Gobi desert protected areas in the Umnugovi Aimag, Mongolia

Abstract

The article discusses the current state of specially protected natural areas in Umnugovi aimag. The protected areas main feature is the representation of special landscapes - Gobi’ true deserts and desert steppe. The choice of the most dynamically developing aimag in Mongolia for analysis is due to its inaccessibility, small population, difficult living conditions and economic activity. The study used data from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia and the Umnugovi aimag administration, information from the directorates of protected areas, and the results of observations during the 2023-2025 expedition. Attention is drawn to the problems of the wild animals migrations implementation. Recommendations are given on national level protected areas expansion, increasing the status of soum’s level protected areas and creating new protected areas.