Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Minister of Environment and Tourism D.Oyunkhorol, Chief of Interpretation, Education and Volunteers at the US National Park Service Tom Medema and the consultant to the Lake Khuvsgul National Park of Mongolia Robert Mcintosh along with representatives of some NGOs worked in Khuvsgul province on January 27-29. They organized a discussion on the pressing issues facing the area around Lake Khuvsgul.

Presentations were given at the discussion about implementation of the project assisted by the Asian Development Bank, and the operations of the National Park Authority of Mongolia and the Information and Research Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environment at the national park.

Also, the Minister held a meeting with citizens of Khatgal settlement and gave insight to government policies toward the local development, environment protection and tourism. The citizens also sounded their opinions. The local administrators noted that, although the local administration has been trying its best to contribute to the development of one of the main tourist attractions of Mongolia, the finance and budget issues are not in its favor. Therefore, the leaders have been working to solve the problem by collaborating with international projects, being realized in the area.

Minister D.Oyunkhorol emphasized the importance of coherence of actions and collaboration of government, local management and international partners in preserving the pristinity of Lake Khuvsgul, hailed as the Switzerland of Mongolia.

Tourists are mainly attracted to Lake Khuvsgul for the unique landscape and the extraordinary nomadic lifestyle and traditions, the lake offers. As of today, a total of 118 individuals and companies are granted special permits from the government to run tour operations in 561.74 ha area within the Lake Khuvsgul National Park. A study shows that 38 companies out of the above have been operating actively and accumulating approximately MNT 7.0 million to the local budget per year.

Citizens of Khatgal settlement put forward requests on upgrading Khatgal’s status from settlement to soum, mobilizing the international tourism and waste management standards, and improving working conditions of gamekeepers and park rangers.

The Minister pledged to submit the request on upgrading Khatgal’s status to the cabinet, and resolved to allocate MNT 10.0 million for re-decoration of the Cultural Centre of Khatgal and undefined amount of financing for eco-system research to reduce desertification and climate change.

Minister D.Oyunkhorol applauded the activities, run by Mongolian Ecology Center NGO among the pupils of Khatgal to train future gamekeepers, and handed presents to the organizers and donated MNT 3.0 million in support of continuation of their programme.