WORKING GROUP MEETINGS

Working Group Report on Mongolian Plateau Zone
By Mr. Esa Ovaskainen

Introduction
The agenda for the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis Policy Workshop, Vladivostok, Russian Federation, 29-30 August 2001 is provided in the Appendix 1.

Working instructions for the four working groups were prepared during the briefing on 28 August for Wednesday the 29 August and Thursday the 30 August. The instructions are provided in the Appendix 1.

This is the report of the Working Group II-Mongolian Plateau Zone, covering the areas of Dornod Aimag (Mongolia), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (China) and Sukhbaatar Aimag (Mongolia). The number of participants was some 20 persons on average in each working sessing.

Work Mehtod
The Group II managed to complete major part of the assignment regardless of language difficulties. The group work was performed partly in two small groups, a Chinese speaking one and a Mongolian speaking one, and partly in four groups (two Chinese speaking and two Mongolian language-speaking groups).

Cluster Analysis
The review of the results of the cluster analysis of the lead agency was done as brain storming teamwork in two small groups. The teams were provided by the summary of clusters identified by the lead agency and the groups further elaborated to prepare a comprehensive list of problems within each cluster. The results from the small teams were drafted on the screen for comments from the entire group. A number of new problems and two new clusters were identified. The identified additional problems are highlighted in the cluster presentation of Appendix 2. The highlighted findings can be considered to be the Gap-analysis.

According to the briefing discussion the group considered the relevance of use of the GEF clusters as basis for the grouping the environmental concerns. The relevant interconnections between the two systems are presented in Annex4.

Due to the time constraint and language difficulties, it was in some cases difficult to separate environmental problems from causes. In the table the threats and causes are mixed to some extend and further processing and refining of the results may be done later.

Prioritization
An effort was made to reduce the number of priority clusters by ranking the problems in three categories: major importance, minor importance and beyond control. The results of the categorizing are sown in the right hand column of the cluster analysis. It was difficult to categorize any of the items to low importance category without a comprehensive justification. This method did not result to the desired reduction of priority clusters.
Voting Principle
To make the traditional voting by allocation of points to priority options more attractive, the team members made an allocation of an imagined budget to the identified clusters. Marking 6,5,4,3,2 and 1 millions USD to six clusters in priority order.

The budget allocation for the environmental problem clusters was as follows:
Results of Prioritisation Voting
Clusters Total budgetAllocation/votes. Ranking
Degradation of wetlands 59 3
Urbanization impacts 16 7
Tourism and its impact 15 8
Mining industry 57 4
Impacts from agriculture 73 1
Transport networks (road, rail & pipelines) 44 5
Erosion and land degradation 65 2
Forest fires 34 6
Poaching and illegal trading 4 9/10
Exploitation of forests 4 9/10
Conclusion
The clusters can be classified to very high priority, high priority and low priority clusters as follows:
Very high Priority
Clusters Total votes. Ranking
Impacts from agriculture 73 1
Erosion and land degradation 65 2
Degradation of wetlands 59 3
Mining industry 57 4
High Priority
Clusters Total votes. Ranking
Transport networks (road, rail & pipelines) 44 5
Steppe and forest fires 34 6
Low priority
Clusters Total votes. Ranking
Urbanization impacts 16 7
Tourism and its impact 15 8
Poaching and illegal trading 4 9/10
Exploitation of forests 4 9/10
Identification of major constraints
This part of the work was carried out in four small groups. Constraint identification was completed for all essential clusters. The transboundary aspects were focused to an extent in the problem identification, but perhaps not adequately due to time constraints. The social aspects such as community involvement and gender were inadequately focused; poverty issue was covered to some extent. The identified constraints by clusters are listed in Annex 7.

Identification of enabling measures and stakeholders
The identification of enabling measures and stakeholders was carried out in four small groups for the first priority cluster, "Impact from Agriculture" and for a part of part of the second priority cluster, "Erosion and land degradation". The finalization of the second cluster was completed in a small group. The stakeholder identification was not focusing on different stakeholder groups such as administrative, private sector, community, education and research organizations, but was carried out as listing of the most immediate influencers. The results of the work are provided in Annex 8.

Conclusions and Recommendations
Work Method and achievement
The traditional group work methodologies were applied taking into account the language limitations. The Group II managed to complete major part of the assignment.

