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Low impactNature conservation in Mongolia is by and large the result of low population pressure. Few, if any habitats, in Mongolia are threatened. The areas that we will visit are remote. The little tourism that does take place has so far been confined to just a few places. With private ownership of livestock we have seen a tendency to increase the number of livestock, and overgrazing is indeed a problem in many areas. Although cultural impact and other threats to the Mongolian heritage is low we would like to outline the special conditions that apply when you travel with us in these lands: People: The Mongolian herdsmen are completely mobile during the summer months and they spread out quite well. They seemingly pitch their gers wherever they fancy the pasture is good for their livestock. Hence, we seldom encounter the same families from one trip to the next. But with a few exceptions, attractions are not site-specific. We are quite mobile ourselves and choose new routes over and over again. The Dukha, by outsiders known as the Tsaatan, are the reindeer herders of Mongolia and they inhabit the northern taiga on the border with Tuva in Hövsgöl province. Anthropologists and foreigners alike have become fascinated by their ancient lifestyle unusual to Mongolia. Unfortunately, only 175 individuals of the Tsaatan remain fully nomadic.
Only a few visitors have the potential to impact them severely. While a sensible and organized tourism could benefit and help them to maintain their lifestyle, no management system to that effect is in place today. This is why Nomadic Journeys discourage visits to the Dukha until visits to their areas more clearly can be organized in such a way that it is sustainably beneficial to them, and helps maintain the integrity of their lifestyle. Although remote, it is possible to undertake such journeys. At the moment, however, we do not offer commercial trips to the Dukha people. Toiletries: Camps are always near to open streams or lakes in which we can wash ourselves. Please bring bio-degradable toiletries only along on the trip. The squat style toilet holes will of course be covered after use. In semi-permanent camps toilets are long-drop style. There are no flush toilets except for in the Ulaanbaatar hotels. Fishing: We encourage those among our guests who are semi-vegetarians or prefer fish to bring along their own rod if they would like to try fishing. The Gobi areas (desert south) are devoid of fish. All fish caught must be eaten or released. If we want fish on the menu we must catch it ourselves.. There will not be time for sports fishing as such on horse trail journeys or treks, however there will be some opportunity in the mornings and evenings near some of the campsites, especially in the Arhangai, Hentii and Hövsgöl areas. Food: Our meat is bought from the local herdsmen, sometimes including live animals and milk products such as yogurts and dried cheese. There is more than 30 million head of livestock in Mongolia. We do bring along some imported foods and canned soft drinks and beer whilst on trek. Hunting: Mongolia is considered very exclusive big game hunting grounds for some foreign hunters. The country is in great need of hard currency and wildlife is relatively abundant. Some hunters have counted to 80 Ibexes on one single mountain ridge. We have learnt that some hunting pressure have caused the prey of Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) to shift their home ranges in which is negative for the herdsmen in these areas. Both Ibexes (Capra sibirica) and Argali Sheep (Ovis ammon) have in some hunting areas changed their home ranges leaving the Snow Leopard home range devoid of their main prey species. As a consequence, the Snow Leopard prey more on domestic livestock causing harm to local people. We would like to be proven wrong, but until then, we do not offer any hunting at all. Our ger camp: Nomadic Journeys operate one ger camp at Jalman Meadows in the Khan Khentii Strictly Protected Area under a special concession arrangement. The entire camp can be relocated to another site without any impact. Electricity is operated by solar panels and two small wind mills. The concession includes a commitment to provide added value for local people of the area, in terms of jobs and hire of services. General: It is not necessary to teach Mongolians the western concept of nature conservation. Their pastoral and traditional livelihood system already place much stress on the need to understand ecosystem dynamics. The lifestyle of the herdsmen is seen as the focal point of Mongolian culture. We try to encourage travel by traditional methods which indeed is comfortable. E.g. while on trek we will move our equipment on yak, camel, or horse carts. We find this concept unique and very promising. Ecotourism or sustainable tourism is much sought after in Mongolia but still in its experimental stage, and thus not perfect. We cannot say there is a planned approach to sustainable tourism development in Mongolia. However, more by error than design, Mongolia has avoided the many pitfalls brought about by tourism. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of our operations at this time, and we seek travelers, that are willing to share this unique Mongolian experience with us. Help provide ideas for our local partners - often herdsmen themselves - to develop a kind of ecotourism adapted to the Mongolian situation, that strikes the balance of sustainability and profitability. |
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