The Ministry of Nature, Environment and Tourism has proposed adding the Burkhan Khaldun and Daruuriin national reserves to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Burkhan Khaldun reserve includes a mountain where Chinggis Khaan is said to have been born. Local residents worship the mountain. It has been protected by the state since 1992.

The Daguur reserve covers three soums in Dornod aimag and the state of Chita in Russia. The reserve has been protected by a trilateral agreement among Mongolia, Russia, and China since 1994. A commission established by the President has left for Chita, where a meeting of UNESCO is taking place. The commission will formally petition to have the two reserves added to the World Heritage List. A complete application will be sent to UNESCO’s listing committee by September 30. A final decision is expected by 2014.