Government’s and capital city authorities have made the promise and goal of reducing air pollution and improving living conditions at the forefront of their policies throughout the years. However, the air quality and ecosystem of Ulaanbaatar City have been continuously threatened and destroyed, causing significant harm to all living beings that sustain and cleanse the capital city’s climate. This “two-faced” policy and decisions have led to the deterioration of the Selbe and Dund rivers that stream through the capital city. These rivers, which once supplied water to 37 soums in five provinces and seven districts of the capital, are now in a dire state. The Tuul River, which has historically provided water to both humans and livestock, is severely polluted and degraded, reaching a point comparable to China’s Yellow River. In the wake of these developments, the Bogd Khaan Mountain, which serves as a crucial ecological balance for the capital city and covers a significant portion of Ulaanbaatar’s forest reserves, is now on the verge of destruction.
It is not an exaggeration to say that influential figures have sold off and subdivided parts of this protected land under the guise of using it for tourism development. The illegal allocation of land in the northern slopes of the mountain has caused overcrowding, and professional agencies have already documented this issue. Meanwhile, the government is preparing to take the next step in its plan to permanently damage the area by building a road that cuts through the heart of the Bogd Khaan Mountain. This project, which involves constructing a 15.3 km road, bridge, and associated infrastructure from the Khurkhree area to the Nomtiin Am, is included in the ruling party’s platform and the government’s action plan. It is expected to be implemented with financial support from China, including loans and workforce. Although the project has generated considerable public criticism, preparatory work continues behind the scenes. The project’s initiators have even gone so far as to rename it the “Khushig Valley Tunnel Project” to avoid the public backlash.
There has been a rumor circulating that the construction of this tunnel connecting Ulaanbaatar to the new Khushig Valley settlement area in Tuv Province will cost 5.5 trillion MNT. However, the minister of the relevant sector has dismissed this claim, calling it unfounded, and instead presented an estimate of 2.4 to 2.8 trillion MNT. As of now, the confirmed information is that the Ministry of Road and Transportation has announced a tender for the preliminary design and project preparation for the “Khushig Valley Tunnel Project,” with a budget of 55.3 billion MNT. The Chinese company “China Design Group” has been selected for this project. It seems that construction work may begin soon.
At one point, there were discussions about “cutting” through the Bogd Khaan Mountain to reduce air pollution, and Ulaanbaatar’s residents humorously commented, “Surely, they can’t be this reckless.” However, this strange initiative has gradually evolved into what is now being considered the “best” solution to the city’s congestion and over-centralization. Those who had previously failed to take action to protect the mountain are now speaking out, claiming, “Look at what has happened to our protected mountain! They are filling its valley and skirts with housing developments, destroying its trees and shrubs, and now they want to cut a tunnel right through it to expand the city’s infrastructure.” However, experts see no justification for supporting or endorsing this project.
The question remains: Is the decision to build a tunnel through Bogd Khaan Mountain the right solution? What are the implications for society, the economy, the environment, and urban planning? This is a matter of concern and debate among environmentalists, engineers, and urban planners alike.
DESTROYING BOGD KHAAN MOUNTAIN WOULD BE BETRAYAL OF FAITH
Dr. S.AMGALANBAATAR (Member of the Board of the Mongolian Environmental Civil Council and Researcher):
Building a tunnel through Bogd Khaan Mountain is an extremely sensitive topic. From any perspective—environmental, social, or economic—it is an initiative without scientific justification, calculations, or research. Upon investigating who initiated this idea, it turns out that it was the current Minister of Road and Transportation, B.Delgersaikhan. He conceived this idea while he was the head of the National Committee to reduce traffic congestion in Ulaanbaatar. He has been promoting the idea that traffic congestion will drastically decrease and everything will improve once the tunnel is built. However, the main goal of this project is simply to create a shortcut to the Khushig Valley Airport in Tuv Province. Is there a problem with passengers traveling to Chinggis Khaan International Airport that affects Ulaanbaatar’s traffic congestion, creating peak-hour congestion in the morning and evening? The answer is no; this claim has no basis. Therefore, building a tunnel connecting Bogd Khaan Mountain with Khushig Valley will not significantly alter the flow of traffic or reduce congestion in the capital. Districts like Sukhbaatar and Bayangol in the city center will still be congested as usual. From the standpoint of its goals and rationale, this initiative does not meet standards and lacks scientific validity.
