Nature Conservation Foundation to assist in Lake Khuvsgul clean up

Recognizing the pollution that is being caused by the wrecked vehicles that are on the bottom of Lake Khuvsgul, the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) initiated a project last month to clean up the lake. 

They are currently seeking the funds and equipment needed to remove the vehicles from the lake.

This is not the first time a non-governmental organization (NGO) has sought to clean up the lake. In early 2012, the “Khuvsgul Lake Owners” NGO and the Khuvsgul Province local council launched the “Khuvsgul Lake-Blue Unity” movement to clean the lake, with the support of Unuudur (Mongolian newspaper) and the Baldorj Foundation. For the past year, these organizations have conducted research on how to remove the vehicles, with the support from State organizations such as the Special Rescue Team of the National Emergency Management Agency, the Khuvsgul Lake local authorities (formerly of the Ministry of Road, Transportation, Construction and Urban Planning) and the Water Authority (formerly of the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism).

Since transportation across the ice of Khuvsgul Lake began in 1953, over 40 vehicles, including barges, ZIL-130 cars, tractors, and motorcycles have sunk into its waters. At least 20 of these vehicles remain on the lakebed.

Khuvsgul Lake holds 65 percent of Mongolia’s freshwater reserve. The vehicle wrecks are therefore of great concern as they are corroding and are polluting the lake’s water. The lake supplies approximately 60 percent of Lake Baikal’s water through the Eg and Selenge Rivers.

Given that Lake Khuvsgul flows into Lake Baikal, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia has expressed interest in joining the movement to clean up the lake. Lake Baikal flows into the Arctic ocean via the Angara River.

The Mongolian parliament has begun to pay more attention to the importance of cleaning the lake and the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Green Development is reportedly ready to assist the effort, with funding allotted from the state budget.

Short URL: http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/?p=2962

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