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ENVIRONMENTAL REFORM PROJECT NEMO II

SMALL GRANT PROGRAM

FINAL MONITORINGREPORT- 2008

ERDENESAIKHAN N. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT

ULAANBAATAR, January 2009

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CONTENT ABBREVIATIONS.........................................................................................................................4 AKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................................5 PROGRAM SUMMARY................................................................................................................6 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................7 MONITORING METHODLOGY ..................................................................................................8 MONITORING COMMITTEE.......................................................................................................8 MONITORING TEAM ...................................................................................................................9 PUBLIC OUTREACH ACTIVITIES .............................................................................................9 MONITORING ASSESSMENT RESULTS OF GRANT PROJECTS .......................................11 THEMATIC AREA: IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AT NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS..........................................................................................................................16

Development of EIA screening methodology (262) .................................................................16 Development of methodological standard to define some heavy metal components in air, water and soil. (304) ............................................................................................................................17 Ecological and economic valuation of birds of Mongolia (230) ...............................................18 Development of methodological standard for environmental genotoxicological analyses (143)...................................................................................................................................................19 Development of a model environmental strategic plan of aimags at the example of Dornogobi aimag (61)..................................................................................................................................20 Developing the participatory impact monitoring tool for soil and water conservation activities (216) ..........................................................................................................................................21 Regional Action Plan for combating desertificarion (217) .......................................................22 Development of Nalaikh District environmental strategic plan (231) ......................................23 Development Dariganga National Park management plan (72)................................................24 Integrated planning of environmental protection and restoration at the mining deposit area (130) ..........................................................................................................................................25

WATER QUALITY, RESOURCE PROTECTION .....................................................................26 Protection of spring water sources (158)...................................................................................26 De-fluoridization of drinking water (183) .................................................................................27 Protection of spring source of nationally famous place "Mother Rock" (134) .........................28

THEME: PROTECTION OF SOIL AND VEGETATION COVER AND DESERTIFICATION IMPACT MITIGATION ...............................................................................................................29

Utilization of straw and poultry bio-organic wastes to restore soil fertility and vegetation cover (224) ..........................................................................................................................................29 Forest-Water-Protection (2).......................................................................................................30 Desertification alleviation through improving household energy efficiency, use of solar energy and liguified gases and changing an old habit of firewood collection to application of energy saving technologies(180)...........................................................................................................31 Control of grasshopper population in Monkhkhairkhan soum and its resourse utilization (321)...................................................................................................................................................32 Setting up an eco tourism route in BogdKhan SPA(273)..........................................................33

THEME: AIR POLLUTION REDUCTION.................................................................................34 Revision of optimal period for urban heating in view of changing climate (98) ......................34 Development of "New Era" air pollution reduction mechanism (212) .....................................35

THEME: PUBLIC AWARENESS RAISING, TRAINING AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT ..........................................................................................................................36

Promotion of ecological education of children through a “Comic book -2" (94) ....................36 Participation of secondary school eco-clubs in environmental protection (190) ......................37 "Youth to Youth" environmental education (51) ......................................................................38 Environmental journalist club (213)..........................................................................................39

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Public awareness raising on rare and endangered plant species of surrounding four mountains of Ulaanbaatar city (164)...........................................................................................................40 Development of web-based info on tree planting (215) ............................................................41 Development of database of chemical substances used Mongolia and translate and input all relevant safety information (219) ..............................................................................................42 Hand book for voluntary rangers with self-testing materials (100) ..........................................43 Capacity building of Citizens’ partnerships organizations (SPO) for environmental protection in Khovd aimag (13)..................................................................................................................44 PROJECTS OF CITIZENS PARTNERSHIPS ORGANIZATIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ..........................................................................................................................45 Capacity building for forestry communities of Jargalntkhaan soum (214) ...............................45 Khairkhanbulag (4)....................................................................................................................45 Capacity building of forestry communities in Tunhel village of selenge aimag(37) ................46 Conservation and sustainable use of timber and non-timber forest products (52) ....................46 Bilgekh spring - Our water (53) ................................................................................................47 Capacity building of community on biodiversity conservation through marmot re-introduction (317) ..........................................................................................................................................48 Zuun Khairkhan (340) ...............................................................................................................48 LESSONS LEARNED ..............................................................................................................50 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEXT PROGRAM .................................................................51 ANNEX 1 ..................................................................................................................................52

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ABBREVIATIONS EMS – Environmental Management System LCM – Local Citizens Meeting (Local Parliament) MAS - Mongolian Academy of SciencesMNE –Ministry of Nature and Environment (old naming) MNET –Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism (new naming) MC – Monitoring Committee MT – Monitoring Team NGO – Non Governmental Organizations NEMO – Netherlands Mongolia Trust Fund for Environmental Reform OSF – Open Society Forum SME – Small and Medium Enterprises SPO – Citizen’sPartshership Organization WB – World Bank

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AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Preceded activities of this monitoring report were of collective work and I grateful to responsible representatives of the OSF, MNE and World Bank. Special thanks go to Mss. Javkhlan, Ayush of OSF and Ms. Ariunbileg, MNE for their everyday support to make the monitoring program very successful. I very appreciate Ms. Erdenejargal, executive director, OSF, Dr. Enkhmandakh, national director of Environmental reform project, the team of Monitoring committee and Mr. Tony Whitten, Senior Biodiversity Specialist, World Bank for their valuable guidance and assistance provided to me.

