Oyu Tolgoi has implemented water well monitoring in partnership with the herders of Khanbogd soum in Umnugobi aimag. Oyu Tolgoi is starting a comprehensive Participatory Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation programme in this area. It encompasses the monitoring of flora, fauna, dust, noise and surface water.
The Gobi is very different than the Khangai mountain-steppe region of Mongolia. There are no rivers or major water sources in the Gobi desert. Water is usually drawn from water wells. Therefore, herders face many questions such as whether the water level is dropping and if there are any external impacts. These questions can be answered only through monitoring and analysis.
Previously, herders were only listening to the results of monitoring, but now this situation has changed. Herders are now monitoring their water well themselves. They have participated in trainings and gained knowledge necessary to conduct monitoring themselves. Oyu Tolgoi provided them with necessary equipment such as GPS, photo cameras, tape metres, measurement tables and water manuals etc. Now herders have a better opportunity to monitor the water level and pastureland yield using this equipment and can find out whether the water level and pastureland yield is decreasing or increasing.
All information regarding environmental monitoring and evaluation conducted by Oyu Tolgoi is accessible to the public. The mine is closely working with the herders to make it more accessible and transparent. Working together towards a common goal is good, but this programme also gives the herders the opportunity to work independently. This work is crucial for herders and they are very satisfied. As in the past, they don’t have to sit near the water well all day and night for monitoring. Now all they have to do is measure the water level before they water their animals and again after the watering and record the results.
This work is successfully progressing and producing results. Today, herders are measuring the level of the water wells, but there are plans for them to measure rain and precipitation levels as well. Initially, 9 herders participated in this monitoring programme from last year and now the number of herders participating in the programme has increased to 20. In addition, a lot of attention has been received from herders about participating in the programme and the importance of this work. Of course, for herders who live close to nature, participation in the programme will bring many benefits. On the other hand, this is a demonstration that cooperation with herders can produce positive results.
This is the start of mutual trust, cooperation and great success.
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