Tsagaan Suvarga to be taken under state protection

Members of the working group responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Law on Special Protected Areas and developing recommendations worked at sites in person earlier this week.

It was reported that the Tsagaan Suvarga or the White Stupa in Dundgovi Province will be taken under special state protection, according to the Media and Public Relations Department of Parliament on April 11.

Tsagaan Suvarga is a steep cliff in Ulziit soum of Dundgovi Province, located 156 kilometers south of the province center, northwest of Del Uul area in Ulziit soum. It can be seen from the Gobi Desert. The muddy sediments of the ancient seabed have been eroded over time to form beaches, which, from a distance, looks like a shining stupa.

The province currently has four state protected areas, covering 391,000 hectares. In 2012, Ikh Gazar Chuluu was classified as a national park while the remaining three were later classified as nature reserves.

Dundgovi Province’s Council submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to take a total of 336,490 hectares of land under special state protection to preserve Del, Khunjil Uul and Tsagaan Suvarga as unique natural formations and historical and cultural sites. However, the Ministry of Culture proposed to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to take Tsagaan Suvarga under special protection as a national park instead. Local officials also agree that the government should classify it as a national park to put it under state protection and establish a protected area administration for it.

This year, the ministry plans to build camps at 12 locations to support tourism, one of which will be built next to Tsagaan Suvarga. The ministry plans to pay attention to waste and soil pollution while promoting tourism.

An average of 50,000 tourists visit Tsagaan Suvarga each year (prior to COVID-19). About 7,000 domestic tourists toured the site in 2020 and about 15,000 in 2021. As it is 85 kilometers from Ulziit soum, it is not possible to clean the bins regularly and so, the authorities are reminding tourists not to litter and if possible, take their garbage with them and throw them away at soum or provincial centers.

Member of Parliament G.Munkhtsetseg asked to compile an opinion on the lands to be taken under special state protection and submit it to the parliamentary working group. She stressed that the report should cover issues such as policies to support herder households, otor zones and the carrying capacity of pastures in line with certain restrictions on protected areas. She also called for the non-issuance of mineral licenses in protected areas, the rationalization of environmental management, and the cooperation of local authorities and professional organizations in managing these issues.