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PROGRAM SUMMARY The Open Society Forum (OSF) made contract with World Bank Mongolia Country office and the Ministry of Nature and Environment of Mongolia to manage announcement, selection and monitoring the grant projects within the framework of NEMO II project. The thematic coverage of the program is same as with the first one, which aimed at enhancing monitoring and evaluation capacity to measure and enhance national and local environmental performance; strengthen public environmental awareness; develop strategic environmental plans at local level; and rational management of natural resources through grant projects among non-governmental organizations, individuals and local administration in the country; The OSF received 345 project proposals from various NGO and community organizations and individuals. The selection committee evaluated thoroughly all received project proposals using the crietria, which were developed and reviewed before the selection process started. Finally, 37 grant projects were selected and granted in total amount of US$290,711. One project (Community project in Khentii aimag) out of 36 approved projects was dropped at the start of the program, due to overlapped financing of the same project from another donor. Upon selection process completed and grants awarded, OSF launched a monitoring program for these grants. The main principle used in the OSF’s monitoring program for grants within the Environmental Reform project is to assess what results the particular project has achieved and then provide follow up advice for actions. It aimed to identify progress towards results. Upon completion of a trip to a project, monitoring team presented its report to the Monitoring committee meeting for members’ review and guidance. The following monitoring tools were used for all grant projects: Interview with trainers and trainees for monitoring of a success of training and review availability and

quality of training agenda, lectures and evaluation sheet Review a means of following the policy formulation process for policy advice Client survey, focus groups to capture changes in the perceptions for advocacy Review mid-term report and financial report

Grant projects have been rated according to their implementation status, achievements and failure at the end of the program. Of 36 projects, 11 have got rating excellent and 14 projects have good rating, 6 projects have got satesfactory rating and 1 project has got bad rating and 1 project failed to implement the project. 3 projects still need to submit their reports and not yet rated. If exclude the latter projects, overall rating of implementation is assessed as good. In percentage, portion of excellent projects is estimated 33%, portion of good projects – 42%; satisfactory projects- 18.2%; portions of unsatisfactory and failed projects 3% each, respectively. All 36 grant projects have been categoraized into five thematic areas under the general objective “ENHANCING MONITORING AND EVALUATION CAPACITY TO MEASURE AND ENHANCE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE”, according to the objectives and expected results of grant projects. That are: i) Improving environmental planning at national and local levels; ii) Community actions for water quality and resource protection; iii) Community actions for mitigating desertification impacts, protection of soils and vegetation cover; iv) Urban pollution reduction and v) Capacity building and enhancing of local communities on environmental protection. In the following monitoring report, each grant project is described in terms of their objectives, activities performed and outputs as well monitoring notes that assess the project outputs and impacts.

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INTRODUCTION

The Open Society Forum (OSF) made contract with World Bank Mongolia Country office and the Ministry of Nature and Environment of Mongolia to manage announcement, selection and monitoring the grant projects within the framework of NEMO II project. This is the continuation of the NEMO I, which has been a program with one year duration and the second program is set for implementation in three years starting from 2007. The program on grant projects aimed at enhancing monitoring and evaluation capacity to measure and enhance national and local environmental performance, strengthen public environmental awareness, develop strategic environmental plans at local level and rational management of natural resources through grant projects among non-governmental organizations, individuals and local administration in the country. The NEMO II small grant program call for project proposals has been announced through two major daily newspapers twice a week for 3 weeks in Mongolian and English version starting from November 15, 2007 It has also been advertised through the Mongolian National TV, Mongol radio, local FMs in aimags, OSF website and distributed to local libraries in aimags. The OSF received 345 project proposals from various NGO and community organizations and individuals. The selection committee evaluated thoroughly all received project proposals using the crietria, which were developed and reviewed before the selection process started. Finally, 37 grant projects were selected and granted in total amount of US$290,711. Composition of project implementers are: 14 NGOs, 6 community organizations, 9 research teams, 5 research institutions and universities, and 3 citizens. Geographical coverage of grant projects: 6 projects implemented nation-wide; 18 projects in 20 aimags and UB, 11 projects in 13 soums; and 2 projects in 2 national parks; The Monitoring committee was formed upon selection process completed. The monitoring team that consists of an OSF consultant for monitoring and an environmental expert, are visit project sites according to the schedule to assess project progress and provide advice to the project teams. The main principle used in the OSF’s monitoring program for grants within the Environmental Reform project is to assess what results the particular project has achieved and then provide follow up advice for actions. It aimed to identify progress towards results. Upon completion of a trip to a project, monitoring team presented its report to the Monitoring committee meeting for members’ review and guidance. Out of 37 projects selected, 25 are implemented by the NGOs or research teams, offices of which are based in Ulaanbaatar. So, monitoring program was planned that bi-weekly visit to those project offices in Ulaanbaatar and then one time visit to project site during the project life time. Before visiting the project site Monitoring team reviews mid-term activity and financial report, which the project staff submits to OSF as indicated in the grant agreement. The following monitoring tools were used for all grant projects: Interview with trainers and trainees for monitoring of a success of training and review availability and

quality of training agenda, lectures and evaluation sheet Review a means of following the policy formulation process for policy advice Client survey, focus groups to capture changes in the perceptions for advocacy Review mid-term report and financial report

We have categorized all 37 grant projects into five thematic areas under the general objective “ENHANCING MONITORING AND EVALUATION CAPACITY TO MEASURE AND ENHANCE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE”, according to the objectives and expected results of grant projects. That are: i) Improving environmental planning at national and local levels; ii) Community actions for water quality and resource protection; iii) Community actions for

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mitigating desertification impacts, protection of soils and vegetation cover; iv) Urban pollution reduction and v) Capacity building and enhancing of local communities on environmental protection. In the report, each grant project is described in terms of their objectives, activities performed and outputs as well monitoring notes that assess the project outputs and impacts.

MONITORING METHODLOGY

The main principle used in the OSF’s monitoring program for grants within the Environmental Reform project is to assess what results the particular project has achieved and then provide follow up advice for actions. It aimed to identify progress towards results. Out of 37 projects selected at first round, 25 are implemented by the NGOs or research teams, offices of which are based in Ulaanbaatar. So, monitoring program was planned that bi-weekly visit to those project offices in Ulaanbaatar and then one time visit to project site during the project implementation time. Before visiting the project site Monitoring team reviews mid-term activity and financial report, which the project staff submits to OSF as indicated in the grant agreement. The following monitoring tools were used for all grant projects: Interview with trainers and trainees for monitoring of a success of training and review availability and

quality of training agenda, lectures and evaluation sheet Review a means of following the policy formulation process for policy advice Client survey, focus groups to capture changes in the perceptions for advocacy Review mid-term report and financial report

MONITORING COMMITTEE The monitoring committee (MT) originally forms as selection committee for review project proposals. After selection process completed and identified grantees, the selection committee continues to work as monitoring committee. Prior formation, OSF consulted with the World Bank and MNE on the structure and composition of the committee. The purpose of MT was:

- To evaluate implementation status of grant projects through review of a monitoring report of the monitoring team and provide policy guidance and professional assistance to support a project team in achieving its objectives.

