Event: Regional Flyway Initiative Site Studies
Mongolia: Valley of Lakes
The Valley of Lakes is a cluster of shallow saline lakes located between the Khangai and Gobi Altai mountain ranges in southern Mongolia, covering approximately 149,000 hectares across Bayankhongor and Övörkhangai aimags. The site includes Boon Tsagaan, Orog, and Taatsiin Tsagaan lakes within a broad intermontane depression, with seasonal inflows creating dynamic wetland habitats such as freshwater pools, marshes, and salt pans within an arid steppe landscape. 
 
The site supports globally significant populations of migratory waterbirds, including Swan Goose and Dalmatian Pelican, and is one of the most important wetland systems in southern Mongolia. It provides key ecosystem services such as climate regulation, grazing resources, and cultural values. Increasing pressures from overgrazing and climate change are driving lake shrinkage, land degradation, and desertification.
 

RFI Site Snapshot

City Municipality Province Region
Baatsagaan and Bogd soums, Bayankhongor aimag
Baruunbayan Ulaan soum, Övörkhangai aimag
Area Size
149,000 ha
Geographical Coordinates
45.3° N, 100.12° E
Conservation Designation
Ramsar Site
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas
Key Habitats and Biomes
Saline lakes
Seasonal wetlands and marshes
Desert steppe and alpine desert
Key Ecosystem Services and Values
Provisioning: freshwater, grazing resources
Regulating: climate regulation, flood regulation
Cultural: tourism, recreation
Global Climate Regulation: Estimated Carbon Storage and Sequestration Not assessed / not identified as a key service
EAAF Species Globally significant congregations:
Mute Swan Cygnus olor (LC)
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus (LC)
Greylag Goose Anser anser (LC)
Swan Goose Anser cygnoides (EN)
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna (LC)
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea (LC)
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo (LC)
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus (NT)

Small numbers: 
Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri (CR)
White headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala (EN)
Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis (EN)
 Notable Biodiversity Pallas’s Fish eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus (EN)
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (EN)
Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis (EN)
Goitered Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa (VU)
Site Management
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
Bayankhongor and Övörkhangai aimag governments
River Basin Authorities
Key Drivers of Change
Overgrazing and land degradation
Climate change and desertification
Water extraction and hydrological change
Mining and energy development
Opportunities for RFI Interventions
Strengthening site management and zonation; Grazing management and rangeland restoration; Biodiversity monitoring and research
Community engagement and awareness; Sustainable tourism development
Investment Range Over Time Period
$15,950,000 over five years

Disclaimer

The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Topics

  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
  • Climate Change
  • Environment
  • Regional Cooperation and Integration