Minister of Environment and Climate Change Ts.Sandag-Ochir met with representatives of citizens living in the Zaisan and Nukhtiin Am areas of the Bogd Khaan Mountain Nature Reserve to discuss long-standing issues related to land ownership rights.

During the meeting, the minister noted that although more than 680 residents who have lived in the area since 1954 were issued land ownership certificates between 2016 and 2022, the rights of an additional 125 citizens remain unresolved. He emphasized that this situation raises serious human rights concerns and requires urgent attention.

According to the ministry, many of these residents have lived in the area across three generations. However, due to unresolved land registration issues, they continue to face difficulties in accessing basic public services such as education and healthcare. The lack of official addresses, electricity connections, and civil registration has further deepened these challenges.

Minister Ts.Sandag-Ochir stressed that repeated submissions of relevant documentation without resolution represents a significant administrative gap. He stated, “There should be no laws and regulations that exceed human rights. By eliminating overlap and duplication in legislation, we can strengthen the environmental protection system.”

As the area is included in the 2026 land management planning framework, the minister assigned the head of the Bogd Khaan Mountain Nature Reserve Conservation Administration, E.Tsogbadral, and the Head of the Special Protected Areas Policy Department, Ts.Uranchimeg, a one-month mandate to conduct a detailed review and resolve the outstanding land ownership issues in accordance with the law.

The meeting was attended by more than 80 residents aged between 27 and 90, who raised pressing concerns and shared their long-standing challenges related to residency and access to public services.