Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve.
TUV AIMAG MONGOLIA
SIGHTS OF INTEREST IN MONGOLIA
GUN-GALUUT
Argali National Park in Mongolia
Amazingly, Gun-Galuut is the state combined from diversity of ecosystem
although it owns comparatively small area. The harmonized complex of high
mountains, steppes, rivers, lakes and wetlands as well are kept enough as
its original condition. Whoever visiting enjoys to see Gun-Galuut vast
steppe seems to meet the sky, the imposing mountains Baits and Berkh, a home
land of rare creatures, Ikh-Gun and Ayaga lakes, a paradise of birds,
Kherlen, the longest river of Mongolia and Tsengiin Burd wetland, in where
water and wetland birds lay their eggs.
Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve is a local protected area for conservation of
global threatened species. The Nature Reserve (NR) is founded by the
Citizens' Representative Hural (Local Parliament) of Bayandelger county, Tuv
Province in 2003.
Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve comprises of 3 zones: tourism, limited, and core
zones, which are the ecosystem of steppe, rocky mountain, small lakes,
river, streams and wetland, and it is about 20000 hectare.
The advantages of Gun-Galuut is no overcrowd of people mixed with domestic
tourists although it’s located just 130 km from Ulaanbaatar capital city and
easy access of driving (just for 2 hours) make this area to become the most
attractive place for the tourism.
The fauna and flora of the NR haven't been researched properly but currently
63 mammal species, 81 bird species, 3 amphibian species and 38 fish species
are recorded. Most common species are Grey Wolf, Marmot, Souslik, Pika,
Vole, Fox, Corsac, Jerboa and Frog.
There are many nationally and globally threatened species in the NR. For
instance, Argali Wild Mountain Sheep, Siberian White Crane, White-naped
Crane, Hooded Crane, Red Falcon, Black Vulture and Swan Goose are globally
threatened and listed in the IUCN Red List. Also there are nationally
threatened species such as Whooper Swan, Black Stork, Great White Egret,
Bar-Headed Goose, Bearded Vulture and Eurasian Penduline.
GEOGRAPHY
Amazingly, Gun-Galuut's vast and diverse landscape has tarditionally been a
refuge for a rich and unique assemblage of animals, and it's combined from
diversity of ecosystem although it owns comparatively small area. The harmonized
complex of high mountains, steppes, rivers, lakes and wetlands as well are kept
enough as its original state. Whoever visiting enjoys to see Gun-Galuut vast
steppe seems to meet the sky, the imposing mountains Baits and Berkh, a home
land of rare creatures, Ikh-Gun and Ayaga lakes, a paradise of birds, Kherlen,
the longest river of Mongolia and Tsengiin Burd wetland, in where water and
wetland birds lay their eggs.
Mountain Ranges
The area of Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve is elevated averagely 1200 m above sea
level, topped by Mt. Baits and Berkh at the altitude of 1641 and 1631 m
respectively, and are rocky. The area has several terrestrial ecosystems such as
mountains, hills and steppes. Mt. Baits range locates in the center of the area,
and Mt. Berkh locates at the south end of NR like stretching from north-west to
south-east. The both of them has many species of fauna and flora.
The most interesting thing is the Mt. Baits has only one tree Larch. As for
fauna, argali sheep, grey wolf, fox, lynx, manul cat, badger, hare, marmot, mice
and etc.., White gazelles or the Procapra gutturosa often come from the east to
this area. As for birds, Steppe Eagle /Aguile nipalensis/, Golden Eagle /Aguila
chrysaetos/, Saker falcon /Falco cherrug/, Kestrel /falco tinnunculus/, Lesser
Kestrel /Falco naumanni/, Upland Buzzard /Buteo hemilasius/, Long legged buzzard
/Buteo lagopus/, Mongolian lark, Calandra lark, Crested lark, Horned lark,
Thrushes, Pipits, Magpies and Hoopoes, Owls and Tawny-Owls.
Steppes
Gun-galuut Nature Reserve is in the westernmost part of the Great Mongolian
Steppes. In steppe of the NR has Wetland Delberkhii, surroundings of Lake Ikh
Gun and Ayaga at the north of the NR, basins of River Galuut and Kherlen. The
wetland Delberkhii is the main water resource for Lake Ikh Gun and Ayaga, and
other grounwater in Gun-Galuut NR. Also, since its soil fertility, plants, land
characteristics and quality are pretty good, water birds and other
biodiversities like to come here.
Lakes
Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve has numerous lakes and pools. The largest one in size
are Lake Ikh-Gun (88 Sq.he) and Lake Ayaga (13 Sq.he). Most interestingly, Lake
Ikh-Gun consists of 2 parts, 1 of which is sq.he and the other is 17 sq.he, and
there’s a track between these 2 small parts, on which a vehicle can drive. These
2 lakes are situated at the northern part of tourism zone of the Nature Reserve.
Many species of waterbirds spend summer at these 2 lakes, namely, gulls, ducks,
geese, swans, cranes, storks etc., Lake Ayaga was mentioned by one of the
well-known scientists of Mongolia, Dr. Dashdorj in one of his scientific
articles as “ Lake Ayaga needs an immediate protection as it is a home for many
species of worldwide endangered species of fish...”, in 1980s. Lake Ayaga is
richer than the lake Ikh Gun in birdlife. There’s no outlet and inlet of Lake
Ikh Gun, but Lake Ayaga has an outlet and an inlet.
