Global Nature Fund | Combating waste at Lake Hovsgol

We protect the unique nature on and in Lake Hovsgol by setting up a waste management system. In this way, we promote sustainable tourism and support local nomadic families in preserving their livelihoods.

Lake Hovsgol in Mongolia is considered one of the oldest and cleanest lakes in the world. In winter, when the air temperature drops to minus 40 °C, it freezes over for six long months every year. In the summer months, it becomes a hotspot for national and international tourism, with thousands of tourists visiting the camps around the lake, which are an important source of income for the nomadic families in the region: In the last ten years, tourist numbers have increased tenfold from 10,000 to 100,000 annually.

The problem: as the number of visitors increases, so does the amount of waste. There is a lack of public structures – the uncontrolled dumping of waste endangers the drinking water quality of the lake and the nature in its surroundings. With our project, we are therefore supporting our project partners in setting up a self-sustaining waste management system. At the same time, camp staff and the local population are made aware of the need to protect their environment through training courses – so that Lake Hovsgol remains one of the cleanest lakes in the world.

Project area

Goals

Survey

Collection of economic key figures for the development of a self-financed waste disposal system.

Development

Develop and introduce a sustainable waste management system with a focus on waste reduction and recycling and strengthen the existing waste collection system and increase capacity.

Training

Offer training measures to raise awareness of environmental protection for tourism employees and tourists.

Impacts

20t

Development and implementation of an environmental protection concept that provides for the collection of 20 tons of uncontrolled waste at 18 locations along the lakeshore