Within the framework of Boroo Gold Company’s Biodiversity Offset Program, since 2018, activities of the Dorgont Pasture Ecosystem and Bortolgoi Shelterbelt Forest Ecosystem offset projects have been successfully implemented. Within the program:

First: In order to establish a shelterbelt forest on abandoned and degraded cropland in Bortolgoi, 24 hectares were planted with five tree species. This work is being carried out in cooperation with the Ecology Center NGO under the Darkhan School of Agroecology and Business, employing eight local contracted workers.

Second: Under the Dorgont Pasture Ecosystem offset project, the Dorgont Pasture User Group was established. Depending on location and livestock type, it has been divided into three groups: Ereenii Nuruu, Bayangol, and 179th railway stop. Through organizing herders who share and use common pastures, they are working to rotate and rest grazing areas, balance pasture loads, and thereby maintain the quality and productivity of pastures – the foundation of livestock production – in a sustainable way. These activities also aim to improve herders’ livelihoods. In summary:

By implementing small projects together as groups and households to responsibly use and improve their pastures – the basis of livestock production – herders have come to understand the importance of rotational grazing, hayland care, and increasing feed supply. This has led to positive changes in attitudes toward investing in and protecting pastures.

By freeing winter and spring pastures throughout the growing season, lush pasture areas have doubled. Pastures that were previously in degradation class 4 – meaning vegetation was lost, topsoil eroded, and ecosystem functions partly lost – have now improved and shifted into the categories of lightly and moderately degraded pasture.

With the establishment of a Livestock Risk Fund, herders now have financial resources to improve pasture infrastructure, especially to build up fodder reserves.

By cooperating to grow green fodder and prepare silage from abundant local plants such as nettle and reed canary grass, herder households are now able to reduce the cost of purchasing feed – which accounts for more than 30% of annual household expenses.

One of the success stories of Dorgont PUG herders in increasing household income without increasing livestock numbers or grazing pressure is the start of the “Flying Herd” beekeeping project. Bayangol soum, being near Boroo’s mine reclamation area, benefits from the reclaimed land’s vegetation, which includes many nectar plants flowering throughout the growing season – offering significant advantages for beekeeping.

Beekeeping not only provides herder households with additional economic benefits but also improves pollination of local vegetation, which research has shown can increase productivity by up to 30%.

By establishing beekeeping on Boroo’s reclaimed land, the ecosystem’s stability, productivity, and biodiversity are being enhanced, helping restore its natural state while simultaneously increasing herder incomes – bringing multiple important benefits.

To support the balance of the pasture ecosystem and test new income sources for herder households, the “Flying Herd” beekeeping project has been successfully launched. Based on growing herder interest, its scope will be further expanded in the future.