Bogd Khaan Mountain is a sacred site for the Mongolian people, who have long revered and protected the mountain, its waters, and the entire landscape. Not only in Mongolia but also globally, it is considered one of the oldest protected mountains, and we hold it in high esteem. If we “cut through” it and damage its ecosystem, it would be a betrayal of the faith and beliefs of the Mongolian people. We, as a nation, believe in the proverb: “A stone that moves from its place does not find its balance for three years.” This reflects our deep respect for nature and our belief in living in harmony with the Earth, without violating its natural laws. Our ancestors taught us that even the smallest disturbance in nature leaves a lasting mark, and this is why we must approach nature with care and respect. Now, imagine how many stones will move and how many marks will be left when an entire mountain is dug into and destroyed. Many people, including myself, have criticized and opposed this project from this perspective.
Bogd Khaan Mountain has permafrost. By constructing a tunnel, the permafrost will be destroyed, and it will no longer exist. As a result, soil moisture will decrease, leading to increased dryness. The plants and trees in the area will start to die. Once the forest ecosystem is disrupted, biodiversity will also decline. In essence, the project will have multiple negative impacts on the environment, the life of urban residents, society, and the economy. The moment construction begins, animals living in the area will flee the capital, and many of them will end up being killed by stray dogs or vehicles. These are the immediate risks. The effects of ecological destruction are not immediately visible to humans; they become apparent after a certain period—at least 10 years later. At that point, the consequences will be noticeable, and it will be difficult to take corrective actions or restore the damaged areas. By then, it will be too late to regret. We must not make decisions that will result in irreversible harm.
DOING PROJECT IN WRONG TIME DURING ECONOMIC CRISIS
Z.TUYA (CEO of “New Urbanism” company, Urban Planner, Architect):
The idea of building a new airport in Tuv Province dates back to 2009. The existing runway at “Buyant-Ukhaa” airport no longer met technical standards, and concerns about safety prompted the need for relocation. Around this time, discussions began regarding the creation of a new urban zone centered around the airport. After years of discussions and with the support of international organizations, the new airport was finally constructed. Now, to connect it with the capital, there is talk of “piercing” Bogd Khaan Mountain and building a tunnel through it.
For a country with a small market, a relatively small population, and a policy focused on decentralizing and developing other regions, it is highly questionable whether this is a timely and optimal solution. The population and traffic flow in areas such as Zuunmod and Sergelen soums near Khushig Valley have increased dramatically since the construction of the airport, but it remains unclear how the new infrastructure and urban developments in these areas will align or what impact they will have. Supporting and developing these areas with their own distinct infrastructure and economic foundation seems more sensible and practical than building a new city from scratch.
Despite the budgetary and financial challenges, and despite the emphasis on decentralizing the capital, everything about the current situation is uncertain. Therefore, this project seems rushed and premature. We need to carefully consider whether a tunnel through Bogd Khaan Mountain is truly necessary. From an environmental perspective, this project will essentially “take over” the entire protected area of Bogd Khaan Mountain. This is the northernmost permafrost region of the Khentii Mountain range, and it is home to five species of coniferous trees that are unique to Mongolia, some of which (such as the larch) have disappeared in recent years, according to forestry experts.
Due to human activity, wildlife migration in the area has become disrupted, and animals are now confined to only a few areas. With the current concentration of Ulaanbaatar’s population already affecting the ecosystem of the protected area, instead of reducing this pressure, this new project would only exacerbate the problem. It is regrettable that instead of taking measures to reduce the damage to the ecosystem, we are proceeding with a project that will only worsen the situation.
