The aim of the community development component is to accompany the application of the pasture use plan we want to implement in Khomiin Tal in the future, through income diversification and livelihood improvement. To date, we have undertaken the following actions:
Income diversification
Overgrazing is a major threat in Mongolia. Although our studies of Khomiin Tal pasture productivity are not yet complete, our observations indicate that locally there are too many livestock in relation to the little grass produced by the arid rangelands of the area. Actions to limit livestock impact would therefore benefit the ecosystem, which is why we have supported development of alternative activities to herding since 2002.Through a small loan program, the following activities (amongst others) were created:
- Salt extraction from natural salt pans close to Khar Nuur (the lake neighbouring Khomiin Tal)
- Small scale production of rope from camel and horse hair
- Small scale manufacture of riding equiment
- Traditional cheese production (aruul in Mongolian - picture below)
Creation of community groups
To facilitate development of alternative activities, particularly with regard to fundraising, two community groups with a formal Mongolian NGO status were created (one group of men and one of women). This structure also makes it easier for local people to participate in rural development training courses offered by organisations such as WWF or the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) in Khar Us Nuur National Park and its surrounding area. These courses allow local people to acquire skills in wool processing and manufacturing more fuel efficient ovens.Wild Horse Mesh
In 2004, the project was awarded a grant from the Rolex Award for Enterprise to rehabilitate a building at Khomiin Tal village in order to organise meetings for knowledge exchange between scientists and local people. This project was called "Wild Horse Mesh", as a tribute to Przewalski's horse.To date, three annual meetings have taken place:
- 2005: Biodiversity
- 2006: The horse and other equids
- 2007: Pastoralism