The new well constructed at the herder’s summer camp site.

Although the effects of global warming and increased aridity are likely to put the Mongolian ecosystems under stress, it is evident that most threats are of a more local nature and directly or indirectly caused by man.

The Argali wild sheep’s (Ovis ammon) historical home range is threatened of disappearance and the area is one of them in Mongolia. The focus of this particular project is to build local level capacity. Basing on protection of Argali as a key species and its natural habitats ensure long term conservation of wildlife and sustainable natural resources use in the Unjuul mountains area by supporting and strengthening the being established herder’s communities.

It was recognised that a considerable part of the earth’s biodiversity survives on territories under the ownership, control or management of indigenous peoples and local (including mobile) communities `. Most such sites have been hitherto unrecognised in formal national and international conservation systems, perhaps because [their] management systems are often based on customary tenure, norms and institutions that are not formally or legally recognised `. At the Congress agreed a recommendation in support of the national and international recognition of such areas (Recommendation 5.29, Vth IUCN WPC).

A long-term strategy is the conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources in which the benefit to the local population is the principal orientation. The support to the herder’s communities for better water supply will improve their livelihood and directly contribute to the conservation of wildlife. Herders respect critical Argali habitat, and livestock is being kept off identified critical wildlife range. Implementation of management plan of the community conservation area is started and it will contribute to the biodiversity and Argali conservation national action plans.

Planned activities: