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Reforestation

of Northern

Khentii

a mongolian community project supported by volunteer tourism

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

Mongolia is one of the least forested countries in the world, with only about 8% of the land being classified as forested.

LOSS OF TREES IN UMNUDELGER:

In the last decade, overuse of trees for firewood in Umnudelger has eliminated about 400 hectares of forest. Pests and diseases as well as fires have destroyed an additional 170 hectares of forest. As a result, our local source of water, the Hangal River, has dried up, having lost almost half of the forest cover along its course.

Tree stumps.

The Soum government issues permits for felling trees for firewood, but while trees continue to be cut down, there is sadly no official reforestation program to replace them. In the last decade, the scope of the deforested area has expanded to beyond the Soum Center boundaries.

The region is starting to show the early stages of desertification, a condition plaguing much of southern Mongolia and steadily making its way northward. Besides the depletion of water resources, clear cutting trees leaves nothing to hold the topsoil in place, creating severe dust storms, which are only increasing in intensity in Mongolia.

WATER SHORTAGE IN UMNUDELGER:

The town of Umnudelger lost its main source of clean water when the source of the Hangal dried up. Additionally, all of the wells within the town have also failed. A 5 ton tanker brings 2-3 shipments of water per day to the town from a well several kilometers away, but this is only enough to allow an astounding 4-5 liters of water per person, per day. By comparison, Westerners are advised to drink about 2 liters of water every day to stay healthy, while using well over a hundred liters for cooking, taking showers, doing laundry, and flushing a toilet. The water shortage barely allows for an adequate drinking supply and doesn't leave much for other basic water needs.

Also affected by the water shortage is the local food and agriculture industry. Animal husbandry is a major source of community livelihood, but when the town's water supply cannot even support the human population, people have to leave their animals to roam the countryside in search of water. The arid countryside cannot support our animals much longer. Most wildlife has already abandoned the area because of the lack of streams, rivers or lakes.

Because the traditional Mongolian diet consists of meat and flour-based products, it is lacking in vitamins from vegetables. Some vegetables are now imported to Mongolia from abroad, but they are expensive. The lack of water makes it impossible for most people to grow any basic vegetables locally, resulting in a poorer diet for our people.

The water shortage in Umnudelger is threatening the survival of our community at its present site. It is severely damaging to people's health, to our everyday life and to the local economy. Please continue on to our Mission Statement and Progress Update to see how Reforestation of Northern Khentii aims to address these environmental impacts on the vitality of our community.