The inception of the Korea-Mongolia Greenbelt Plantation Project traces back to 2006, marked by the formalization of forestry cooperation between the Korea Forest Service, the nation's forest agency, and Mongolia's Ministry of Environment and Tourism through a memorandum of understanding. This strategic alliance aimed to address yellow dust pollution and combat desertification in Mongolia, setting the stage for a transformative environmental initiative.
Mongolia grapples with escalating desertification exacerbated by human activities like overgrazing and the impacts of climate change. The gradual depletion of forested areas has led to a landscape transition from lush forests to grasslands and further to desert expanses. The disappearance of pastures has accelerated sand movement, triggering yellow dust storms and hastening the desertification process, necessitating urgent policy interventions to mitigate environmental degradation.
In response to these challenges, Mongolia launched a greenbelt program in 2005 with the vision of establishing a vast forest barrier to shield against wind erosion between the Gobi Desert and grassland regions, envisioning a %1.6 increase in Mongolia's forest cover to counter desertification and promote ecological balance.
The ambitious initiative demanded significant financial and technical investments, with an estimated cost of $3 billion, posing challenges in securing suitable partners despite efforts to mobilize resources from central and local government budgets, foreign aid, and international loans. South Korea, with a longstanding history of diplomatic ties with Mongolia since 1990 and a forestry cooperation agreement signed in 1998, emerged as a pivotal collaborator, committing to a comprehensive three-phase engagement in the greenbelt project.
The reforestation phase of the Korea-Mongolia Greenbelt Plantation Project commenced in Lun, Mongolia, in 2008, marking a significant milestone in the joint endeavor. Korean experts played a pivotal role in implementing large-scale reforestation techniques in Mongolia, where such expertise was previously limited. Key reforestation sites including Lun Som in Tuv province, Dalanzadgad in Umnugobi province, and Bayanzag witnessed the planting of approximately 838,000 trees across 3,046 hectares, encompassing 23 tree species like saxaul and Ulmus pumila. The establishment of nurseries spanning 47 hectares at these sites further bolstered the reforestation efforts, emphasizing sustainable practices and fostering environmental stewardship among local communities.
The educational component of the project was equally vital, with over 8,000 Mongolians trained in reforestation techniques to ensure the longevity and success of the greenbelt project. The decade-long training program and collaborative research initiatives underscored the critical role of reforestation in combating desertification, raising awareness on the significance of preserving natural ecosystems. Subsequently, the Mongolian government designated Arbor Days on the second Saturdays of May and October, alongside legislative revisions to strengthen forest conservation efforts, reflecting a commitment to sustainable environmental practices and ecosystem restoration.
