Project Update: November 2008 - March 2009

The project have been introduced a collaborative management approach for conservation of Argali sheep and other wildlife, and trained the herder groups on how to protect and manage important habitats of wildlife while improving their livelihoods. As result of the project activities and negotiation with Ministry of Nature and Environment and local stakeholders the Argali sheep trophy hunting stopped for two years in the area.

The project organized two training-workshops. The first one organized at the site involving all herder community members in July on different issues including conservation measures, sustainable natural resource use, law enforcement and government policy to support communities on pasture management and nature conservation. It was planned only one training as well as set in the project document but we agreed with herder community members that we can spend the budget more efficiently and organize second training in Ulaanbaatar, because there was planned joint training on community development, reduction of poverty and alternative income generation activities and exchange experiences of different communities from other regions. The capacity building training-workshop organized in November 2008 and 5 members of herder community attended the workshop and trained on above mentioned issues. Some pictures about experiences and activities of other communities are attached that the participants presented during the training.

The herder community members provided with simple brochures, guidance and training materials that will help to get ideas on different environmental issues and practices.

It took place two times free broadcasting on Mongolian radio.

The project team had coordination field trip to the site at the end of November and had meetings with local stakeholders and herder groups, agreed on further activities and arrangements.

The project activities would be completed successfully in time as planned.