National Developments in Soil Protection in Mongolia

Abstract

Mongolia has taken legislative and strategic steps to improve the management of its soil resources. The soils of Mongolia are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and anthropogenic impact. Today over half the population lives in urban areas but there is increasing pressure on the soil resources of both urban and rural areas. In 2012 Mongolia introduced the Law for Soil Protection and Prevention of Desertification. This Law along with a number of related laws provides the legal framework to protect Mongolia's soil resources. It is argued that the introduction of a Pastureland Law is also required to achieve sustainable management of the vast pastoral land resource of Mongolia, which occupies 70% of the country. Together, these laws provide part of the platform needed by Mongolia to help satisfy Goals 13 and 15 of the Sustainable Development Gaols agreed by the countries at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in 2015.