Thus, tourist camps should have their travel routes presented and approved by the park administration to ensure that their tourism activities and services are environmentally friendly and free of disturbance to the environment and wildlife within the park. Soil erosion, water pollution, and waste dischages into the environment are resulted from unregulated tourism activities. The requirements to treat sewage and household wastewater by up to 99 % should be given and met by 31
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations tourist camps located within 100 m from the Lake’s shore. In case of its failure, the actions e.g. to change their locations should be taken. Also, the land use payments to the local budget and employment opportunities to locals are should be monitored in timely manner. The standards for taking annual biotechnical measures with regard to prevention and protection from water and soil pollution, vegetation degradation, soil erosion in the riparian zone should be made available. If the standars are not complied with, the actions to move the operator out from the riparian zone or terminate their activities should be taken. Concentrations of tourist camps in certain areas along the Lake and unreglated treatments by domestic tourists within the park are likely to impair the carrying capacity of Khuvsgul Lake landscape and eventually ecological balance. A main cause of the concerns is that locations of tourist camps are restricted to few areas. Thus, it needs to have a strategy and improved management to deal with this concern. In this line, the carrying capacities and resources of the travel and tourism and limite use zones should be assessed in detail. No more licensing is issued, in particular in the travel and tourism zone along the Lake. There are no assessments on natural and cultural values of the park made and loss of the biodiversity, in particular, wildlife resources is likely to be increased. These disadvantages would discontinue tourist attractions. After the ecosystem values of the NP are appropriately assessed by a team of researchers and experts, the tax schemes should be applied to the tour operators in the valued ecosystem. The tax schemes should be introduced with a phased approach. Game fish resources in some areas e.g. Shar Lake and Elst Bulan in lower area of Khoroo River newly designated in the travel and tourism zone need to be assessed for potential development of sports-fishing. In these aeras, the points for wildlife (bird) and rare plant watching and photographing should be designated and appropriately maintained with basic facilities (e.g. Shar Lake, a top of Chuchuu Mountain). Additional camping grounds for domestic tourists and holiday makers should be designated and maintained, in close distances as much as possible (e.g. camping grounds may be designated in the areas, whose licensing (the land certificates) is pending or the land licensed, but no operations starte yet or the land, whose licensing was terminated) There are 28 pieces of the land licensed in 2016-2017, but no operations are run yet. These areas are not included in the travel and tourism zone. For ger camps, the actions to discentralize their concentration and comply with the standards to tourist camps should be taken. Ger camp operators should be provided with triainings on the current legal and regulatory environment and financial support sources. To date, benefits to local communities and budgets seem relatively low. Thus, tourism needs to be developed in site-specific, environmentally sound, and locally beneficial (for improved livelihoods and economic development)
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 104
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations manners based on the sustainable development concept and international and national best practices. To improve benefits to local communities from tourism activities, local stakeholders should cooperate with the project MОN-9183. Although the land of Khankh soum and Khatgal village is not included in the park, their land exists in the vulnerable riparian zone of the Lake. Thus, the proposal for designation of water conservation zone within 100 m from the lake shore (in accordance with the Law on Water) should be discussed and implemented in cooperation with the local governments. The park administration should have the basic patrolling devices amd tools including a boat to monitor and inspect the special zone of the islands in the Lake. It will be useful for enforcing conservation regimes in the zone in particular, in summers. 197. As the recommendations listed above are considered at the policy level and introduced in practice, they will be useful in remeding and eliminating the current concers such as water and soil pollution in the riparian zone of the Lake and managing tourism activities within the landscape carrying capacities in environmentally friendly and locally beneficial ways. The ultimate aim of the recommendations is to preserve and ensure the integrity of the valuable ecosystem of the NP.
Two. Recommendations on land use practices of local herders residing the National Park
198. To date, there are a total of 821 herding families (with a total of 100, 494 heads of livestock) of Renchinlhumbe, Khankh, Chandmani-Undur, and Alag-Erdene soums and Khatgal village residing inside the NP. Increases and declines in the population and livestock herds of the soums in the NP are applicable either to the local administrative units or the park’s landscape, pastureland, and water resources in use. Thus, we have analyzed changes in the soums’ herder populations and herd sizes basically in five year-periods as follows:
199. Alag-Erdene soum: according to the 2017 annual herd censuse, there were 223,415 heads of livestock (of which camel-19, horse-6982, cattle-17890, sheep-94230, and goat- 88364) counted.
