Ecological catastrophe - an entire country is turning into a desert

Catastrophic soil degradation has affected more than three quarters of Mongolia's territory due to the double impact of climate change and a sharp increase in livestock numbers.

As reported by mk.ru, this was stated by the director of the Institute of Geography and Geoecology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Avirmediin Dashtseren, at an open discussion dedicated to the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

The scientist emphasized that the climate crisis has become a key factor in the environmental disaster. Over the past six decades, the rate of warming in Mongolia has exceeded global indicators threefold. This has led to serious changes in precipitation patterns, more frequent droughts, and depletion of water resources in a region known for its harsh climate.

According to Dashtseren, the second destructive factor was the almost threefold increase in the number of domestic livestock compared to the socialist period. It is excessive grazing that delivers the most devastating blow to the vulnerable ecosystems of the Mongolian steppes, causing soil erosion and reducing biodiversity.

"Additional negative impact comes from active road construction and the development of mineral deposits," the expert noted. At the same time, the export of natural resources, primarily coal, gold, copper, uranium, and silver, forms the basis of the country's state budget, creating a complex economic dilemma.

Mongolia is one of the few countries in the world where traditional nomadic cattle breeding has been preserved from ancient times almost unchanged. This sector provides 11.6% of the state's GDP and is a key economic sector on par with the mining industry. However, the environmental cost of such an economic model is becoming increasingly evident.

Statistics show a dramatic increase in livestock numbers: by the end of 2024, Mongolia's 3.5 million inhabitants will have 57.6 million head of livestock. According to expert forecasts, by autumn 2025, the number of animals may reach a record 80.6 million, which will create an unprecedented burden on already depleted pastures.