Tov aimag, Undurshireet soum (steppe). Ikh Am heseg

October 8, 2023

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The total heseg territory covers some 18,241 ha and is predominantly pastureland, used for seasonal grazing. 13,666 hectares of Dashgai, Ulaan Dava, Bayan Erhet, Uliin Khotol, Baga Alag, Baga Tost areas in winter. 12,342 hectares of pastures around Tsahir Bay, Bor Khoshuu, and Bayansuudal in spring. 2,352 hectares of pastures along the Tuul river from the bridge to Tsarir Pass in summer and autumn. And it is planned to use 1564 hectares of pastures around Bor Khoshu in summer and autumn. Winter-spring region: Winter season pastures will be used from November 10 to March 20 and the spring season pastures will be used between March 20 to June 10. During other periods it will not be used.

Summer-autumn region: The PUG’s herders will use the pastures during June 10 to November 10

Project’s primary goals for Ikh Am heseg

1. Increasing soil carbon stocks

• Reducing the number of livestock grazing for extended periods within project intervention areas within the broader project area, for example by introducing seasonal pasture rotations and/or by reductions in livestock numbers over the duration of the project.
• Work with groups to bring the project closer to the herders and make it more transparent. The groups will increase the number of their seasonal migrations and will rest the pastures accordingly.

2. Biodiversity conservation

• To protect endangered natural plants and medicinal plants of endangered areas, to protect and restore the species of wild animals and local plants (to protect and increase the population of animals such as antelope, deer, dung, ibex, and marsupial, poaching of wild animals) and reduce other pressures, protect sedge forests and forests, and fight against unauthorized cutting of trees.
• Protect local wild animals such as argali, ibex, deer and antelope, stop poaching. Participate in and work more closely with local governments in environmental decisions

3. Livelihood improvement

• Creating opportunities to improve the livelihood of herders, herders working together in groups to produce products that preserve local characteristics and traditions, creating and increasing new sources of household income, developing and selling livestock products
• Give support to the production of felt and felt products, increasing the number of hides and products made from them, increasing the value of sheep skins and bringing them to the market.
• We are also focusing on increasing the sale of livestock through livestock farmers’ cooperatives.
• It is also possible to increase the activity of planting and selling vegetables and tourism.
• Also, as part of the initiative of the herders of Soum, the financing of the project is organized in the form of a mutual fund for the herders’ cash savings, and it is possible for the herders to get a short-term loan from it more easily and quickly, at a lower interest percentage than the bank.