The Government yesterday approved the first stage of the anti-desertification program. Minister for Nature, Environment and Tourism L.Gansukh was asked to prepare the implementation schedule and Minister for Finance S.Bayartsogt, L.Gansukh, and other related officials were asked to include the funds for the program in the state budget each year. They will also coordinate work on the projects taken up jointly with foreign countries with aid and loans from international organizations.

Ninety percent of the total pasture lands in Mongolia is estimated to be vulnerable to desertification. Five percent of the total is considered extremely vulnerable, 18 percent very vulnerable, 26 percent average and 23 percent with low vulnerability rate. In some regions, 72 percent of the landscape is already feeling the impact of desertification.

UvsLake valley, Valley of Great Lakes, Dungobi and Dornogobi provinces are considered to be dry and desert areas.