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Graph 2. Growth of herds in Alag-Erdene soum
200. The graph shows numbers of goats and sheep in Tsagaan Belchir bagh (its some areas are included in the NP buffer zone) were increased by over 5,000 heads in 2015 compared to that in 2010. Numbers of goats were increased by over 8,000 in 2017. Numbers of small livestock in Yargis bagh were increased by 1000-2000 heads. Compared to that in 2017, numbers of goat were increased by about 3000 heads. In such numbers, the herds residing the NP would be increased in the next five years, with more pressures to the pastureland and the land.
Herder households and households of Alag-Erdene 2017 591 soum 969
2015 532 899
2010 503 826
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 Herder household
Graph 3. Growth of herder households, Alag-Erdene soum
201. The soum’s herder households were also increased: 826 households in 2010 and 969 households in 2017 (by 133). As the soum population, namely herder households, and herds were increased, the numbers of herder families and herds resided the NP were also increased. For instance, there were about 5,000 heads of livestock in 2010, the number increased to
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 106
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations 7,063 for now. There are 29 households from the soum residing Alagtsar, Kheegtsar, Donshig, Tseger, and Nariin Rivers valleys in the limited use zone. Local herders harvest hays and supply their wood needs (e.g fuelwood and wood needed for repairing or changing frames of livestock shelters) from floodplains, valleys, and mountain mouths nearby. As herds are increased, the pastureland is overloaded and overgrazed. Thus, the park administration in cooperation with the local governments needs to arrange the actions such as rotational use and restoration of pastureland through their natural regeneration and to pursue the policy to restrict or not to increase herd sizes within the park.
202. Khatgal village is bagh #6 of Alag-Erdene soum according to he administrative unit.
Livestock of Khatgal village 45838 /2005, 2010, 2015, 2017/
35292 50000 35747 19324 40000 12164 26254 10838 15103 30000 3512 8620 8727 16402 20000 2842 8823 7882 11085 2637 7080 2015 10000 2817 5272 2005 0 Total Horse Cattle Sheep Goat
2005 2010 2015 2017
However, numbers of herder households and herds inside the NP are relatively high. Graph 4. Growth of livestock of Khatgal village
As situated in the riparian zone of the lake, their impacts on the environment, namely pastureland in the NP are also high. The graph below shows growths of herds in the NP in 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2017.
Growth of population and households of Khatgal village/ 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018 year/
3146 3209 3230 4000 2523 3000 2000 759 916 1011 1010 1000
0 Houshold 2010 2015 2017 2018 Houshold
Graph 5. Growth of households and population of Khatgal village
203. The graphs above show the herd size was increased by about 20,000 in 2005-2017 and by over 10,000 heads in the last three years. Numbers, by kind of livestock, of goats were
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 107
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations largely increased. Large herds of goat contribute in the land degradation and soil erosion. The soum population has been continually increasing since 2015 and is likely to increase in the future according to the park and local specialists.
204. There are 245 households with 17,187 heads of livestock (horse-1211, cattle -4071, sheep-4661, nd goat-7244) residing the NP. Out of the households, seven households with 679 heads of livestock do spend their winters and springs in Khaich special zone. The rest or 238 households (16,508 heads of livestock) reside Jankhai, Khuzuuvch, Khaich, and Mergen on the northern and eastern shores of the Lake all year around. Due to concentration of herder families, the pastureland in the southeast from the Lake has been overgrazed and there are ordinary pit toilet facilities are abundant in the areas. Thus, there are high risks to pollute ground and lake water with waste materials from these facilities. In particular, soil pollution has already emerged in and near Khatgal village, Jankhai, and Khuzuuvch Shil those are located along the Lake according to the researhers. Thus, the actions initiated by the MoET, PAMD, the Project MON9183, and local stakeholders inclidign governmental and non- governmental organizations, economic entities, and communities should be continued and expanded. In the meantime, it is necessary at least to take the action to move or restrict herder households residing the middle of Khaich special zone to peripheral areas of the zone. No specific changes, except for those in the special zone near Alag-Erdene and Khatgal village, have been made in this re-zoning proposal.
