The MPRP and an NGO, Green Canal, have been working together
for the past two months on a project called Khatan Tuul and Time to raise
public awareness of the threat to the Tuul river. As part of the project, a
press conference was held yesterday on the bank of the river, where Mayor
G.Munkhbayar announced that the city will pay for measures to save the river
and the Civil Representatives’ Assembly will be asked to include the expenses
in the budget.

The next stage of the project will be preparation of a draft
law to be approved by Parliament. At least 200,000 residents of Ulaanbaatar
will be asked to sign an appeal for this. Expressing his support for the
proposal, Ch.Bor, a resident of Bayanzurkh district, said, “The Constitution
says water is common property and is under Government protection. This has to
be enforced and the river saved from death by pollution.”

Our journalist talked to Z.Batbayar, vice Chairman of the Water Board, on the
issue.

What is the Water Board’s policy on
river pollution?

We are responsible for the amount and quality of the water in all rivers.
The Tuul is of special importance as it is the main source of drinking water in
Ulaanbaatar. We need support of the Government and the people for three things
we wish to do on a priority basis. Firstly, we plan to build a reservoir on the
Tuul to collect rain water, melted snow and the water that flows. This would
cost between USD500 million and USD600 million. Second, we are working on more
stringent laws against polluting the river. Third, we want the present law
prohibiting mining in protected areas to be extended to cover the banks of the
Tuul.

What about the water level in the river
going down?

A main reason for this is that precipitation has given way to sudden
downpours that causes dispersal of water. Present estimates are that
Ulaanbaatar will need approximately 240,000 cubic meters of water by 2030. We
have not seen that much water since 1985, so we must collect more water, and
stop water from being wasted.

In a related development, Col.J.Amgalan, Chief of Internal
Security Affairs, has said policemen are patrolling the river in boats and on
horseback. He urged media support for the program. Since the recent ban on
several polluting measures, such as washing cars by the river, several people
have been handed over to the police for breaking the law.