Second Eco-Tourism Project for Mongolia's National Parks starts
The Government of Mongolia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) wrapped up one successful eco-tourism project
The Government of Mongolia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) wrapped up one successful eco-tourism project and embarked on a second project aimed to help Mongolia benefit from a boom in domestic and overseas tourists while safeguarding the environment. The Integrated Livelihoods Improvement and Sustainable Tourism in Khuvsgul Lake National Park Project, funded with a $3 million grant from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, helped build local tourism activities, improve livestock and pasture management, and strengthen waste management around Khuvsgul Lake. The $38 million in loans under the Sustainable Tourism Development Project will be used to build on the activities at Khuvsgul Lake and develop similar initiatives in Onon-Balj National Park, the birthplace of revered Mongolian leader Chinggis Khaan. This project marks the first loan in Mongolia to focus on tourism and protected area management and will serve as a model for economically inclusive development and conservation. Mongolia’s small tourism sector is growing rapidly. In 2017, tourism generated $1.2 billion in earnings and employed 121,500 people. But by 2028, it is forecast to generate $2.1 billion and provide 149,000 jobs. Khuvsgul National Park and Onon-Balj National Park are eco-tourism priorities for the government, but as major sources of biodiversity, they need to be managed carefully.
Views: 940
Tweet