MONGOLIA TO SIGN “SOURCES OF AMUR” AGREEMENT

Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ A Mongolia and Russia agreement on trans-boundary reservation "Sources of Amur" was recently signed by the Russian PM D.Medvedev, reports int.rgo.ru--a website of Russian Geographical Society on March 18. Draft of the document was prepared by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of Russia. The agreement will come into effect on the date of signature by the Mongolian part. New specially protected natural site includes national park "Onon-Balj" of Mongolia, along with state nature biosphere reserve "Sokhondinsky" in Russia’s Zabaykalsky Krai. Along the territory of the Sokhondinsky nature reserve, off from Mongolia, lies the national park “Onon-Balj”. Another Mongolian strictly protected area--“Khan Khentii”--neighbors with recently established national park “Chikoy” in Zabaykalsky Krai of Russia. That way, first two strictly protected areas preserve sources of the Amur River and the latter two preserve sources of rivers feeding Lake Baikal. Since the earliest times, friendly peoples and unique animal species--the snow leopard, the white-naped crane, the bustard, the taimen, the Amur sturgeon and many more--have inhabited this land. Ecologists note that the two countries’ decision of joint protection of natural riches is rational and well-timed. Minister of nature resources and ecology of Russia Donskoy said:"We can provide biological and landscape preservation of the Southern Transbaikal in the sources of the Amur River only by joining together efforts of the two countries. Establishment of the trans-boundary reservation 'Sources of Amur' is an effective measure targeted towards completing the task”.