Extremely important nature reserve in Central Asia under threa

LBV opposes road construction project in Mongolia

The Great Gobi Reserve A is located in the southwest of Mongolia. It is one of the most valuable hotspots of biodiversity worldwide, but it is severely threatened. The Mongolian government wants to open a border crossing to neighbouring China. In order to run this crossing, a road is supposed to be constructed, leading through the nature reserve at a length of 640 kms. The LBV – Bavarian Society for the Protection of Birds and Nature - has been engaged in the protection of this region for 15 years. We protest most strongly against this construction project, and we call on the Mongolian government to rethink these plans.

Drohnenaufnahme I © Ralf Hotzy

 

The Great Gobi Reserve A has more than 50,000 square kilometres and is one of the largest nature reserves on earth. It comprises wide parts of the so-called Trans-Altai Gobi, which is a desert region in southwestern Mongolia. The nature reserve is uninhabited apart from a small oasis. There are no roads and there is no infrastructure. Due to its untouched nature and its strict protection, it was possible to maintain a refuge for a variety of rare and severely endangered species. The Wild Camel, for example, was able to survive in this region, as one of only three remaining populations worldwide. Another severely endangered species is the Gobi Bear, a brown bear. Only about 50 animals have survived in this nature reserve. These are only two examples; the list is endless and undermines the incredible importance of this region for the protection of species and habitats word wide.

The setup of a border crossing between Mongolia and China was announced in the Mongolian government plan 2024-2028. This border crossing is supposed to be installed in Naransewstei, which is located in the nature reserve. A road is supposed to be constructed from there to Altai, which is 640 km apart, connecting to the Mongolian road network. These road construction plans are a catastrophe for the animals living in this region. These animals depend on large, undisturbed areas – areas that cannot be found elsewhere anymore. The road would dissect and isolate this last refuge. Shy species as the Gobi Bear, Wild Camel or Asiatic Wild Ass would be severely impaired.

Gobibär | © Nationale Universität der Mongolei (NUM) © Nationale Universität der Mongolei (NUM)

Since 2010, the LBV has been supporting a project by the nature protection organization Mongolian Conservation Biology Society (MCBS), the National University of Mongolia (NUM) and the administration of the Great Gobi Reserve. A centre for the protection of the Gobi Bear and for research on biodiversity in general has been built up in Echin Gol, the only inhabited oasis in the region. With the support of the LBV, valuable knowledge could be gathered on the occurrence and biology of the Gobi Bear and the biodiversity in this protected area. The findings of these studies undermine once more the value and sensitivity of this region.


A citizen movement has formed in Mongolia, consisting of nature protection agencies, but also of representatives of local administrations. They protest against the plans of the government. We must support these protests, since this region is of global importance, and Mongolia has the responsibility to preserve it.


The LBV appeals to the Mongolian government to halt these plans and to stand up for the strict protection of the Great Gobi Reserve A also in future

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Der LBV - Landesbund für Vogel- und Naturschutz in Bayern e.V.  ist mit Freistellungsbescheid des Zentral-Finanzamtes Nürnberg, Steuer-Nr. 241/109/70060, als gemeinnützigen Zwecken dienend anerkannt und gem. § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 KStG von der Körperschaftssteuer freigestellt. Ihre Spende ist steuerlich absetzbar. Mehr zur Transparenz