- If not satisfied with the project progress and results, to provide assistance for improvement. If necessary, to discontinue the project activities and cancel the contract.

- Discuss and provide assistance on issues raised with project implementation.

As it was with NEMO I program, the monitoring committee consists of 3 persons from MNE, 3 from OSF, and 3 from academia and NGO: From MNE: Dr. Enkhmandakh. B., Vice- minister Mr. A. Enkhbat, Director of Department of Sustainable Development and Strategic

Planning Dr. Dagvadorj D., Director, Information, Monitoring and Evaluation Division From OSF: Ms. Erdenejargal P., Executive Director Mr. Tur Od, Board member, Vice President, Khas Bank Mr. Erdenesaikhan N., Environmental Consultant From Academia and NGO:

Acad. Dorjgotov D., Director, Institute of Geography, Mongolian Academy of Sciences (MAS)

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Dr. Tsogtbaatar J., Director, Institute of Geo-Ecology (MAS) Dr. Adyasuren A., President, University ECO ASIA During the project implementation period, monitoring committee met 3 times in 16 June, 12 November and 24 December to assess grant projects’ progress based on monitoring team reports. The committee reviewed and approved the planned public open day for discussion the end results of small grant projects. In overall, the monitoring committee performed its duty perfectly resulting in succesful completion of small grant program and greatly contributed in smooth implementation of 2008 small grant program. MONITORING TEAM The monitoring team consists of three members: OSF project environmental consultant, financial manager and a professional or experienced person invited either from academia or NGO. As for the third monitoring team member, new expert is selected and invited, depending on the type of project planned to visit. The first member monitors overall project implementation, the financial manager monitors financial performance and the third member assess the implementation from the expert point of view and provides specific advice for project implementation process, to ensure project success. Each team member obliged to submit a trip report independently to ensure fairness and objectivity of a monitored project progress and performance. Also, this arrangement helps the monitoring team to provide timely professional and very specialized assistance to projects, which assessed this professional assistance as very helpful to achieve the project outputs. After each trip the monitoring team presents trip reports at the monitoring committee meeting for member review and approval. In total, the monitoring team made 9 trips to the project sites within period of June to October 2008, with the length of around 9,000 kilometers by 4x4 Jeeps dominantly and by airplane to Khovd. The following experts have joined the monitoring team to monitor ongoing project activities and assist in implementation to achieve small projects’ goals:

- Mr. Ganbaatar, forest expert, MNET - Mr. Batsaikhan, biologist, Mongolian National University - Dr. Dagvadorj, Director of Information, Monitoring and Evaluation Division, MNET - Mr. Batchuluun, forester, MNET

Monitoring team trip reports are available (in Mongolian only) in the OSF office. PUBLIC OUTREACH ACTIVITIES OSF paid great attention for dissemination of grant announcement at the program start. Call for grant projects has been announced through two major daily newspapers twice a week for 3 weeks in Mongolian and English version starting from November 15, 2007. It has also been advertised through the Mongolian National TV, Mongol radio, local FMs in aimags, OSF website and distributed to local libraries in aimags. Aimags’ Environmental departments have supported the announcement dissemination. Thanks to this, 345 proposals from 20 aimags except Bayan Ulgii have been submitted within a month from announcement. A public open day, which intented to introduce and display 37 selected project proposals to interested public, was organized on February 20, 2008. Information on objectives, activities and expected outputs and project implementation organizations has been dislplayed for each grant project and all grantees provided explanation to the interested public. It is estimated that about 120 people came to this event and found information on the selected projects, expected results and selection procedures.

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To introduce about project progress and implementation outputs to the public, the public open day was organized on 16th and 17th December 2008 and Open day agenda is enclosed in annex 1. Grantees have displayed their project results on the board with 2 m2 size and made 15 minutes presentation each and answered to the questions and clarification from the audience. About 250 people, including 30 from other aimags and soums, came to this 2 day event and got knowledge about the small grant project results. During the program implementation, we have got a lesson that most of the citizens and NGOs staff in rural areas does not have knowledge on grant projects and lack of skills on how to write a grant proposal. To overcome the situation to some extent and allow more people to benefit from the program, the monitoring committee has approved a proposal to organize a one day training program on writing environmental grant proposal in each of 4 aimag centers for NGOs, civic socieities and citizens interested. 3 series of training and one information session have been organized in Arvaiheer, Uvurkhangai aimag center, Dalanzadgad of Umnugobi aimag center, Khovd aimag center and Choibalsan, Dornod aimag center, respectively. About 40-60 in each of the session, and in total 180 people have attended these training sessions and improved their knowledge and skills on grant writing.

Glances at training sessions for grant writing in Arvaiheer, Uvurkhangai aimag on July 2, 2008 and in Khovd, on Sept 2, 2008.

Training session in Dalanzadgad on Aug 22, 2008.

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MONITORING ASSESSMENT RESULTS OF GRANT PROJECTS In this section, we tried to rate each project by its success acheived and overall implementation process in the table1. The following three criteria have been used to make up the success rating. First criterion is project results. We have assessed results against the stated project objectives and expected results. The second criterion is significance of project outputs. Whether the project results achieved is significant and does it make contribution to the local solution of environmental issue addressed. The third criterion we used is sustainability of project outputs. Are the produced outputs sustainable and how long can it be sustained. These criteria utilized to rate the projects and results of monitoring visit (reports of M&E consultant and of professional, which joined a particular trip), project’s activity and financial reports (mid-term and final) have been used to make the rating. Rating was made on 5 scores. The smallest number 1 means project failed to implement. The highest score 5 means project with excellent results. With this rating, 11 projects have got rating excellent and 14 projects have good and 6 projects have got satesfactory and 1 project got bad and 1 project failed to implement the project. 3 projects still need to submit their reports and not yet rated. If exclude the latter projects, overall rating of implementation is assessed as good. In percentage, portion of excellent projects is estimated 33%, portion of good projects – 42%; satisfactory projects- 18.2%; portions of unsatisfactory and failed projects 3% each, respectively. We cannot guarantee that this rating is very objective, considering the fact that a monitoring visit is done once to a project implementation site during entire project time. Neverthless, the rating information will be useful.