Cluster Analysis
A number of new problems and two new clusters were identified. The identified additional problems were considered as the Gap-analysis. The relevant interconnections between the GEF and Tumen cluster systems were identified. Further processing, analyzing and refining of the results should be done later.

Prioritisation
Classification of the problems in three categories: major importance, minor importance and beyond control, did not lead to desired the prioritising result.

Allocation of imagined budget for mitigating the identified problems was found to be a good method for prioritizing the clusters. The clusters were classified to four very high priority, two high priority and four low priority clusters. This method could be useful for further prioritization of problems in the Mongolian Plateau Zone and for use in other studies as well.

Identification of major constraints
Constraint identification was completed for all essential clusters. It is felt that the transboundary aspects were not adequately focused in the problem identification, due to time constraints. Also it is felt that the social aspects were inadequately focused; the poverty issue was covered, but community involvement was not covered very deeply, and gender issues were not covered. This part of the work has to be further elaborated and adjusted in the future studies while preparing SAP.

Identification of enabling measures and stakeholders
The identification of enabling measures was covered only for two priority clusters. Further stakeholder identification and analysis should be done with focus on different stakeholder groups such as administrative, private sector, community, gender, education and research organizations.

Final conclusion
The country reports, cluster analysis by the lead agency and the results of this workshop provide a reasonable basis for entering to the preparation of the SAP for the Mongolian Plateau Zone.

Annex 1
The relevant interconnections between the GEF and the Tumen Region systems
Compiled and modified from the results of the cluster review of Annex 4 and the result of the team work table of this annex.
Clusters Loss and modification of ecosystems Pollution of water bodies Fresh water shortage and changes to water regimes Desertification and soil degradation
Degradation of wetlands Climate Change-drought, lack of rainfallForest and steppe fire Changes in Biodiversity/food chain Salinity change Cattle watering, irrigation Shrinking lakes & wetlands due to lowering water tables Water for industry, Population and life stock, Pressure to increase arable land
Urbanization impacts Gazelle habitats disturbed due to Transportation and road network development Diminishing recreational areas Biodiversity lossHuman health Industrial and human waste to water resourcesPollution of water resourcesAir quality SanitationIncrease of solid waste, industrial and domestica Shortage of fresh drinking water Land degradation and soil pollution
Tourism and its impact Construction of infrastructure (hotels restaurants, local transportation) Litter Noise, vehicle exhaust (Impact on natural resources, Damage to historical sites (?))
Mining industry (Economy & job development contrast the environmental issues)Damage to vegetation (EIA prior to mining) Water pollution, toxic elements, from noble metal leaching, Soil pollutionSolid garbage Contributes to water shortage Need for rehabilitation re-vegetation during mining
Impact from paper industry - - - -
Impacts from agriculture Water & soil pollutionDust storm increase in spring time Increase of population density Quality change Pesticides and herbicides, fertilizers Shortage of drinking water Overgrazing and soil degradation Arable abandoned land Soil erosion by water
Transport networks (road, rail & pipelines) Fragmentation of gazelle habitats,Disturbing the migratory routesPressure on natural resourcesChange in vegetation coverWildlife habitats change Water pollution, Oil spills Impact on environment from traffic exhaust and noise. Oil spills - Soil degradation and increase of dust storm Contributes desertificationShortage of pasture land
Exploitation of forests Illegal cutting for domestic purposes - Impacts on aquifer recharge Contributes to desertification
Erosion and land degradation Climate change, drought - Impacts on aquifer recharge Contributes to desertification
Steppe and forest fires (Inadequate information system for fire protection, Low public awarenessNatural reasons)Disturbances of wildlife habitatsChange of vegetable cover and biodiversity composition(Reasons: carelessness, drought and climate change) Increase of carbon, atmospheric emissions Change of Ground water and river flow regime Pasture land restoration
Poaching and illegal trading (Unemployment, low income level,Tradition of hunting,Lack of regulatory system,Low awareness,Lack of information,Over exploitation of living resources). - - -

