Khar‑Us Lake is a vast wetland system located in the Great Lakes Depression of western Mongolia, covering approximately 860,000 hectares across Khovd and Zavkhan aimags. The site comprises a complex mosaic of freshwater lakes, marshes, reedbeds, river deltas, and surrounding steppe ecosystems, forming one of the most important inland wetland landscapes in Central Asia. Situated at the intersection of the East Asian Australasian Flyway and the Central Asian Flyway, the site supports internationally significant populations of migratory waterbirds, with at least 27 species regularly exceeding the 1% flyway population threshold. It is particularly notable as the most important breeding site for Dalmatian Pelican within the East Asian Australasian Flyway.

 

The wetlands of Khar‑Us Lake provide essential ecosystem services, including freshwater supply, wild food resources, and regulation of water flow and local climate for surrounding communities. However, the system is under increasing pressure from overgrazing, climate change, invasive species such as muskrat, and planned hydropower development that may alter hydrological connectivity. Degradation of reedbeds and steppe vegetation, alongside declining fisheries and increasing desertification, threatens both biodiversity and local livelihoods. Strengthening protected area management, improving sustainable grazing practices, restoring degraded habitats, and enhancing biodiversity monitoring and community engagement present key opportunities to maintain ecosystem integrity while supporting resilient livelihoods.