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Tab

le 1

. RA

TIN

G O

F PR

OJE

CT

S

Proj

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ID

Proj

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impl

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Proj

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ct

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e in

% a

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ts

Ass

essm

ent

2U

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imag

Fo

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O

Fore

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pr

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5 5

410

0%, f

inal

repo

rt

Exce

llent

4B

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m T

uv

Aim

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Kha

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bula

g H

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p K

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Spr

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prot

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4 4

100%

, fin

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G

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13K

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NG

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K

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THEMATIC AREA: IMPROVING ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AT NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS

Development of EIA screening methodology (262)

Project objectives: Developing integrated methods and guideline for conducting a screening assessment of environ menial impact of projects, improving the quality of screening and detailed environmental impact assessment by the government staffs. Executing agency: A local NGO “Association of Environmental Impact Assessors” Contact address: Mrs. Ikhbayar, Executive Director, phone: 99012565. Email: ikheco_e@yahoo.com Project area: Nation-wide Budget: $12,990

Project activities: o Review of fundamental methods of EIA and their classification, pros and cons o Detailed instruction on Use of ToR and guideline methods for EIA o Detailed instruction on Check list method o Instruction on matrices method o Instruction on Networking method o Instruction on overlay method o Methodology on mining EIA (with case study) o Methodology on industrial EIA (with case study) o Methodology on agriculture production EIA (with case study) o Methodology on water industry EIA (with case study) o Methodology on road construction EIA (with case study) o Methodology on hydropower station EIA (with case study) o Methodology on PowerStation EIA (with case study) o Methodology on oil industry EIA (with case study) o Methodology on tourism EIA (with case study) o Methodology on sewage and treatment facilities EIA (with case study) o Methodology on gold mining EIA (with case studies on open and pit mining) o Methodology on airport and train stations EIA (with case study) o Methodology on poultry and piggery EIA (with case study) o Use of mathematical modeling for EIA o Compilation of standard, norms and normative docs on EIA o Compilation of standard, norms and normative docs on land rehabilitation o Compilation of all materials and submission to MNE

Project outputs and impacts:

The team consisted of national key experts on EIA that are lead researchers and directors of most experienced EIA companies, including experts from MNE department. The project team has developed the EIA assessment guidelines for different type of business projects. That aimed to assist specialists/assessors at the central office of Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism of Mongolia and its aimag level specialists to carry out initial EIA screeeing for business project proposals. It is especially useful for newly recruited EIA assessment staff, because turn over among trained staff at the Mninstry level is kept high. The project output is a significant contribution for increasing knowledge and performance of all staffs of MNE working on EIA screening, for review of Detailed EIA projects as well for all EIA companies. And most importantly quality of EIA will be improved based on these reference methodologies and guidelines.

17

Development of methodological standard to define some heavy metal components in air, water and soil. (304) Project objective: to develop methods to determine the content of mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) in air water and soil environment and consequently develop 6 draft national standards on these heavy metals for further approval by national authority. Executing agency: research team from the Chemical department of the National University of Mongolia Contact address: Prof. Davaasuren S., faculty of Chemical Department, Phone: 99276416, email: Davaasuren_sandag@num.edu.mn Project area: Nation-wide Budget: $12,000 Project activities:

o Preparation of instructions, equipment, tools and chemical materials for conducting project activities

o Get air, water and soil samplings for Hg and Pb from designated areas of UB, Bayanhongor, Uvurkahngai, Arkhangai, and Tuv Zaamar

o Define chemical contents of the samplings using classical chemical and physico-chemical methods

o Define high and low levels of Hg and Pb contents in the sampling using classical chemical and tool based analytical methods. Develop a methodology to use simultaneously both mentioned methods

o Develop draft national standards of Hg and Pb levels in air, water and soil contents based on proposed methodology. In total 6 draft standards

o Organize a national technical conference to introduce project outputs and publish results Project results:

o The project team has made a study to determine environmental quality of UB in 625 square kilometers area within UB. Soil sampling at 14 points (Zaisan, MUIS, 100 ail, Doloon buudal, Bayanzurk bridge, Botanik, Zuun 4 zam, Baruun 4 zam, uildver tsagaan haalga, Yarmag denj, Niseh, Biokombinat) and 3 sampling of drinking water from deep wells in Bayanzurkh, Sonsgolon and Dambadarjaa areas and 5 samplings of water from various points of Tuul river were taken as per the instruction to assess the heavy metal contents. As results show, lead content in the soil exceeds the permitted level in 100 ail and 32 circle areas.

o The team has submitted draft national standard on the methods for the determining mercury and lead content in air, water and soil samples to the National Authority of Standardization and Metrology. Review and adoption of the standard is expected within the first quarter of 2009.

o The workshop on the theme “Environmental pollution problems of gold and other mining industries” has been organized at the National University of Mongolia on November 7, 2008 with 70 participants from relevant areas. The draft national standards and methodologies considered have been discussed and commented by the participants of the workshop

o A booklet “Environmental pollution problems around gold and other mining industry”, which include all presentation materials and descriptions of methods of heavy metals and recommendations, have been published and distributed.

Conclusion: The project is completed successfully and its outputs are contributing greatly in improving environmental quality through setting up new national standards of Hg and Pb contents in all media: air, water and soil. With current booming of mining sector and urban development, the role of updated regulatory mechanisms is crucial for compliance by the industry and enforcement by the authority.

18

Ecological and economic valuation of birds of Mongolia (230) Project objective: to conduct an ecological and economical evaluation of Mongolian birds to facilitate enforcement of the Mongolian Law on Hunting and the Law on Fauna and to regulate problems related with valuation of birds or its habitats either disturbed or hunted illegally. Executing agency: Research team Contact address: Mr. Dorjgotov B, bdorjgotov2002@yahoo.com, Phone: 99881437, Project area: Nation-wide Budget: $7,000 Disbursement to date:$7,000

Project activities: o Field monitoring of rare and endangered bird species in selected areas:

forest regions of Khuvsgul, Bulgan and Selenge aimags; steppe regions of Khentii, Sukhbaatar and Dornod aimags; and Gobi-desert regions of Gobi-Altai, Bayanhongor and Umnugobi aimags;

o Development of a methodology for ecological and economical evaluation of bird species o Data gathering, desk review and analysis on evaluation of each rare and endangered bird

species in terms of ecological functions and economic value o Technical meeting and expert discussions on study progress and results o

