
20 June 2022.
Introduction:
The Khuvsgul Lake National Park of Mongolia has been added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO.
Highlights:
- This decision was taken during 34th session of International Co-ordinating council of Man and Biosphere Programme.
- This programme is taking place in Paris, France.
- The Man and Biosphere Programme is an intergovernmental scientific program. It was set up in early 1970s by UNESCO.
- The primary aim of the programme is to establish a scientific basis for enhancing relationship between people and their environments.
About Khuvsgul Lake
- The Khuvsgul Lake is located in northern Mongolian province of Khuvsgul, near to Russian border.
- It holds 70 per cent of freshwater of Mongolia or accounts for 0.4 per cent of world’s total.
- This lake is located around 1645 meters above the sea level.
- It is a 135 km long and 262-meter-deep lake.
- A total of nine sites from Mongolia have so far been registered in the network, according to the ministry.
- It is the largest fresh water lake of Mongolia, by volume.
- In terms of area, it is the second largest lake in Mongolia.
- The lake is located at about 200 km west of Lake Baikal.
- It is nicknamed as “Younger sister” of two “sister lakes”. It freezes over completely in winter.
- Khuvsgul Lake is surrounded by several mountain ridges.
- The highest of them is Burenkhaan or Monkh Saridag.
- Its peak lies exactly on Russian-Mongolian border.
About World Network of Biosphere Reserves
- The World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO covers internationally designated protected areas called as biosphere reserves.
- There reserves are meant to demonstrate a balanced relationship between nature and people.
- They are created under Man and the Biosphere Programme.
- It comprises of dynamic and interactive network of sites.
- It works to foster harmonious integration of people and nature to attain sustainable development by means of participatory dialogue, poverty reduction, knowledge sharing, human well-being improvements, and respect for cultural values.