ULAN BATOR, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia is encountering major logistical barriers when assessing ecological losses from the recent massive wildfire at the Numrug Strictly Protected Area, and is exploring helicopter aerial surveys, local media reported.
According to TV5 Mongolia, difficult terrain prevents ground transport, including cars, motorcycles and horses, from reaching large swathes of fire-hit zones deep inside the reserve.
Sandag-Ochir Tsend, Mongolia's minister of environment and climate change, was quoted as saying that the assessment working group has run into severe obstacles compounded by rugged terrain, harsh weather and special geographic conditions. Many hard-hit interior sections of the reserve have no access roads and are completely unreachable by conventional ground transport, making on-site verification impossible for numerous burned areas.
The minister noted the working group has submitted formal applications to Mongolia's national emergency management authorities and border authorities for professional technical backing and logistical support.
Mongolia is also weighing deploying helicopters for aerial inspection and aerial photography to cover blind spots for ground surveys, the report said.
Thorough field investigations and sample collection in forest-steppe zones and wildlife habitats are essential to produce objective, rigorous, and credible assessment findings, the minister stressed, adding that accurate ecological-loss data form a core foundation for Mongolia to pursue compensation for ecological harm, develop post-disaster management plans, and advance ecological restoration work.
The large-scale steppe fire broke out on Oct. 8 in the Numrug Strictly Protected Area in Dornod Province. Mongolian media reported that a convoy of more than 10 personnel and five vehicles from Mobicom, a Mongolian telecom operator with Japanese investment and staffed by Japanese senior executives, ignited dry grass while traveling and sparked the blaze. All open flames were fully extinguished on Oct. 16.
Japan's KDDI has acknowledged links between the fire and the activities of Japanese executives at its Mongolian subsidiary Mobicom. ■