Project results:

o Desk review of relevant literature and consultation with other research teams that have done ecological and economic evaluation for other biodiversity species in Mongolia for fine-tune the research methodology and approaches

o Field monitoring team has collected data in three dominant regions of Mongolia: forest, steppe and Gobi-desert regions

o Mapping of distribution of 469 species of 19 orders of birds of Mongolia is done o Reviewed classifications and list of rare and endangered as well economically valuable bird

species and some species have been re-classified. o While reviewing, birds species under CITES I and II annexes as well CMS I annex have been

identified for setting up specific policies on protection of these species and their habitat areas o Within the project activities, game bird species of Mongolia have been defined and ecological and

economical valuation was done for 103 species of bird o From the list of bird populations in Mongolia, ecological and economical valuation was also done

for 99 species, which included into the convention on Migratory Species (Bonn CMS) and CITES annex II

o Market and consumption values were also estimated of these 202 species

Project impacts: As bird population represent as living element of surrounding ecology and a source of intellectual development, food and consumption of Mongolian society, it needs to be cared and treated properly as it requires national and international legislations. Current study results on ecological and econimcal valuation of bird species will play important role for protection and wise use of bird population in Mongolia. Historically this document was absent and therefore, some of species have been disappearing due to excessive consumption or distruction of habitats in Mongolia. With availability of such a document, the bird species will be managed in a sustainable way in Mongolia and therefore the project was very necessary and its impact is high.

19

Development of methodological standard for environmental genotoxicological analyses (143) Development of methodology and standard of environment genotoxicological analysis and the determination of the bacterial pollution level in air, water and soil in Ulaanbaatar, Arvaikheer and Bayankhongor cities Project objective: same as title Executing agency: Research team Contact address: Dr Battsetseg.Ch of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, the National University of Mongolia, batstetseg@biology.num.edu.mn, Phone: 99278140 Project area: Ulaanbaatar capital city, Uvurhangai and Bayanhongor aimag centers Budget: $ 7,000 Disbursement to date: $ 6,553

Project activities: o Level of bacterial pollution of water resources in UB, Uvurhangai and Bayanhongor aimag

centers will be identifiedo Level of bacterial pollution of air in UB, Uvurhangai and Bayanhongor aimag centers will be

identifiedo Level of bacterial pollution of soil in UB, Uvurhangai and Bayanhongor aimag centers will be

identifiedo Methodology and national standards on some genotoxicological measurements will be

established o Based on the results of the bacterial pollution studies in the project areas, recommendations for

follow up actions to reduce bacterial pollution in urban areas will be issued

Project progress and results: The following results have been produced:

o Air pollution analysis identified specific areas with higher bacterial pollution in the air of UB, Arvaiheer and Bayanhongor. UB all sampled areas contains high risk bacteria (tsus zadlagch) in winter time and 30% of sampled areas contain gemolitic bacteria

o Soil bacteria pollution in UB in wniter is 2-3.6 times and in summer 21.-14 times higher the norm; whereas in Arvaiheer 1.2-2.2 and 1.5-3 times; in Bayanhongor 1.6-2.5 and 1.7-3.6 times respectively higher than the established norms.

o Water bacteria pollution results contain also worrying results: rivers sampled in UB territory exceed acceptable level of bacteria pollution by 5-190 times; Delgereh spring of Arvaiheer 60 times; and Tuin River in Bayanholgor aimag 2.4 times respectively.

o A draft national standard “Water quality- Identification of geno-toxic characteristics in water and polluted water- Salmonella/microsom testing” is developed and submitted to the National Office of Standardization and Metrology for revision and approval.

Project impact: Project activity is unique in Mongolia in terms of its approach on identifying bacterial component of air, water and soil pollution. Conventionally, chemical content of pollutions either in air, water or soil were investigated in Mongolia and identification of pollution source by the content of micro-organisms in the source is therefore very important to take necessary actions to decrease the pollution and its impacts. A new pollution standard through intervention of NEMO II project will be a crucial step towards improving of environmental conditions and secure citizens livelihoods in urban areas of Mongolia

12. 1

0

5

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(

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20

Development of a model environmental strategic plan of aimags at the example of Dornogobi aimag (61) Project objective: Develop a long-term strategy on environmental conservation, sustainable use of natural resources and its restoration at aimag level on the example of Dornogobi aimag Executing agency: Research team Contact address: Mr. Nyam L, nyam_05@yahoo.com, Phone: 99177116 Project area: Dornogobi, Sainshand Budget: $ 10,000 Project activities:

o Data gathering for development of environmental strategic plan from international and national sources, review best practices and data anaylsis

o Questionnaire survey among all soums of Dornogobi aimag to assess current socio-economic and environmental situations among rural citizens

o Organization of public discussion for review of the first draft strategy inviting representatives of neighboring 6 aimags (Dornod, Khentii, Dundgobi, Sukhbaatar, Gobi-Sumber and Dornogobi) and training for application of the strategy

o Final strategy and public review through dissemination of material and public media and submission to Aimag citizen representative hural for approval

Project results:

o Desk review of relevant materials has been done and the National Ecological Strategy of Republic of Kazakhstan was chosen among other country plans, as the basis for adopting its principles to the aimag strategy. Justification was similarities of geography and livelihood as well this document was highly valued by Europian Eco-Forum in 2003. Embassy of Mongolia in Kazakhstan assisted in getting relevant materials on this policy document. Materials from other 6 countries, including Sweden, Australia were reviewed to adopt into the strategy

o Materials of Dornogobi aimag have also been collected including aimag development strategy, governor action plan, reports and aimag environmental plan and its report.

o The survey materials have been prepared (4 pages with 50 questions) and 15 persons were interviewed from each soum and pre-testing of the survey materials has taken in Sainshand among 20 persons and revised.

o Survey was done among 4 soums and 57 baghs of the Dornogobi aimag ans 210 people have been participated in the survey process.

o The meeting for introduction of project activity on strategic plan development was made on 23-24 of April inviting 38 persons, including environmental inspectors from 13 soums.

o Within the frame work of the project produced 1:100 000 scale GIS map based on the ARC MAP program

o The environmental management strategy plan of the Dornogobi aimag is developed and cirlculated among all relevant stakeholders and all comments have been incorporated

o It is expected to be considered by the Aimag Citizens Representative Meeting for its approval for further implementation.

