Known as the "dark blue pearl" of Mongolia, Lake Khovsgol is one of the country's largest and most spectacular protected areas. Bordered to the north by the Sayan Mountains (rising to the park's highest point of 3491 meters) and to the west by the Khoridal Soridag range, the lake is 136 km long and 36 km wide. Its 380 cubic km of water make it the fourteenth largest freshwater lake in the world by volume, with over 1% of the world's fresh water. At its deepest, the lake dives 262 meters.
  

Special Features: second largest fresh water lake in Central Asia by volume; extremely clear water, spectacular alpine scenery.

Size and location: 838,000 hectares in Hovsgol province, northwestern Mongolia.

Established: 1992

The towns of Khatgal and Khankh are situated within the park. A jeep trail traverses the lake's eastern shore, and a boat sometimes operates between the two towns. Mongols of the Khalkh, Buryat, and Darkhat ethnic groups inhabit parts of the park during certain seasons, and the Tsaatan reindeer herders live in the mountainous taiga and forest steppe to the north and west (see sidebar).
  

Ninety-six rivers and streams empty into Lake Hovsgol, but only the Egiin River exits the lake. The Egiin flows southeast until it joins the Selenge River, which flows through one of Mongolia's most densely populated areas on its way to Lake Baikal. Tributaries to Hovsgol include the Hankh and Khoroo rivers, the mouths of which have been designated "core areas" because of their importance for migratory birds.

Nine species of fish inhabit the lake, including Siberian grayling and lenok. Nearby taiga forest, forest steppe, mountains, and the lake itself provide habitat for 68 species of mammals, including argali, ibex, elk, reindeer, musk deer, brown bear, lynx, marten, beaver, wolf, and moose, 244 species of birds, and 750 species of plants, including 60 with medicinal importance.

Fuel spills in the lake, overgrazing, illegal tree felling, and poaching of bear, musk deer, and elk are among the problems facing the park.

Other information about Lake Khovsgol

The Tsaatan Reindeer Herders

Living mostly in the rugged taiga-forested mountain areas to the north and west of Lake Hovsgol, the Tsaatan (meaning "reindeer herdsmen" in Mongolian) are one of Mongolia's most fascinating social groups. Traditional reindeer herders, the Tsaatan are part of the Turkic-speaking Tuvinian ethnic group known as Dukha, reindeer herders who today inhabit parts of Tuva, the region just across the border in Russia.

Traditionally, these taiga forest dwellers used reindeer for transporting supplies, riding, and milk, and only rarely used them for meat.

Today, 30-40 Tsaatan families still practice reindeer herding.

GOBI GURVANSAIKHAN NATIONAL PARK

Special features: dramatic rock formations,sand dunes, colorful canyons, numerous rare plant species.

Size and location: 2.0 million hectares in Omnogobi province.

Established: 1994.

It appears that snow leopard range is declining in Mongolia, perhaps due to poaching and reductions in prey species like ibex and argali. As natural prey vanishes, snow leopards areforced tofind otherfood sources, such as domestic livestock. Snow leopards are listed as endangered by the World Conservation Union.

Researchers estimate that between 500-1700 snow leopards inhabit Mongolia but more research is needed.

Annual precipitation ranges from less than 50 mm in desert lowlands to more than 200 mm in higher mountain areas.

Local herders seasonally graze livestock in parts of the park, which features some popular tourist destinations, including the Valley of Yol, a picturesque gorge, and the Singing Sands, a spectacular sea of sand dunes bordered by red sandstone formations, an oasis, and a saxaul forest. The Nemegt, Khermiin Tsav, and Bayanzag mountains, the sites of numerous important dinosaur fossil discoveries, also lie within the park.

These forests help to protect fragile Gobi soils from damage and erosion, regulate water supply, serve as a barrier to sand movement. They also provide habitat for animals and firewood for local people.

However, Mongolia's saxaul forests are threatened by careless treatment and possibly by increasing aridity. Forest growth rates have dropped dramatically in the past 25 years, and the area covered by theforest has also declined. Firewood gathering of saxaul has increased, as prices have risenfor coal and otherfuels. Alternatefuel sources are urgently needed to reduce pressure on remaining saxaul forests.