205. Renchinlhumbe soum: there are a total of 85,591.9 hectares from the soum territory included in the NP and of which 75,392.2 hectares in the special zone, 1,129,2 hectares in the travel and tourism zone, and 9,070.5 hectares in the limited use zone.
Growth of households and population in Renchinlhumbe soum
4859 4916 4625
2005 2010 2015 2017 1201 1296 1324 1391
1Year 2Household 3Pupulation 4
Graph 6. Growth of households and population in Renchinlhumbe soum /Years: 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2017/
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 108
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations 206. Out of 1,391 herder households in Renchinlhumbe soum, 165 households of baghs # 3 and 4 spend winters and springs in the NP. For instance, herders from Khodon bagh (#3) move to valleys of Ikh Khoroo and its tributary Nariin River through Utrag and Jarain Davaa (mountain passes) and herders of Dalain Zakh bagh (#4) move to Jigleg Am, Khar Us, Khachim, Khorkhoit, and Ongolog and next to the Lake through Jigleg mountain pass (staying period: starting from around the 20th November to the beginning of April of the next
year).
Graph 7. Growth of herds in Renchinlhumbe soum
207. For instance, a narrow valley of Khoroo River are resided by 83 households with about 30 thousand heads of livestock from bagh#3 (the herds belonging to about 100 households) in winters and springs. From Khodon bagh, 14 households reside the mouths of Nariin Khoroo, Ikh Khoroo, Khar Chiireg, Abshaan, and Saridag Rivers in Sayan special zone. There are eight households residing the northern and eastern mouths of Emeel Mountain stretched along the altitude in the southern valley of Khoroo River. Moreover, herders of Khoroo bagh of Khankh soum reside the middle and lower areas of Khoroo River in 2-3 seasons a year. According to the pastureland studies, the pastureland in Khoroo River valley has been overgrazed due to regular or non-rotational livestock grazing and herders are likely to face shortage of grazing areas in the nearest future. Furtheremore, most of local herders of bagh#3 of Renchinlumbe soum harvest wood (e.g. fuelwood and the woods for household needs: building small houses, repairing and changing frames of their livestock shelters) from the slopes of Emeel Mountain (included in the special zone) and sub-alpine woodlands on the west of Nariin Khoroo. The forests, grown on rocky and non-nutritive soils, are vulnerable and have slow regeneration periods. Therefore, the park administration and local governments including the aimag/provincial authorities need to cooperate in development and implementation of the policy addressed at the actions e.g. introduction of optimal fuel materials for herders, moving winter and spring campsites in different areas, rotational pastureland use, making grazing areas free of herds at least for 2 years, and reduction of livestock herds through improvement of livestock quality.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Numbers of herder households and herds residing at more than 200 m from the lake shores
Sheep 1442 1588 Cattle 581 255 Herds 3866 64 Households 16
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 Graph 8. Numbers of herder households and herds residing at more than 200 m from Lake’s shore
208. There are five herder households of Dalain Zakh bagh (#4) spending their winters and springs in the mouths of Khorkhoit and Khar Us River valleys (included in the special zone) stretched and facing to the Lake. Some herders (4-5) of the bagh purchased (sometimes rent) winter campsite from Khankh soum’s herders. They aslo move on otor (transhumance) to the areas along Khongor Buush River in Khankh special zone to spend their winters. There are seven herder households residing in Jigleg corridor in the travel and tourism zone. These herders also supply their household timber from the forests in the special zone. The graph below shows numbers of herder households and herds from the soum residing outside more than 200 m from Khuvsgul Lake’s shore (2017).
209. Khankh soum: there are 217,563.6 hectares in the special zone, 282,539.6 hectares in the travel and tourism zone, and 108,024.8 hectares in the limited use zone from the soum territory and which means 98% of its total territory is in the NP.