Annex 2 Constraints by clusters
Clusters Major constraints
Degradation of wetlands Weak enforcement and implementation of environmental laws and regulations Inadequate intersector-al coordinationPublic awareness rising is not developedBilateral cooperation between the two countries is not enough promotedInadequate water resources managementLack of investment funds
Urbanization impacts National and provincial policies, for introduction of foreign investments, reducing the relaxed tax, priority policy for env. ProjectsLack of funding
Tourism and its impact National and provincial policiesRegional cooperationLaws and regulations
Mining industry Skill and awareness, training neededBackward technology, damage investments, modern enviroment friendly technology neededLack of funding and investmentUnsuitable policies
Transport networks (road, rail & pipelines)Erosion and land degradation Funding and investmentSkills and awarenessSectoral management and coordinationLaws and regulations on managing eco system and protective lawsFunding and investmentRegional cooperation is inadequateManagement, coordinate relative sectors, different activities in different countriesLand use management system is inadequateLack of monitoringPoor awareness
Steppe and forest fires Inadequate public awareness of fire protectionEarly warning system missingLack of bilateral cooperationIn Inner Mongolia the situation is good with forests but not in the steppe area
Impacts from agriculture * Inadequate agricultural land management systemShortage of funding and investmentWeak participation of private sectorInadequate institutional coordinationNo monitoring and evaluation of agricultural land productivity

Annex 3
Enabling measures and stakeholders
Identification of major constraints, enabling measures and stakeholders
Cluster Identification of major constraints, enabling measures and stakeholders
1 Impacts from agriculture Inadequate agricultural land management systemMeasuresNeeds a comprehensive study and recommendations for action,Policy level instructions will be needed,Policy decisions including legal systemsRegulate life stock and pasturePoverty reduction to be promotedStakeholdersCentral governmentLocal govt. In Mongolia Environmental. Protection unitChina Many institutions, Local govt generallyLand ownersShortage of funding and investmentMeasuresLocal govt budget adjustments as far as it is possible. Local govt budget inadequate, international investment aid is desperately neededTo establish special foundation for land resource ManagementTo increase income from agricultureTo allocate loans to the farmersTo invest to land owners for applying adequate techniquesStakeholdersDomestic PDB (Planning Development Bureau, China), Domestic FB (Finance Bureau), Domestic BankCentral and local gvmt office and private sectorLand ownersWeak participation of private sectorMeasuresPublicity promotionNeed of policies to support private sectorCoordination of institutional aspects especially those related to private sectorStakeholdersCentral and local governmentMinistry of agricultureNational taxation authorityUnion of private enterprisesInadequate institutional coordinationMeasuresA coordination unit within the govt structure is neededTraining of local government staffMonitoringEnforcement of laws and regulations, inspectorates to be established and strengthenedStakeholdersCentral Gvmt OrganizationState environment Administration/AgencyCommunity levelNo monitoring and evaluation of agricultural land productivityMeasuresStrengthen local capacity for the monitoringConduct relevant studies and investigationsImprove the methodology and tools of monitoringFacilitate local organizations by suitable equipments and develop dissemination of informationStakeholdersMinistry of nature and environmentState environmental administration in ChinaLocal Govt office
2 Erosion and land degradation Funding and investmentMeasuresIncrease fiscal years budget for the reduction of land degradationInvite donors contributionImprove financial mechanisms, incentives in taxation and pricingIntegrate private sector involvementStakeholdersMinistry of Finance and economyTaxation AuthorityRegional bilateral cooperation is inadequateMeasuresInitiate regular bilateral meetingsImplement joint projectsExchange of experiences between the two countriesChange expertsStakeholdersCentral and local Govt organizationsRelevant NGO's local communitiesLand agenciesManage, coordinate relative sectors, different activities in different countriesMeasuresEstablish national committee or authority for the intersectoral coordinationReport to prime ministers office and different ministriesDevelop institutional and economic mechanisms between the sectorsStakeholdersPrime ministers officeNational committee for the sustainable developmentRelevant ministries in ChinaLand use management system is inadequateMeasuresNeeds a comprehensive study and recommendations for action,Policy level instructions will be needed, policy decisions including legal system Regulate life stock and pasture land areaPoverty reduction to be promotedAll kinds of incentives to be promotedStakeholdersCentral government in ChinaLocal land authority. In Mongolia environmental. Protection unitInstitutions, Local govt generallyResearch institutionsLack of monitoringMeasuresInstitutional strengthening and capacity building at local levelTraining and education of local communitiesDevelop implementation networkCreate extension serviceStakeholdersCentral monitoring laboratory at national levelLocal environmental protection unitsNGOCommunitiesPoor awareness, peoples participationMeasuresPrepare realistic communication strategy with such vehicles as mass media, interpersonal communication, relevant institutionsOrganize campaigns and special day to promote community participationTo establish Green schools at local levelDevelop communication and information networkStakeholdersInformation officesLocal govtLocal communitiesNGO'SPrivate sector
3 Degradation of wetlands Weak enforcement and implementation of environmental laws and regulationsInadequate intersectoral coordinationPublic awareness rising is not developedBilateral cooperation between the two countries is not enough promotedInadequate water resources managementLack of investment funds
4 Mining industry Skill and awareness, training neededBackward technology, damage investments, modern environment friendly technology neededLack of funding and investmentUnsuitable policies
5 Transport networks (road, rail & pipelines) Funding and investmentSkills and awarenessSectoral management and coordinationLaws and regulations on managing eco system and protective laws
6 Steppe and forest fires Inadequate public awareness of fire protectionEarly warning system missingLack of bilateral cooperationIn Inner Mongolia the situation is good with forests but not in the steppe area
7 Urbanization impacts National and provincial policies, for introduction of foreign investments, reducing the relaxed tax, priority policy for environmental ProjectsLack of funding
8 Tourism and its impact
9 Poaching and illegal trading
10 Exploitation of forests