Project impact: The project output – aimag level strategy document will be handed in to the staff of the Strategic planning department of MNET for their review, comments for improvement and then apply the principles, as reference for further replication to other aimags.

21

Developing the participatory impact monitoring tool for soil and water conservation activities (216)

Executing agency: Research team Contact address: Mr. Haulanbek A, geoeco@magicnet.mn, Phone: 99160057, Project area: Zamiin-Uud soum, Dornogobi aimag and Bulgan soum Umnugobi aimag Budget: 7,000 Disbursement to date:$2,950

Project activities: The project has six activities: o Community selection, participatory workshops and impact

studies o Enhancing knowledge on soil and water conservation measures o Testing and improving participatory impact monitoring tool o Monitoring impact of SWC measures on rural population o Knowledge transfer and capacity building of collaborating

institutions. Project progress and results:

o The project has developed the draft methodology on establishing impact monitoring tool with involvement of expert groups of the Geo-Ecology Institute.

o The public discussion took place in UB for reviewing the draft methodology. o The pre-testing of the methodology took place in Zamiin-Uud. After tailoring the methodology,

the team has its field trip to project areas. o The participatory impact monitoring has taken place for the past projects on desertification

combating. In particular, “Improving land management and combating desertification” implemented in Zamyn-Uud, Dornogobi aimag in 1998 and “Forest strip creation for reducing sand and dust storm effects” project inmplemented in Bulgan Soum of Umnugobi aimag

Comment: We attended the meeting for draft methodology review and provided advice on improvement. The monitoring team visited Zamyn-Uud soum of Dornogobi and Bulgan soum of Umnugobi aimag at the end of August to assess the project progress on site. Project staff has completed participatory monitoring tool in consultation and comments from various civil society organizations

22

Regional Action Plan for combating desertificarion (217) Project objective: Executing agency: Institute of Geo-ecology

Contact address: Mr. Dash D, geoeco@magicnet.mn, 321750, Project area: Sukhbaatar aimag Budget: $ 7,000 Project activities:

o Detailed desertification assessment: biophysical changes, socio-econmic impacts and feedbacks o Sttakeholder analysis and organize series workshop with participation of all levels of

managemengt (high level decision makers to land users) for the purpose of produce series of possible and promising actions to stop ill-practice of land degradation

o Develop a methodogy for regional planning for desertification combating o Develop the regional action plan for combating desertification of the Sukhbaatar aimag

Project results: The regional action plan to combat desertification of the Sukhbaatar aimag is – first action program at aimag level, developed by leading experts of the country. It is comprehensive in terms of its causes and consequences identified and actions to be taken to reduce impacts and accelation processes of land degradation in this region. Status of land degradation was identified in each soum and the relevant actions specifically focused on particular areas have also been identified with this action program. Praticial methods applicable for this region have been included in the recommendation such as establishing various wind breaks; selection of types of species resistant to dry conditions and their planting and caring technologies; and water collection and saving practical tools. The project is started on July 1st, after the parliamentary election that took place on 29th June. As the project planned to visit all the soums in Sukhbaatar on May and June, its activity was overlapped with election campaign and the project team in consultation of NEMO II small grant monitoring committee has decided to postpone its field activity until July. The monitoring team has met the project team in the field on 30 July in Sukhbaatar aimag and visited as well Sukhbaatar soum and Dariganga soums and have discussed with soum governors and herders. The meetings confirmed the need of such a desertification combating program that reflected the specifics of the aimag and meet the real need of the citizens in this region. Comment: The project team that included experienced researchers of Geo-Ecology Institute has worked effectively to make the program as aimag model to combat and alleviate the desertification effects in southern areas of Mongolia. This will serve as guiding document for all aimags to properly identify the causes of desertification and make planning for combating desertification at aimag and soum levels.

23

Development of Nalaikh District environmental strategic plan (231) Project objective: Elaborate a long term strategy plan to protect the environment of the Nalaikh district in conjunction with the economical and social development Executing agency: Research team Contact address: Mr. Sengee Ts, nature.ts@gmail, 99173560 Project area: Nalaikh District, Ulaanbaatar Budget: $ 8,800

Project activities: o Conduct comprehensive study on socio-economy and environment including

biodiversity conservation in the Nalaikh District territory o Select sampling points for air, water and soil pollution in industrial areas with high pollution

potential of the district and make laboratory analisys for identifying negetavely impacts caused by industry to the environment

o Conduct inventory to identify land degradation status of the district caused by various mining and human irresponsible activities and mapping degraded land resources for rehabilitation purposes

o Inventory of pasture resources and agricultural areas for establishing carrying capacity of pasture and make recommendations

o Based on data and its analysis, elaborate a draft environmental strategy of the Nalaikh District o Organize public discussion meeting inviting all stakeholders, including citizens, decision makers,

industry representatives and NGOs for review and comment to the draft strategy o Finalize the draft strategy, incorporating public comments and submit to the distrcit government

for its review, adoption and implementation

Project outputs:

o The studies on socio-economy and environmental status of the district have been conducted with involvement of experts

o Inventory of economic entities and industry has been made with emphasis on pollution level on soil, water and air; impact to vegetation cover, water supply, status of sewage facilites. Total 82 industrial sites have been covered within this inventory and follow up action plans have been written

o Biodiversity conservation status of the district is identified through survey among citizens, review of existing materials and through interview of the Gorkhi-Terelj national park staff and tourist camp staffs located in the district territory

o Based on information provided by local inhabitants on potential pollution sites, 12 entities have been chosen for sampling of soil and water and level of pollution has been identified through laboratory analysis

o Air sampling was taken at 8 points, in around of entities with high pollution emission such as coal mining site, glass production and steel plant

o 1 : 100,000 scale map is produced, which recorded via GPS the locations of mining industries and spatial distribution of degraded and abandoned lands due to various mining activities

Project impact: The project team has developed the Nalaikh District Environmental Strategy Action Plan and wih recommendations addressed to the district departments to implement the strategy. The projet team has identified several potential sourses of financing the environmental program within the District. That includes improving effectiveness of collection of revenues from entities located in the park administration areas on land use and water use, as well from sand, gravel and coal mining companies on natural resource extractions. Adoption of the Environmental Strategy Plan via Local Citizen Representative Meeting, which just newly formed, is the next step to make this document official. The monitoring team has met several times with the project staff and provided advices consequently to make the document very useful for local environmental improvement

