Nature in Mongolia

Mongolia lies across the transition between Siberian taiga and the Central Asian steppes and deserts. Its landscapes include the Altai-Sayan high mountains in the west, the Amur-Heilong and Daurian Steppe region in the east, alpine areas, taiga, forest-steppe, grassland steppe, semi-desert, Gobi desert, sand dunes, saline and freshwater lakes, rivers and wetlands. The Uvs Nuur Basin and the Landscapes of Dauria are UNESCO natural World Heritage properties, and Mongolia has 11 Ramsar wetlands covering about 1,439,530 hectares. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) oversees the national protected-area system and environmental control. Mongolia's Law on Specially Protected Areas recognizes national conservation parks, natural complex areas, natural reserves and national monument areas. MECC reported in December 2025 that state protection covered about 20.8% of the national territory, or approximately 32.5 million hectares. The reported inventory included 23 national conservation parks, 37 natural complex areas, 47 natural reserves and 13 national monument areas. These figures and classifications remain sensitive to later inventories and reforms. Buffer zones reduce harmful impacts, regulate resource use and support local participation. A buffer-zone proposal can involve the Protected Area Administration, the relevant soum or district Governor and local citizens. Protected areas generally allow access only on approved routes and require camping at designated sites. Visitors may not alter habitats, collect wood, reeds, rare plants or flowers, hunt, disturb wildlife, nests or burrows, create new tracks or pollute. Pets and firearms require permission from the local conservation authority. Research in a protected area requires approval from the central environmental body. Land-use applications normally pass through the Protected Area Administration or the soum or district Governor before a decision by the central environmental body. A limited-zone agreement may last up to five years and may be extended once for up to another five years. Entry and service fees depend on the area and service; Mongolia has no single uniform tariff confirmed for all protected areas. Mongolia's wildlife includes takhi or Przewalski's horse, Wild Bactrian camel, Gobi bear or Mazaalai, snow leopard, Mongolian saiga, Asiatic wild ass, argali, Siberian ibex and migratory birds such as the White-naped Crane, Great Bustard, Relict Gull and Swan Goose. Protected areas, species legislation, ranger work and monitoring support their protection. Wildlife use requires the applicable permit, fee and annual quota. Hunting permits are limited to qualified citizens, while rare-animal collection and export require authorization from the central environmental body. Mobile pastoralism uses seasonal pastures and remains closely linked to Mongolia's ecosystems. Water scarcity, pasture degradation, overgrazing, competition between livestock and wild animals, mining and infrastructure can create conflicts. Local partnerships, Governors and soum environmental organizations can support joint management through agreements and management plans. Mining and other natural-resource projects require environmental impact assessment, an environmental management and rehabilitation plan, and public or local feedback. Environmental damage can lead to compensation claims. Protected-area mining disputes can be escalated from the Protected Area Administration or soum or district Governor to MECC environmental control and then through available administrative or legal remedies. The National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring (NAMEM) provides weather, environmental monitoring, forecasts and warnings. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) handles preparedness and response for hazards. A dzud begins with drought or poor pasture and is intensified by snow, ice or extreme cold that blocks livestock access to forage. Drought, dzud, wildfire, steppe fire, dust or sandstorms, floods, severe wind and snowstorms, lightning, earthquakes and animal disease all affect nature-related safety. Climate projections indicate rising exposure to drought, dzud, wildfire and flooding, so seasonal forecasts and local warnings matter for travel, livestock and conservation decisions. Protected Area Administrations, local authorities, communities and non-governmental organizations provide formal, non-formal and community-based environmental learning. Mongolia's environmental rules support ecological education, public environmental information and local participation. Public environmental-awareness data are available through the national database, and citizens may report environmental violations. A statutory incentive can equal 15% of an imposed fine or compensation. Nature access therefore involves both use rights and duties to protect habitats, wildlife, water and pasture.