Annex 4
The cluster review, findings and the Gap-analysis
+ major impact
- minor
o beyond control
Clusters Problems
Degradation of Wetlands Water for industry,Population and life stock,Pressure to increase arable landSalinity change/food chainShrinking lakes & wetlands due to lowering water tablesClimate Change-drought, lack of rainfallForest and steppe fireCattle watering, irrigationChanges in Biodiversity +++++o+++
Urbanization impacts Gazelle habitatsIndustrial and human waste to water resourcesDiminishing recreational areasBiodiversity lossShortage of fresh drinking waterPollution of water resourcesAir qualitySanitationIncrease of soild waste, industrial and domesticHuman health Land degradation and soil pollutionTransportation and road network development ++-+++-+++++
Tourism and its impact Impact on natural resourcesDamage to historical sitesConstruction of infrastructure (hotels restaurants, local transportation)LitterNoise, vehicle exhaust ---+-
Mining Industry Economy & job development contrast the environmental issues,Water pollution, toxic elements, from noble metal leaching,Need for rehabilitation revegetation during mining.Damage to vegetationSoil pollutionSolid garbageEIA prior to mining +++++++
Transport network Fragmentation of gazelle habitats, water pollution,Oil spillsDisturbing the migratory routesPressure on natural resourcesImpact on environment from traffic exhaust and noise.Soil degradation and increase of dust stormContributes desertificationChange in vegetation coverWildlife habitats and migration routes changeShortage of pasture landOil spills +++++++--+-+
Erosion and land degradation Industrial and human impact,Fertilizers,Agricultural overexploitation of land.Lifestock overgrazingSand storms, sand movementClimate change, drought +++++o
Steppe and forest fires Tourism,Information system for fire protection,Low public awareness,Natural reasonsPasture land restorationIncrease of carbon, atmospheric emissionsDisturbanse of wildlife habitatsChange of vegetable cover and biodiversity compositionChange of Ground water and river flow regimeReasons: carelessness, drought and climate change -++o-+++++
Poaching and illegal trading Unemployment, low income level,Tradition of hunting,Lack of regulatory system,Low awareness,Lack of information,Over exploitation of living resources. ++++
Impacts from agriculture* Overgrazing and soil degradationArable abandoned landSoil erosion by waterQuality change and shortage of drinking waterWater & soil pollutionDust storm increase in spring timeIncrease of population densityPesticides and herbicides, fertilizers ++++++++
Exploitation of forests* Illegal cutting for domestic purposes -

Annex 5
The relevant interconnections between the GEF and the Tumen Region systems
Result of the Team Work
Clusters Loss andmodification of ecosystems Pollution ofwater bodies Fresh watershortage and changes to water regimes Desertification and soil degradation
12. Degradation of wetlands + + + +
13. Urbanization impacts + + + +
14. Tourism and its impact + - - -
15. Mining industry + + + +
16. Impact from paper industry - - - -
17. Impact from agriculture + + + +
18. Transport networks (rods, rail & pipelines) + + - +
19. Exploitation of forests - - +/- +
20. Erosion and land degradation + - + +
21. Steppe and forest fires + - + +
22. Poaching and illegal trading +/- - - -