Mongolian PM Calls Major Grassland Fire a Serious Issue

Ulaanbaatar (ANTARA) – Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral on Monday (27 October), local time, described a major fire in the grasslands of eastern Mongolia, allegedly sparked by a convoy operated by a Japanese-invested company, as a serious issue.

The fire broke out on 8 October in the core zone of the Numrug Strictly Protected Area in Dornod Province and was fully extinguished on 16 October.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire may have been sparked by a convoy operated by Mobicom, a Mongolian telecommunications company with Japanese investment.

“About 80 per cent of the Numrug Strictly Protected Area was affected by the fire. This is not merely a matter of land being burned. It is a serious loss to Mongolia’s pristine natural environment, rare wildlife and plant species, and the natural heritage we must preserve for future generations,” Uchral said.

“No one should escape accountability for this damage. The investigation must establish who authorised entry into the protected area and for what purpose, who was responsible for fire safety, and what action was taken after the fire broke out. Any issues concerning Mobicom’s operations must also be investigated in accordance with the law and on the basis of evidence,” he stressed.

Uchral also emphasised that the government supports foreign investment, but that support does not exempt investors from their legal obligations or accountability.

“Anyone operating in Mongolia must comply with Mongolian laws and regulations,” he said.

Uchral instructed Environment and Climate Change Minister Tsend Sandag-Ochir to ask relevant experts to assess the condition of the affected land, destroyed vegetation, damaged wildlife habitats and the overall environmental loss, and to draw up a restoration plan.

He also instructed Justice and Home Affairs Minister Ganzorig Temuulen to ensure that officials who failed to perform their duties properly, as required by law, are held accountable.

The Numrug Strictly Protected Area is one of the best-preserved natural ecosystems in eastern Mongolia and is home to diverse wildlife, including rare and endangered species.

According to Mongolia’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the fire burned about 530,000 hectares, including approximately 470,000 hectares within the protected area—equivalent to 79.8 per cent of its total area.

Vehicles and heavy equipment can reach only about 30 per cent of the burned area. A team tasked with reaching the remaining 70 per cent was scheduled to depart Ulaanbaatar by aircraft on Tuesday (27 October).