Khar Us Lake
General information
Situated in the expansive western expanse of Mongolia, Khar Us Lake Biosphere Reserve occupies a vast depression within the Great Lake basin spanning 14 153 km² in the Khovd Province. Its diverse ecosystems encompass aquatic realms, deserts, high mountain terrain and steppe landscapes, each contributing to the region's ecological richness.
The biosphere reserve is not only a haven for rare and endangered species but also for cultural heritage, as it is home to diverse ethnic groups whose livelihoods revolve around a sustainable form of animal husbandry.
Efforts are under way to develop sustainable ecotourism, aligning with Khovd Province's focus on heritage-based tourism for economic diversification. Local herders have formed community-based organisations to safeguard their pasturelands and wildlife, highlighting their dedication to conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2024
Country
Mongolia
Total population
7141
Area
Surface
1,415,262.00 ha
Total terresterial area
1,415,262.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: 47.9931222 - Longitude: 92.61123333
Ecological Characteristics
The site covers 1,415,262ha of the area within Khovd province, and includes several primary ecosystems such as aquatic environments, deserts, high mountain ecosystems, human created areas, and patch ecosystems. The steppe ecosystem comprises 59percent of the whole territory of the proposed biosphere reserve.
The site encompasses the Mankhan, Buyant, Myangad, Chandmani and Durgun soums of Khovd aimag (province) and Durvuljin soum (county) of Zawkhan aimag (province). Each area has a different protection regime that promotes nature conservation and the livelihoods and sustainable development of local communities, as mandated by Mongolian national legislation covering the environment, lakes, special protected areas and transition areas.
Socio-Economics Characteristics
The biosphere reserve is home to a variety of ethnic groups. The primary economic livelihood of the region revolves around animal husbandry, with a significant focus on sustainable herding practices.
The cultural diversity within the site provides a foundation for the development of sustainable ecotourism in the basin, which can serve as an example of how Mongolia can diversify its economy away from the extraction sector by developing tourism.