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[edit] Khar Us Nuur National Park
[edit] Introduction to the Park
Khar Us Nuur National Park (KUNNP) is located in Hovd aimag, about 40 km east of Hovd City. The 8,503 sq km park contains all of Hovd aimag's major lakes, most notably Khar Us Nuur, a freshwater lake whose name means "Black Water Lake". The lake's area is 1,495 sq km, making it Mongolia's second largest freshwater lake (after Lake Khuvsgul), though its depth reaches an average of just 4 meters. The Hovd River (the largest river in the aimag) empties into the Khar Us Lake delta, and creates a body of water that is an important stopping point for migratory birds; for those interested in seeing the birds the best viewing times are in May and late August. On the lake's southern edge on the main road between Hovd City and Ulaanbaatar, there is a metal bird observation tower that was built in 2000 by an environmental NGO called the Khun Club with the help of some British students. If planning a trip to the lake bring mosquito repellent, particularly in the summer, as the lake's mosquitos could make an otherwise enjoyable visit unbearable.
From the northeastern edge of Khar Us Nuur, a short but deep river called Chono Kharaikh River (Wolf Jump River) flows southeast and passes through Hovd's recently completed hydroelectric dam, which gives power to Hovd aimag. 100 km east of Hovd City, the river then empties into Khar Nuur (565 sq km), a freshwater lake with a max depth of 7 meters whose name simply means (Black Lake). The southern edge of Khar Nuur narrows into the Nomiin Khooloi (Book Channel), which leads to a third lake named Durgun Nuur, a 305 sq km lake 145 km from Hovd City and named after nearby Durgun Soum. Although Durgun Lake receives its water from freshwater Khar Nuur, it is a saltwater lake. Between the lakes stands the majestic Jargalant Khairkhan Mountain, 3,796 meters tall, and part of the Mongolian Altai Mountain Range. KUNNP was established in 1997 and was designated as a Wetland of International Importance during the Ramsar Convention in 1999.
Khar Us Nuur National Park is significant because of its rich natural and cultural heritage. While in Hovd, consider making a visit to the renowned Jargalant Orgil herder community, a group that resides within the park and specializes in offering tours through the various places of note within the park, including Rashaantyn Am (Mongolia's tallest waterfall). The park is also home to a number of protected plant and animal species that are considered rare or threatened. These include the Snow Leopard, Mongolian Saiga, Argali, Dalmatian Pelican, White-Headed Duck, and Altai Onion. Huge numbers of water birds and other species use the KUNNP as a breeding, molting, and migration stop-over site. Due to their high conservation value Khar Us Nuur, Khar Nuur, and Jargalant Khairkhan Mountain have all been designated as Important Bird Areas (Hovd aimag has one other Important Bird Area- the Bulgan River in Bulgan Soum, which is home to Anser cygnoides, Aquila heliaca, Falco naumanni, Larus relictus).
Wetlands of the Central Asian Internal Drainage System are of particular biological significance as their plants and animals are usually derived from their chance dispersal over vast distances of the surrounding arid landscapes. In isolation from other populations and subject to different evolutionary pressures, several species evolved in new and unique ways. A good example is the existence of three fish species of the genus Oreoleucicus at KUNNP, all of which are endemic to the region. Plants and animals which have evolved in an isolated ecosystem can be more vulnerable than their ecological counterparts which have evolved in a more competitive environment.
[edit] KHAR US NUUR NATIONAL PARK OFFICE
The park is managed by Park Administration, under the Ministry for Nature and Environment. There are 11 rangers, 2 specialists, and 4 administrative staff. Visitors wishing to go to the Khar Us Nuur National Park will need to pick up a 3,000 Tugruk permit from the park office in Hovd City, located across the street from the Main Post Office. The permit lets you go almost anywhere within the park (there are some restricted areas), and also allows you to take pictures within the park. The office is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. - 12 noon, and from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m; ask for the tourism contact officer, Ganzorig (Ганзориг).
Khar Us Nuur National Park Office
P.O. Box 151, Hovd, Mongolia
Phone +(976) 01432-22334
[edit] MAMMALS AT KHAR US NUUR NATIONAL PARK
KUNNP is home to 54 species of mammals. It is thought that historically Wild Bactrian Camels, the Asian Wild Ass, and possibly the Asiatic Wild Dog inhabited the area of what is now KUNNP. 18 species have been recorded which are either nationally or globally threatened or near threatened.