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Development Dariganga National Park management plan (72)

Project objective: to develop Management plan of Dariganga National Park (NP) Executing agency:

Contact address: Mr. Tsanjid D, odon10@yahoo.com, 96663997 Project area: Dariganga, Sukhbaatar Budget: $ 8,000 Project activities:

o Gather baseline and existing data, publications related to Dariganga NP and review the collected materials

o Determine threats, gaps and future actions on National park territories through involvement of Park staff and local authorities and local citizens.

o Develop MP contents and produce first draft based on research outputs o Public discussion of the first draft by all stakeholders, incorporate comments and submit to

MNE for approval and further enforcement o Develop brief of MP and translate in to English, publish in Mongolian and English and

distribute it especially to donor and international project. Project outputs:

o Baseline data collection on Dariganga NP and review of existing studies and analysis have been done

o Field survey to determine main and potential threats, and identify the gaps in park management have been carried out by the project team and interview of local individual herders as well meeting with local citizens (30 persons) have been organized in 8-11 May. Through the meeting all the threats, weakness, potentials have been identified and prioritized for futher actions within the draft management plan

o 5 year plan to eliminate barriers in PM is been developed including indentification of financing sources for implementation of proposed activities

o Final discussion for review and comments on the draft management plan has been organized among all stakeholders, including decision makers at ministry level

o The final draft management plan has been produced and submitted to the Protected Areas Department for approval and enforcement.

Comment: The monitoring team has visited Dariganga national park on 29-30 July during Altan ovoo ceremony celebration. Park director and local governor have been invited to discuss about the management plan and its progress. Local authorities were very positive on the results of ongoing project. The monitoring team, which included Dr. Dagvadorj, director of information, evaluation and monitoring division of MNE, has provided advices on further actions to make the park management plan as a model for further replication by other park management administration. In the middle of project implementation, we stroke with the bad news that Mr. Tsanjid, project manager has passed away due to illness. This was much unexpected situation. Nevethless, the project team has expressed strong willingness to complete the project activity. Monitoring committee has decided to transfer project management to Ms. Odonchimeg, team member upon recieivng project status report and relevant supporting materials on project progress. To date, the draft management plan is developed and submitted successfully, despite barriers and it is being reviewed by the relevant authority.

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Integrated planning of environmental protection and restoration at the mining deposit area (130)

Project objective: sam as title Executing agency: Research team Contact address: Mrs. Saran, head of NGO “Blue planet” Project area: Zaamar soum, Tuv aimag Budget: $ 15,415

Project activities: o Identify how the gold mining entities have been influenced the status of environment in

Zaamar soum of Tuv aimag; o Take sampling measurements from air, water and soil for establishing environmental pollution

level; o Identification of locations and sizes of abandoned mining areas by license owners that were left

not rehabilitated after mining operation for reminding to former owners on accountability for rehabilitation;

o Development of a training manual for local government staffs on use of environmental protection plans and monitoring plans contained within the Detailed EIA report;

o Disseminate information on the status of environment in Zaamar area to all NGOs on actions necessary for protection of the environment in this area;

Project results:

o Status on disturbed land by intensive mining have been documented using various sources of information

o Air, water soil sampling from 40 points with high pollution potential in Zaamar area was taken to determine current pollution level by the mining activities

o Inventory of abandoned and unrehabilitated mining sites have been fixed using survey instruments and list of companies responsible for those abandoned mining sites. The soum authority has been provided with this information for taking actions on rehabilitation of these areas, disturbed by mining activities.

o Distribution materials have been prepared as reference for soum level environmental inspectors Project impacts: Monitoring team has visited the Zaamar area upon reviewing the progress report. The soum government was well aware about the project acitivity. They were very happy with inventory results on abandoned mining, because majority of mining sites in Zaamar soum is unrehabilitated and this info provides a good starting point for stricter actions towards such unlawful action of private mining companies.

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WATER QUALITY, RESOURCE PROTECTION

Protection of spring water sources (158) Project objective: to provide protection of 8 spring water sources in various locations throughout Eastern Aimag Executing agency: NGO Eastern River Contact address: Project area: Dornod aimag Budget: $ 15,000 Disbursement to date:$4,580

Project activities: 1. Organized preparatory work for implementation of the project.

o Project team training o Agree on project workplan, monitoring, assessment method, timing and schedule o Prepare fencing material for 8 springs and people to be involved Duh, Onhoodoi springs that

provides water to the UIz river (Bayandun sum), Baruun Jaraahai, Zuun Jaraahai (Dashbalbar sum). Huurai am, soum's spring (Sergelen soum. Bayan bulag (Zagaan-Ovoo soum) by planting the local trees surrounding the area.

o Herders’ community formed with herders to be involved and continue the project. o Organize training at the bag of soums that selected for implementation of the project

2. Organized herders’ community training. o Community structure, rule and field of activity o Ecological education o While protecting get benefit from nature o Water protection and restoration activities o Ways to continue the project (sustainability)

3. Formed herders’ communities. o Totally 7 herders’ communities to be formed (2 in BayanDun, 1 in each Dashbalbar,

Chuluunkhoroot, Bayan-uul, Sergelen, Tsagaan- v soums). o The communities will have responsibilities to fence and protect spring source, plant trees,

restore and continue the project activities. 4. Organize fencing and tree planting activities for protection of spring sources. o 120 herders from 40 families and 30 children will be involved in this

program and we'll help to increase their knowledge about the ecology. o 18,072 people in 6 soums and 2430 herders will be benefited from this project

Comment:This is the only project, which failed to reach its objectives. With first tranche on June 2008, the project staff has not communicated with us for long time. After many requests, the project submitted mid-term report on September and additional monitoring trip to the project sites discovered that reported activities did not match with the actual activities on the ground and part of money has been utilized not for the purposes. We are now communicating with the local government and project staff to return the money back, as it is stated in the tri-partitie agreement between the Eastern River Movement NGO, OSF and MNET. The project acitivity has started late in June. The reason of starting late was due to restructuring its originally planned activity with strong advice from the monitoring committee to cancel planned cutting trees for making fences to protect spring. Instead, we suggested using recycled bottle materials as columns for fences. Unfortunately, the project team ignored our advice and did some activities and reported wrongly. As consequence, it resulted in halting the project agreement.

