Ulaanbaatar, July 26, 2023 /MONTSAME/. Researchers from Mongolia and China will jointly establish a geographical information system for the habitat of the Mazaalai (Gobi Bear) in the Great Gobi Strictly Prohibited Area.

N. Baatartsogt, Head of the Department of Policy and Regulation of Specially Protected Areas of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, exchanged views on this matter while receiving a team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Forestry.

During the meeting, the Parties discussed cooperation to assess the quality of the Mazaalai's habitat, determine the status of the population of edible plants, and conduct research on biodiversity monitoring.

The team of Chinese researchers is working in our country within the framework of the agreement between the Governments of the two countries on the "Technical Assistance in the Protection of Gobi Bears" project signed in 2018.

In addition, during the official visit of the Prime Minister of Mongolia L. Oyun-Erdene to China, Minister of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia B. Bat-Erdene and Minister of Commerce of China Wang Wentao signed the "Additional Agreement on the Implementation of Technical Assistance Project in the Field of Protection of Mongolian Gobi Mazaalai."

As a result of this Additional Agreement, the term of the previous agreement signed in 2018 has been duly extended. Consequently, this extension will facilitate the conduct of more extensive and all-encompassing research, with the primary focus on enhancing its habitat, bolstering its population, and safeguarding the Mazaalai.