– Next generation join bird experts to celebrate natural flight –
Dalanzadgad, South Gobi – A group of school children from Dalanzadgad have a new appreciation of the rich variety of birds soaring above the Gobi after last weekend’s annual World Migratory Bird Day celebrations.
The Gobi is a prime spot for bird watching, with three major migratory bird routes crossing the desert. During this year’s events local children learned how to identify and recognise many of the species which pass over their schools each spring.
Oyu Tolgoi has organised celebrations of World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) since 2011, and this year organised a host of activities with the World Wildlife Fund, the Mongolian Society of Bird Watchers, the South Gobi tourist association and the Children’s Association of Nature Lovers.
This year, local children were taught how to recognise migratory birds, with a competition to challenge them to identify more than their friends. The competition was won by tenth grade students, G.Tsenguun and B.Tumentsogt, who are both members of a local environmental club called “Falcon.”
G.Tsenguun said: “We cannot imagine the surrounding environment without birds. I can now recognise all of the five migratory birds that fly into the Gobi. Our club has done a lot of work to save and protect the environment. Last year our club members went to the neighboring aimag of Dund Gobi and to the Lammergeyer Valley in our aimag to plant many trees. This year we learnt many new things about migratory birds.”
B.Tumentsogt added: “We have a geography room at our school with many photos of birds on the wall. I know about all the birds that we have in the Gobi. I would like to call on my friends to help save and protect Mother Nature and migratory birds.”
WMBD activities also included an exhibition of photos of rare migratory birds taken in the South Gobi and bird watching activities at a nearby lake.
The exhibition displayed photos by photographer and bird watcher, Kh.Tumendelger, head of the local tourist association and also Ts.Purevsuren, Oyu Tolgoi’s Fauna research supervisor.
Ts.Purevsuren said: “I displayed photos of around 40 birds. The children were surprised to learn that we had so many birds in the Gobi. There are only a handful of bird watchers in Mongolia and the photo exhibition was helpful in spreading the message about why we should protect the environment.
The highlight of the day for many children was watching migratory birds stopping to rest at a small lake near Dalanzadgad, before continuing to their final destination.
WMBD was established in 2006. Every year, on the second weekend of May, people around the world take action and organise public events such as bird festivals, education programmes and birdwatching excursions.
Oyu Tolgoi is supporting a project to set up database of geographic location, photos, images and videos, scientific names of pristine natural sites, rare wild life and plant species of Mongolia which is being jointly implemented by the Mongolian national society to protect natural environment and wild life, the Ministry of green development and Environment, and the Ministry of culture, sports, tourism. This year the project implementing team, among others, will document mammals, birds, reptiles, plants, insects through photos and videos.
Oyo Tolgoi fauna research supervisor Ts. Purevsuren has written a book called “Birds of Khanbogd” (in Mongolian) which is available at Oyu Tolgoi information centers in Ulaanbaatar and Dalanzadgad.
About Oyu Tolgoi LLC (http://ot.mn/en)
Oyu Tolgoi LLC, Mongolia's largest copper and gold mining company, is a strategic partnership between the Government of Mongolia, Turquoise Hill Resources and Rio Tinto. Located in the Umnugobi, Oyu Tolgoi has commissioned Concentrator plant in December, 2012 and commenced shipments of copper concentrate in July of 2013. As the biggest single investment in Mongolian history, Oyu Tolgoi already is a major driver of the country’s economy.
Oyu Tolgoi is managed by Rio Tinto, which is investing global expertise and cutting-edge technology to help develop Mongolia’s mining industry and ensure Oyu Tolgoi is one of the world’s most advanced mines. Oyu Tolgoi is developing a nationwide vocational training programme, regional infrastructure, and is committed to ensuring more than 90 per cent Mongolian national employment and a strong Mongolian supplier base. These programmes will help drive economic growth for generations to come.
Oyu Tolgoi’s core commitment is to a safe work place and setting a new standard in environmental care.
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