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De-fluoridization of drinking water (183) Project objective: To reduce amount of hardness and fluorine contaminant in drinking water of Sukhbaatar soum to 1-1.5 mg/l and thus, reduce the risk of fluorine dieases by 50%. Executing agency: NGO ”Society of Medical Geography” Contact address: Mr. Dorj D, Sukhbaatar2007@yahoo.com, Phone: 99243949 Project area: Sukhbaatar soum, Sukhbaatar aimag Budget: $ 9770 Disbursement to date:$7,470

Project activities: o To study on preparation of adsorbent from raw materials available in Mongolia to make filter

from it for capturing hardness and fluorine contamination in drinking water. o To investigate the purification of drinking water by obtained adsorbent. o To determine the fluorine contaminant of drinking water and the disease incidences due to

exccesive fluoride content among children in Sukhbaatar soum o To organize traning and public awareness activity among inhabitants of the soum based on the findings

of project results, o To investigate the apparatus to locate of adsorbent in deep water wells.

Project outputs:

Sukhbaatar soum inabitants use drinking water, which contain highest concentration of fluorine at national level (2.0-3.55 mg/l of fluorine compared to national standard of 0.7- 1.0 mg/l) and therefore many children in this soum suffer with fluorine diseases. The project team has experimented bone char filter made from locally available livestock bone for filtering the drinking water to reduce the fluorine content and distribute to households with small children to reduce the risk of fluorine incidents. The outputs are:

o Experiment to prepare a filter with burnt animal bone and reduce fluorine content in the drinking water was successful and laboratory analysis of sampled drinking water that used the filters and mixing of various spring sources showed considerable reduction (from 2.0-3.55 mg/l to 1.21- 1.6 mg/l) of fluorine concentration in sampled drinking water by the lab analysis. The experiment finds that bone char need to be prepared with below 5000C of temperature. Otherwise, softness of water is decreased and phosphate ion content is increased with increased temperature.

o Consequently, a local simple technology has been devised to produce bone char filter for reduction of fluoride in the drinking water

o Visited 100 households with small children to survey status of fluorine illness among children in this soum and 261 children in Baruun Urt soum (Sukhbaatar aimag center). Doctoral survey comfirmed the national finding of high risk of fluorine contamination among children in this soum. 10.3% of children have suffered from excess of fluoride

o Water tanks with fluorine filter have been handed in to 25 households in Sukhbaatar soum that will last 77 days in account that if household uses 20 liter of drinking water a day.

o Measured fluoride content in urine of man, which showed direct correlation of fluoride between intake volume and urine.

Impacts: Monitoring team has visited the area and met with project team, soum authority, doctors and citizens to share their views on project experiments and results. The results of experiments have shown encouraging outputs that reduced the fluorine content. The project team has been cooperating with “Bolor us” (Crystal water in English) Co Ltd. to produce fluorine filters. The project made good success in bone char filter technology is to continue working to make technology and products available locally for decreasing the high concentration of fluorine in the drinking water.

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Protection of spring source of nationally famous place "Mother Rock" (134)

Project objective: to protect spring sources and surrounding areas from being degraded by high number of visitors of “Mother Rock” and maintain the area through tree planting and recovering vegetation cover. Executing agency: NGO “Mongolian Horsemen Association” Contact address: Mr. Mendsaihan Ts, head of the Association. Email: kiss_munhoo@yahoo.com, phone: 96653433 Project area: Eej had area close to Sergelen soum, Tuv aimag Budget: $ 6,120 Disbursement to date:$5,320

Project activities: o Planting of tree species: 750 willow and aspen seedling each and 1000 seabucktorn seedlings

and other fruit trees in surrounding areas of the spring source. o Make a fence in the area of tree plantation with support of local communities o Organize training among local commuities on tree and fruit tree planting and vegetable

growing to support their livelihood and redirect their income generation on tree planting and maintenance

Project results:

The monitoring team, which included tree nursery expert of MNE, has visited the area to assess the project progress on 25 June. 1800 seedlings of various tree species have been planted in the area surrounded by fence. Watering was provided from deep well through a hose. Local people have been engaged in the project activities. Although technical circumstances have been created in this tree planting area, actual growing rate of planted seedling were quite disappointing: less than 10 % survival rate of total plants at the date of monitoring. Team expert has investigated the problem of growth throughout the plantation site and concluded that tree planting was done unprofessionally: planting started too late from required time in this region, seedlings were kept dry before planting and holes for planting were prepared long before actual plantation and therefore lost all humidity and lastly, planting were done by not experienced people. The monitoring team strongly adviced to the project team to re-plant seedling in fall and strictly follow the planting procedure set by the tree nursery expert. The monitoring team made follow up visit in mid September and observed that some additional seedling was taken. However, we can not estimate growth for other plants, which planted in past spring. The monitoring team decided to continue monitoring until next spring and then we will be able to assess objectively the project planting results.

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THEME: PROTECTION OF SOIL AND VEGETATION COVER AND DESERTIFICATION IMPACT MITIGATION

Utilization of straw and poultry bio-organic wastes to restore soil fertility and vegetation cover (224) Project objective: Experimentation for soil stabilization and fertilization using prepared bio-organic wastes as fertilizer and straw-blanket to support actions for land rehabilitation and soil protection Executing agency: Research team of the Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences Contact address: Batjargal Ch, Team leader, Email: batjargal@yahoo.com, Phone: 361949 Project area: Songino area, Ulaanbaatar Budget: $10,000 Project activities:

o Study to identify straw resources, accumulated in crop area around UB and plumage resource in Songino poultry area, which will be used for making fertilizers

o Site selection and preparation for experimentation o Ordering and transporting straw-blankets from international sources to learn on making it on

internal markets and replicate to other areas, where acute need of such a practical tool to rehabilitate eroded and unfertile land

o Make an experiment on straw-blanket for soil stabilization and fertilization using various humidity regimes

o Make a compost using straw waste and bio-organic wastes o Make a experiment on using prepared compost for covering bare soil for re-vegetating o Prepare report on the results of experimentations and make recommend