GROWTH OF POPULATION AND
HOUSEHOLDS IN KHANKH SOUM… 2801
2729 2695
2015 2016 2017
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Graph 9. Growth of population and households in Khankh soum
Herds growth in Khankh soum 60000 40000 20000 0 Goat Total Horse Cattle Sheep Camel 2010 2015 2017
Graph 10. Numbers of herds in Khankh soum
210. As the foresaid, 98% of the total territory of Khankh soum lies in the NP. So, 352 herder families of the soum do reside the NP all year around. The pastureland is relatively limited in comparing to the rest of the soums. Locations of the herder families: herder of Khoroo bagh (or #1) spend winters and springs in Khoroo River valley and autumns and summers in lower areas of Khoroo, Mungarag, and Khot Rivers. Herders from Turag bagh (or #1) spend winters and springs in upper areas of Khankh, Toi, Turag, Shognuul, Noyon, Sevsuul, Borsogo, Anjist, and Ikh and Baga Dalbay on the eastern and northeastern shores of the Lake and autumns and summers in their lower areas. Most (342) of herders in the soum do reside in the limited use zone and there are 10 households: seven of them are in the special zone and three are in the travel and tourism zone.
Herders and herds within KLNP /2017/
45000 40170 40000 35029 35000 30000 25000 20000 14045 15000 12622 12081 887510183 10428 10000 24912650 31043861 5000 12 8314334 356401 731692 586722 818835 0 Household1 Special Herds zone Horse2 Tourism zone Cattle3 Limited Sheep zone GoatTotal
Graph 11. Numbers of households and herds in KLNP (by zone)
211. According to the pastureland studies, the pastureland in Khoroo and Khankh River basin and the pastureland and grazing areas in lower areas of six rivers on the eastern shore have been overgrazed and sand covers have been expanded. The riparian zone with sandy soil along the Lake is vulnerable so that it is easily affected by external impacts. Due to increasing numbers of herders and herds and climate change the permafrost containing bottom soil melting, vegetation cover degradation, and sand movement are intensified. Thus, mitigation
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 111
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations and elimination of human induced negative impacts is necessary for preservation of the ecosystem balance within Khuvsgul Lake basin. For this, rotational pastureland use and pastureland restoration is optimal in the current pastureland management.
212. Chandmani-Undur soum: there are 91,750.5 hectares from the soum territory in the NP and out of them: 36,630.7 hectares in the special zone, 24,319.3 hectares in the travel and tourism zone, and 30,800.5 hectares in the limited use zone. There are 30 households (out of 905 households in the soum) residing the NP. A total of 3,831 heads of livestock are grazed in the NP. Numbers of the herds raised by herders in the NP are less compared to the rest, but heads of sheep and goats are dominant among the herds. There are six households with 1336 heads of livestock (horse-105, cattle-388, sheep-379, and goat-464) from Ulaan Asga bagh residing in the travel and tourism zone (within and outside 100 m from the Lake’s shore) for spending winters. The rest of 24 households stay in valleys of Khelen, Donshig, and Alagtsar Rivers in summers and autumns.
А.Households and herder households of Chandmani-Undur soum
519 2017 905
467 2016 899
472 2015 893 Herder households 0 500Households 1000
Graph 12. Numbers of households aand herder households of Chandmani-undur soum
Graph13 . Numbers of herds in Chandmani-Undur
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 112
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations 213. Currently, the pastureland is not overloaded and overgrazed because numbers of herds residing the NP are comparatively less. If the herds are not increased or over-stocked in the future, it is possible to sustainably use the pastureland. Nevertherless, evidences of natural and climate change have been seen in the area, so these concerns should not be overlooked.
214. According to the data on herder households and their herds in the buffer zone soums, as shown above, numbers of households and herds in most of the soums and NP have been increasing, with exponential growths of goats in the herds. As a result, the pastureland degradation and overgrazing has been a major concern for them. In particular, concentrations of herder communitiies with large herds in summers and autumns are a major cause for overgazing and degredation of pastureland.
215. According to the Law on Special Protected Areas, traditional animal husbandry is allowed in limited use zones of Strictly Protected Area (SPA) and National Park (NP). Traditional animal husbandry is a main livelihood soures for rural population in the country. Since the transition to the market economy, however, herders have been pursuing for herd numbers overlooked livestock quality, rotational pastureland use, going on otor (transhumance) for livestock weight gaining, and consultation on sustainable use and co- management of pastureland through restricting herd sizes against the existing pastureland carrying capacities and scheduling grazing areas for use in seasons. These are an overall picture of herder communities throughout the country. In the current context, the pastureland degradation and overgrazing would lead to some problems: species of the plants eatable by livestock become sparse and lost or replaced by unuseful plants, sandy soil and sand is expanded, the biodiversity namely endangered wildlife (e.g. red deer, roe deer, musk deer, and some plants) and their habitats and distribution ranges are lost, the wildlife is pushed away from their suitable habitats and suffer from shortage of their prey species.