In Ulaanbaatar today, there are clear social and environmental divides between the ger districts, the city center, and the areas around Zaisan or Bogd Khaan Mountain. If a tunnel is built connecting Ulaanbaatar to Tuv Province, it may further deepen these divides, creating a distinction between those living in the northern parts of the city and those living in the southern parts near the mountain. This raises the question of who will live in the areas surrounding the new tunnel, as there is a lack of a unified understanding of public or collective property in the country. Additionally, the principles and policies regarding the development of new residential areas have been compromised.
The initiators and implementers of the project are emphasizing its economic benefits, but it is unclear how much long-term economic and social benefit it will actually provide. It seems as though they are simply imagining the potential benefits and then convincing themselves of its success. From a social and economic perspective, it might be more viable and forward-looking to focus on developing the regional centers like Orkhon and Darkhan-Uul and strengthening the Biocombinat area, which is the closest to Ulaanbaatar. This would better decentralize the capital, easing congestion and offering more sustainable development opportunities. Despite talk of developing satellite towns, we have failed to develop the Biocombinat area on the outskirts of the city, which could serve as a focal point for growth.
ESTABLISHING TUNNEL INCREASES RISK OF DUST, DRYNESS, AND NOISE
N.TSOGBADRAKH (Engineer with the Master’s degree in Urban Development from Japanese University):
The concept of “development” has recently been a subject of intense global discussion. Countries are increasingly moving away from measuring development through large infrastructure projects and shifting towards sustainable, people-friendly, and environmentally-conscious planning solutions. Today, the focus is not on just building grand structures, but rather on creating cities and regions that support the well-being, productivity, and mental health of citizens. The goal is to implement solutions that improve the living conditions, livelihoods, and mental and physical health of residents.
In Mongolia, however, the approach to development seems to prioritize solving “urgent societal problems” over human rights and broader concepts of sustainable development. A prime example of this is the proposed tunnel project through Bogd Khaan Mountain. The stated goal is to reduce traffic congestion in Ulaanbaatar and mitigate urban concentration. However, there is no detailed calculation or scientific study that explains exactly how much traffic will be reduced or how urban concentration will be alleviated. To date, no environmental or economic impact studies have been published or made publicly available for review.
In 1996, Bogd Khaan Mountain was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which means it is a protected area of global ecological significance. The concept of a “biosphere” refers to an ecosystem that is inhabited by living beings and where their impact is visible. The mountain’s role is therefore vital not just to Mongolia, but to the entire region, and its ecological significance is internationally recognized. This raises the important question: can we interfere with such a precious area, especially one that has been internationally acknowledged and protected for over 30 years?
The most immediate concern should be the impact on the local ecosystem and human living conditions. How will this tunnel affect Ulaanbaatar’s climate, air quality, and the daily lives of its residents? These are the most important questions to answer before any development decisions are made. Only after understanding the true environmental costs should we discuss the potential benefits of reducing congestion or easing urban concentration.
Moreover, the promise of planting one billion trees and increasing green spaces in the city is commendable, but this cannot justify devastating Bogd Khaan Mountain. If we destroy its forest resources and ecological balance, the damage will far outweigh the benefits. While reducing traffic congestion is important, we must consider the broader consequences, such as increased dust, drier conditions, and noise pollution, all of which will be exacerbated by such a large-scale construction project.
Building the tunnel through Bogd Khaan Mountain could cause significant environmental degradation. It will likely lead to increased dust pollution, drier conditions (which would harm local flora), and higher levels of noise pollution. In the long run, these factors will negatively affect Ulaanbaatar’s climate, water resources, and most importantly, the health of its citizens. If the environmental risks and impacts have been properly considered and addressed, we can only hope that the right decisions are being made.
