Mongolia may loose prairies

ULAN BATOR: Mongolia, the land of prairies, is facing rapid desertification, due partly to the unchecked growth of animal herding for prized cashmere wool from Chinese buyers and global warming.

The rapid disappearance of pasture fields has alarmed the Mongolian government.

Last May, the ministry of nature and the environment sent recommendations to the National Security Council, which is headed by President Nambaryn Enkhbayar, urging the government to step up efforts to prevent further desertification of the land.

According to the ministry, the grassland is thinning out in 75% of the nation's land area, while 7% has completely turned into deserts, Kyodo news agency reported.

Banzragch, head of the Ministry of Nature and the Environment's Sustainable Development and Strategic Planning Department, said that family livestock in Mongolia traditionally consisted of 30% goats and 70% sheep.

"This balance has collapsed as buyers from China have bid up the price of cashmere," Banzragch said in explaining the growth of Cashmere goat herding in Mongolia.

Unlike sheep, goats kick up the roots of grass and uncontrolled herding devastates pasture lands.