216. Therefore, the traditional livestock husbandry run in the NP needs site-specific optimal management with a focus on the pastureland. In the current context, pastureland management within a PA has become subject to scientific studies and the co-management efforts, where local (aimag and soum) authorities and the park administration jointly propose the policy on pastureland management within the parks, raise awareness on the policy among local pastureland users-herders, and ensure implementation within the parks. To ensure the sustainable pastureland management, the herd sizes must be restricted to carrying capacities of the seasonal pastures in the ecologically suitable regions. Seasonal allocation and use of pastures or rotational use of pastureland in seasons help in natural regeneration and yields of the pastures and enhance biological adaptations of herds to ecologically diverse habitats and ranges at the same time. In addition to the pastureland, the timber harvest by locals is another considerable issue for the park. Locals living near the special zone supply their household needs for timber or wood (e.g. wooden materials for repairing and building houses, livestock shelters and firemaking) from the forests in the special zone. In particular, herders residing in Khoroo River basin collect and harvest wood (e.g. fuelwood and the woods for household needs: building small houses, repairing and changing frames of their livestock shelters) from the northern slopes of Emeel Mountain (in Sayan special zone) and sub-alpine woodlands on
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations the west of Nariin Khoroo. The park administration and local governments should consult about alternative fuel sources to help local herders in finding practical ways.
217. Specific recommendations on pastureland use and herders residing the NP: Exponential herd growth is leading to the pastureland degredation. Thus, numbers of herder households and herds residing the NP should be kept within certain numbers without increase. For this, a focus should be given to quality, not quantity of herds. In particular, the local authorities should seek for introduction of high productive breeds of livesctock well adapted to harsh climate conditions in Khoroo River basin, which is resided by herders of Renchinlhumbe and Khank soums; Most of herder households do supply their timber needs from the forests in the special zone sections. To reduce this practice, the soum authorities and park administration cooperate in finding and introducing alternative fuel sources. Inventory needs to be done by a team of researches and professionals in the sub-alpine woodlands. Needs to sustainably use pastures in the park based on scientific studies are a pressing issue in the current context. Therefore, the park administration and soum governments need to collaborate in assessment of current pastureland management and follow-up actions for improved pastureland management through rotational pastureland use (at least for 2-3 years in rotation) and going on otor (transhumance) to remote areas and combining them with other practical management options in consistency with the specific natural features. Local governments should support the project MON-9183 efforts to facilitate local herders into groups or communities and the local herder groups to implement their pastureland management plans. Herders, who are lacking in capability in collaboration, often experience considerable amounts of risks and losses during natural disasters. Thus, at least 50% of the total herders living in the NP need to be joined herder groups and provided with attendance of international and national projects and programmes. Herder groups need to be provided with the opportunity to use some pastures on rotational basis; the basic requirement for this: herd sizes must be within the existing pastureland carrying capacities, be pointed out in the contracts with the groups. Herders from Khoroo, Khankh, Turag, and Toi Rivers basin, where pastureland is small and overloaded, need to be allowed to harvest hays in some parts of the special and travel and tourism zones nearby for a certain period (e.g. 10-14 days) under monitoring of a ranger; the potentiality to use hayfields in the zones except for the special zone on contract basis needs to be studied. Because of remoteness from the markets, local herders are not able to earn incomes on regular basis; thus, they often seek for the chances to illegally use
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 114
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations natural resources. Therefore, herder groups based eco-tourism activities should be facilitated and locally specific standards need to be developed and put in practice. Traditionally and ecologically, the land surface and natural conditions of the NP are not suited for goats. Thus, this tradition along with scientific basis needs to be presented and consulted with locals. Marketing chains of livestock commodities should be supported at local level. 218. As the recommendations above are incorporated with the policy recommendations on the environmental conservation and PAs at the MoET, they will a key driving force in the enforcement of conservation regimes within the park and improved cooperation with the tourist camps within the park to develop environmentally friendly tourism and improve benefits of local communities.