Rivers
Gun-Galuut Nature reserve has many clear rivers including the River Kherlen, one
of the longest in Mongolia, River Ayaga, River Shinebulag and River Galuutai and
so on. All are rich in fish. River Ayaga flows from Lake Ayaga and joins the
River Kherlen. Currently 38 species of fish are observed in the River Kherlen
which flows from the Khentii Mountain range and joins Lake Dalai in Inner
Mongolia. Fish species, Taimen (Hucho Taimen), Lenok (Brachymystax lenok), Amur
pike (Esox reicherti), Burbot (Lota lota), Amur dase (Leuciscus waleski) and
Flathead asp (Pseudaspius parva) and many more. The Nature Reserve is open for
all 4 seasons with its rich fishery "Catch and Release" only, amazing nature
beauty and wilderness. You have opportunities to fish for Taimen – The River
King as the world class fishermen call it.
Wetlands
Ayaga wetland is a beautiful and rich wetland, a home for many species of
animals and birds. The wetland is a wonderful complex of everything that a bird
may need to live and breed. Many endangered and rare waterbirds also occur in
Gun-Galuut, namely, Black Stork /Ciconia nigra/ is facing problems of extinction
worldwide. It spends summers at Ayaga oasis of the NR peacefully.
HERITAGES
Gun-Galuut NR doesn’t only have rare and threatened species, but also it’s a
very important place for historical and cultural heritage. We think that it's
our responsible to conserve the historical sites and cultural heritages for our
future generations. Protecting them from natural causes and human factors is
very important. There are plenty of historic memorials, magnificent Hunnu period
(209 BC) deer stone, several ancient grave mounds, etc., It's very wonderful
thing that the Mongolian Great Poet D. Natsagdorj was born here. So the memorial
monument was built on the cradle of ger /dwelling he lived/ for him.
Historical Sites
There are ruins of buildings including big mud wall as though there was an
ancient town named Undur Dov, barrows, deer stones, etc., The Undur Dov is
located between Lake Ikh-Gun and Ayaga of Bayandelger soum, Tov province.
It was discovered in 1925 by Russian scholars B.Ya. Vladimortsov and B.B.Baradin
during their archaeological research for remains of ancient towns and
settlements in Baga Khentii or Kherlengiin Terelj and vicinity of Ikh and Baga
lakes. Later, Kh. Perlee made some archaeological excavations and came up with
the definition and excavation map of the ruins of town. At the time of the
excavation "Undur Dov" have battered remains of the fortified walls around the
town, traces of the elevated structure on the walls, which were presumably used
for observation by sentries and the remains of the square-shaped building in the
center of the fortress.The wall is 410x420 m square, 1.5-1.2 m high and 4-5 m
thick. Its all four side has a gate respectively.
Some of researchers date Undur Dov fortress back to the Hunnu period and some to
the XIII-XIV century.
Cultural Heritages
Changing Mongolian old society, abolishing bondage for cultural revolution,
launching and developing Mongolian Modern literature for Mongolian future
generations, Borjigon Dashdorj Natsagdorj was born in place named Melzii (Ayagiin
Am) of Bayandelger soum, Tov province in Nov 17, 1906.
An accordance with The Union of Mongolian Writers, the memorial monument was
erected on the birth place of D. Natsagdorj in Sep 28, 1981. Now, this place is
located 6.8 mile /11 km/ of west side from the Station Kherlen and 7.45 mile /12
km/ from bridge of River Kherlen.
D.Natsagdorj (1906-1937), one of some well known people is founder of Mongolian
Modern Literature. Mongolian writer, poet, playwright, Natsagdorj Dashdorj was
born in Bayandelger soum (county), Tov Province of an impoverished noble family
due to an absence of formalized education in Mongolia.
Working in the Military Department as a writer since 1911, his father Ts.
Dashdorj died in 1927. Unfortunately, his mother Pagma died in 1913 when
Natsagdorj was 7 years old.
His father got Natsagdorj when he was 8 years old to learn literacy (Mongolian
old script) under the tutor Altangerel, who was one of the great literates in
Mongolia.
From at the age of 11, he was writer for the Military Department in 1917-1921
and at the age of 16, he joined with the Central Committee of Party as a member,
and became secretary for the Military Council. Afterward, having studied at the
of Leningrad, Russia in 1925 and graduating it in 1926, when he was 20 years
old.
He had been working in Cabinet Secretariat of the Government of Mongolia as a
director since 1924. Unfortunately, during the Mongolian Festival Naadam of 1937
he died in position of leaning the yard of the Central Theater.
He created many poems, fictions, verses, etc., For instance: /poem/ "To be
appeared blue", "The song for youth", "Note on the way to Berlin", "Indian
woman", "Wonderful", "Science", "Wanting freedom", "Oktyabri", "My native
place", "My mammy", "Four season", "Dream", "My little lamb",etc., /fiction/
"White moon and black tear", "Tear of Lama", "Old boy", "Admiring culture",
"Beauty of the countryside", "Thing that never had seen", etc.
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