Siberian Marmot (Marmota sibirica)------------------(Endangered)
Corsac Fox (Vulpes corsac)-----------------------------(Near Threatened)
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)--------------------------------(Near Threatened)
Grey Wolf (Canis lupus)---------------------------------(Near Threatened)
Eurasian Lynx (Felis (Lynx) lynx)----------------------(Near Threatened)
Pallas's Cat (Felis (Otocolobus) manul)---------------(Near Threatened)
Snow Leopard (Uncia (Panthera) uncia)-------------(Endangered)
Wild Mountain Sheep - Argali (Ovis ammon)--------(Vulnerable)
Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa)-------------(Endangered)
Black-Tailed Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa)---------(Vulnerable)
Mongolian Saiga (S.t. mongolica)----------------------(Vulnerable)
Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica)---------------------------(Near Threatened)
Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)------------------------------------(Near Threatened)
Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber)-------------------------(Endangered)
Gobi Jerboa (Allactaga bullata)------------------------(Near Threatened)
Satunin's Jerboa (Cardiocranius paradoxus)---------(Vulnerable)
Grey Hamster (Cricetulus migratorius)---------------(Near Threatened)
In 2004, 22 Przewalski's Horses (which are now extinct in the wild) were reintroduced to the region; for more information on the horses please visit this website.
[edit] BIRDS AT KHAR US NUUR NATIONAL PARK
Khar Us Nuur National Park has plenty to offer for the avid bird watcher. About 270 species of birds have been sighted in KUNNP, 16 of which are globally threatened (3 species Endangered, 6 Vulnerable, and 7 Near Threatened). Though be aware that the locals aren't very familiar with the birdlife at the park, and the marshes in the surrounding delta can make the lake difficult to reach. Mandal Island and the Lun Channel are the main habitats of the Dalmatian Pelican.
Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus)------------------(Vulnerable)
Falcated Duck (Anas falcata)-----------------------------(Near Threatened)
White-Headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala)-----------(Endangered)
Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides)--------------------------(Endangered)
Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca)----------------------(Near Threatened)
Pallas's Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus)-----------(Vulnerable)
Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)--------------(Near Threatened)
Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)-------------------------(Vulnerable)
Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug)-----------------------------(Endangered)
Corncrake (Crex crex)-------------------------------------(Near Threatened)
Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata)-------------(Vulnerable)
Black-Tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)-------------------(Near Threatened)
Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus)-----(Near Threatened)
Relict Gull (Larus relictus)--------------------------------(Vulnerable)
White-Throated Bushchat (Saxicola insignis)---------(Vulnerable)
Yellow-Breasted Bunting (Emberiza aureola)---------(Near Threatened)
Congregatory waterbirds at Khar Us Nuur: Pelecanus crispus, Oxyura leucocephala, Anser cygnoides, Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Falco naumanni, Larus relictus, Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax carbo, Casmerodius albus, Platalea leucorodia, Cygnus cygnus, Anser anser, Anser indicus, Tadorna ferruginea, Tadorna tadorna, Anas strepera, Anas penelope, Anas platyrhynchos, Anas clypeata, Anas acuta, Anas crecca, Netta rufina, Aythya ferina, Aythya fuligula, Bucephala clangula, Mergus merganser, Grus grus, Vanellus vanellus, Calidris temminckii, Calidris subminuta, Larus ichthyaetus, Sterna caspia.
Congregatory waterbirds at Khar Nuur: Pelecanus crispus, Oxyura leucocephala, Anser cygnoides, Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Podiceps cristatus, Phalacrocorax carbo, Anser anser, Anser indicus, Tadorna ferruginea, Bucephala clangula, Mergus merganser, Grus grus, Vanellus vanellus, Sterna caspia.
Threatened Species at Jarglant Khairkhan Mountain: Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Saxicola insignis.
[edit] FISH AT KHAR US NUUR NATIONAL PARK
There are five species of fish occuring at KUNNP, and four of them are considered threatened in Mongolia.
Altai Osman (Oreoleucicus potanini)-----------------(Least Concern)
Bigmouth Altai Osman (Oreoleucicus angusticephalus)----------(Vulnerable)
Dwarf Altai Osman (Oreoleucicus humilis)-----------(Vulnerable)
Mongolian Grayling (Thymallus brevirostris)--------(Vulnerable)
[edit] THREATS TO KHAR US NUUR NATIONAL PARK
The main threat to KUNNP is unsustainable use of natural resources, including:
Overgrazing: this leads to habitat loss due to competition between wildlife and livestock, and to increasing desertification. This is being accelerated by economic development plans and activities like irrigation, illegal mining, and dam construction.
Poaching: poachers have been targeting KUNNP's threatened species like the Mongolian Saiga and the Snow Leopard.
Management: further problems are faced due to the lack of appropriate park management, including lack of funding and capacity, as well as lack of public participation and awareness in the conservation efforts.
To ensure the long-term protection of KUNNP and its buffer zone and to guarantee the well-being of people and fauna and flora inhabiting the area, several management activities are considered necessary:
- Reduce and eliminate pastureland overgrazing and unsustainable uses of natural resources by local people.
- Reduce and eliminate illegal hunting and improve biodiversity conservation.
- Increase participation of local communities and improve public awareness activities.
- Develop eco-tourism at a local level.
- Improve the institutional capacities and infrastructure of the protected area.
Special thanks to the Hovd aimag branch of the World Wildlife Fund for help in creating this section of the website. For more information please visit the World Wildlife Fund's Mongolia website.
For more information please visit the World Wildlife Fund's Mongolia website