219. To conclude, Khuvsgul Lake National Park is the naturally beautiful area, where forest, taiga (boreal forest), mountains, lakes, and rivers co-exist, and a major tourism destination in Mongolia. If there is any disagreement in the proposed re-zoning of the NP, we are keen to discuss and come on agreed grounds on the concerning issues. As the Consultant to this proposal, we are making our request to review the policy recommendations on re-zoning of the NP, if necessary, to incorporate them in the policy and programmes on environmental conservation and PAs for further compliance. Furthermore, one of the priority policy considerations of the Government of Mongolia with regard to national PAs is to nominate the sites of excellence from the national PA network for inclusion in the World Network for Biosphere Reserves and the World Heritage.
220. Finally, I would like to recommend sending relevant officers and specialists from the MoET on periodic missions for onsite reviews of compliance with the conservation regimes within the park, tourist and ger camps and their activities, and land use practices of local herders within Khuvsgul Lake National Park, as the site of excellence in the country.
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Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
REFERENCE
1. Ecological Atlas of Lake Baikal Basin. UB-Irkutsk. 2015 2. Buyan-Orshih Kh. “Distributions, Structures, and Compositions of Plant Communities including Rare, Endemic, and Relic Plants in Altay-Sayan Mountanious areas”. Research Report. UB. 1998. 3. National Atlas of Mongolia. UB. 2009. 4. Geomorphology of the Mongolian People's Republic, M., 1982 5. Dorjgotov D. Soils in Mongolia. UB. 2003 6. A Map on Ecosystems of Khuvsgul Aimag. M1:3000000. Moscow. 2018. 7. Surface Water in Mongolia. UB. 2015, Ed: B.Myagmarjav. G. Davaa 8. A Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation in Sayan Region. UB. 2011 9. “Monitoring Programme for Water Quality” Project Report. 2017. UB. 2017 10. Research Report on Pastureland Monitoring in KLNP Buffer Zone. UB. 2017 11. Enkhtaivan D. “Protected Area Network within Khuvsgul Region”. Research Report. UB. 2013-2015 12. Enkhtaivan D. Relief and Morphogenetic Types of the Western Part of Khuvsgul, МОGZA №4, UB. 2009 13. Enkhtaivan D.”Justification for Khuvsgul NP Expansion” UB. 2010 14. Enkhtaivan D. “Resources and Carrying Capacities of Travel and Tourism Zone” Research Report. UB. 2012. 15. Enkhtaivan D. “Justification for Zoning of KLNP”. UB.,2014 16. Enkhtaivan D., et.al. “Baseline Studies of KLNP” Research Report. 2015.
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 116
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
Annex 1.Offical letters from soum Governors on KLNP rezoning Un-official translation
1. Official letter from Governor of Alag-Erdene soum of Khuvsgul aimag
GOVERNOR OF ALAG-ERDENE SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG Date-15 June 2018 -№ 1/261
TO: “MON 9183” PROJECT
We have reviewed the proposal of KLNP rezoning, and supporting the proposal to include up to 200 meters stripe beyond the shoreline in the tourism zone.
Governor of Alag-Erdene soum T. Ganbold
2. Official letter from Governor of Khankh soum of Khuvsgul aimag
GOVERNOR OF KHANKH SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG
Date-08 June 2018 -№ 1/74
TO: “MON 9183” PROJECT
We have reviewed the proposal of KLNP rezoning, and supporting the proposal to include end of Khoroo River and surrounding area of Shar Lake in the tourism zone. Also supporting the proposal to include Khankh soum border strip area, Sevsuul, Dalbai, Anjigas, Morin tusgal, areas with forest basins at the bottom of the Khodon River in the special zone.
Governor of Khankh soum B.Erdenebatar
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 117
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
3. Official letter from Commander of Khankh soum Border control of Khuvsgul aimag
COMMANDER OF KHANKH SOUM BORDER CONTROL OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG Date-09 June 2018
We have reviewed the proposal of KLNP rezoning, and supporting the proposal to include a strip area up to 15 km from the state border line / Article 6.1 of Chapter 3 of the Law on Borders/ in the special zone. The territory of Khankh soum of Khuvsgul aimag is included in the state border zone, strip and border area as stated in an international treaties and agreements concluded on the Mongolian-Russian border, the law of Mongolia on Border and other related legal documents. This is a priority for Mongolia's national security and the security of the people living in the border areas.
Sincerely, Commander and Captain of the Border Branch 0117 G.Nyamtaivan
4. Official letter from Governor of Renchinlhumbe soum of Khuvsgul aimag
GOVERNOR OF RENCHINLHUMBE SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG Date-14 June 2018 -№ 01/201
TO: “MON 9183” PROJECT
We have reviewed the proposal of KLNP rezoning, and supporting the proposal to include in the limited zone by creating two corridors along the nomadic route across the Urtrag and Jarain passes. But we are not supporting the proposal of a narrow strip of land up to 200 meters beyond the western shore of Khuvsgul lake to be included in the tourism zone. Our climate in Renchinlhumbe soum is very harsh, with temperatures reaching minus 50-60 Celsius in winter season. Most of the herders migrate during the winter, because it is difficult herd livestock in “Shishgediin khotgor” during winter season.There are 54 herder households with 15000 livestock located on the edge of the lake.
Governor of Renchinlhumbe soum N.Batsuuri
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 118
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
5. Official letter from Governor of Chandmani-Undur soum of Khuvsgul aimag
GOVERNOR OF CHANDMANI-UNDUR SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG Date-11 June 2018 -№ 1/31
TO: “MON 9183” PROJECT
We have reviewed the proposal of KLNP rezoning, and supporting the proposal to include Urkhiin nuruu, Ulnugiin nuruu, south side of the Tsagaan Uul (White mountain) in the special zone, to include Shuvtragiin uzuur in the tourism zone, and to include three valley of Khilen, Wide and Narrow valley of Khilen, and front end of the Urkhiin nuruu in the limited use zone.
Governor of Chandmani-Undur soum Kh.Enkhtuvshin
6. Official letter from Governor of Renchinlhume soum of Khuvsgul aimag on tourism corridor
GOVERNOR OF RENCHINLHUMBE SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG Date-23 July 2019 -№ 01/188
TO: MON (9183): Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Park Project
Please develop a tourism corridor from Nustgen Uliin Davaa to Khusht Uliin Davaa- toward to Uliin Gol (Ul River) to the edge of Khuvsgul Lake and include the tourism corridor in the updated proposal of the KLNP rezoning. 1. Along this route indigenous people migrate through the special zone in spring and autumn engaging traditional animal husbandry.
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 119
Justification of re-zoning of KLNP and its policy recommendations
2. In order to develop community based tourism product and service in Renchinlhumbe soum, there is need to establish horseback riding travel route along the nomadic route.
Governor of Renchinlhumbe soum N.Batsuuri
7. Official letter from Governor of Chandmani-Undur soum of Khuvsgul aimag on tourism corridor
GOVERNOR OF CHANDMANI-UNDUR SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG Date-23 July 2019 -№ 1/1130
TO: MON (9183): Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Park Project
Please develop a tourism corridor by crossing the Kholboo nuur of Tsagaan Gol which is included in the special zone of Sant in Tsagaan-Uuliin orgil (White mountain peak), from Tsagaan -Uuliin orgil (White mountain peak) to Tsagaan gol(White river), Khar goliin (Black river) belchir (bayou/arm) or Bulnai Spring and include the tourism corridor in the updated proposal of the KLNP rezoning. Travelers and locals visiting Bulnai Hot Springs make natural and cognitive journeys while passing through Tsagaan Uul, Kholboo nuur of Tsagaan Gol.
Governor of Chandmani-Undur soum Kh.Enkhtuvshin
D.Enkhtaivn (Short-Term Consultant, Dr.Sc.); B.Munguntulgaа (Specialist, PIU) 120
Annex 1. 1. Official letter from Governor of Alag-Erdene soum of Khuvsgul aimag GOVERNOR OF ALAG-ERDENE SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG
Date-15 June 2018 -№ 1/261 TO: “MON 9183” PROJECT We have reviewed the proposal of KLNP rezoning, and supporting the proposal to include up to 200 meters stripe beyond the shoreline in the tourism zone. Governor of Alag-Erdene soum T. Ganbold
2. Official letter from Governor of Khankh soum of Khuvsgul aimag GOVERNOR OF KHANKH SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG
Date-08 June 2018 -№ 1/74 TO: “MON 9183” PROJECT We have reviewed the proposal of KLNP rezoning, and supporting the proposal to include end of Khoroo River and surrounding area of Shar Lake in the tourism zone. Also supporting the proposal to include Khankh soum border strip area, Sevsuul, Dalbai, Anjigas, Morin tusgal, areas with forest basins at the bottom of the Khodon River in the special zone. Governor of Khankh soum B.Erdenebatar
3. Official letter from Commander of Khankh soum Border control of Khuvsgul aimag COMMANDER OF KHANKH SOUM BORDER CONTROL OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG Date-09 June 2018 We have reviewed the proposal of KLNP rezoning, and supporting the proposal to include a strip area up to 15 km from the state border line / Article 6.1 of Chapter 3 of the Law on Borders/ in the special zone. The territory of Khankh soum of Khuvsgul aimag is included in the state border zone, strip and border area as stated in an international treaties and agreements concluded on the Mongolian-Russian border, the law of Mongolia on Border and other related legal documents. This is a priority for Mongolia's national security and the security of the people living in the border areas. Sincerely, Commander and Captain of the Border Branch 0117 G.Nyamtaivan
4. Official letter from Governor of Renchinlhumbe soum of Khuvsgul aimag GOVERNOR OF RENCHINLHUMBE SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG
Date-14 June 2018 -№ 01/201 TO: “MON 9183” PROJECT We have reviewed the proposal of KLNP rezoning, and supporting the proposal to include in the limited zone by creating two corridors along the nomadic route across the Urtrag and Jarain passes. But we are not supporting the proposal of a narrow strip of land up to 200 meters beyond the western shore of Khuvsgul lake to be included in the tourism zone. Our climate in Renchinlhumbe soum is very harsh, with temperatures reaching minus 50-60 Celsius in winter season. Most of the herders migrate during the winter, because it is difficult herd livestock in “Shishgediin khotgor” during winter season.There are 54 herder households with 15000 livestock located on the edge of the lake. Governor of Renchinlhumbe soum N.Batsuuri
5. Official letter from Governor of Chandmani-Undur soum of Khuvsgul aimag GOVERNOR OF CHANDMANI-UNDUR SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG
Date-11 June 2018 -№ 1/31 TO: “MON 9183” PROJECT We have reviewed the proposal of KLNP rezoning, and supporting the proposal to include Urkhiin nuruu, Ulnugiin nuruu, south side of the Tsagaan Uul (White mountain) in the special zone, to include Shuvtragiin uzuur in the tourism zone, and to include three valley of Khilen, Wide and Narrow valley of Khilen, and front end of the Urkhiin nuruu in the limited use zone. Governor of Chandmani-Undur soum Kh.Enkhtuvshin
6. Official letter from Governor of Renchinlhume soum of Khuvsgul aimag on tourism corridor GOVERNOR OF RENCHINLHUMBE SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG
Date-23 July 2019 -№ 01/188 TO: MON (9183): Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism
in Khuvsgul Lake National Park Project
Please develop a tourism corridor from Nustgen Uliin Davaa to Khusht Uliin Davaa- toward to Uliin Gol (Ul River) to the edge of Khuvsgul Lake and include the tourism corridor in the updated proposal of the KLNP rezoning. 1. Along this route indigenous people migrate through the special zone in spring and autumn engaging traditional animal husbandry. 2. In order to develop community based tourism product and service in Renchinlhumbe soum, there is need to establish horseback riding travel route along the nomadic route. Governor of Renchinlhumbe soum N.Batsuuri
7. Official letter from Governor of Chandmani-Undur soum of Khuvsgul aimag on tourism corridor GOVERNOR OF CHANDMANI-UNDUR SOUM OF KHUVSGUL AIMAG
Date-23 July 2019 -№ 1/1130 TO: MON (9183): Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism
in Khuvsgul Lake National Park Project
Please develop a tourism corridor by crossing the Kholboo nuur of Tsagaan Gol which is included in the special zone of Sant in Tsagaan-Uuliin orgil (White mountain peak), from Tsagaan -Uuliin orgil (White mountain peak) to Tsagaan gol(White river), Khar goliin (Black river) belchir (bayou/arm) or Bulnai Spring and include the tourism corridor in the updated proposal of the KLNP rezoning. Travelers and locals visiting Bulnai Hot Springs make natural and cognitive journeys while passing through Tsagaan Uul, Kholboo nuur of Tsagaan Gol.
Governor of Chandmani-Undur soum Kh.Enkhtuvshin