Mongolia PM describes massive steppe fire in E. Mongolia as serious matter

ULAN BATOR, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osor Uchral on Monday described a massive steppe fire in eastern Mongolia, allegedly sparked by a convoy operated by a Japanese-invested company, as a serious matter.

The fire broke out on Oct. 8 in the core zone of the Numrug Strictly Protected Area in Dornod Province, and was fully extinguished on Oct. 16. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been sparked by a convoy operated by Mobicom, a Mongolian telecommunications company with Japanese investment.

"About 80 percent of the Numrug Strictly Protected Area has been affected by the fire. This is not simply a matter of land being burned. It is a serious loss of Mongolia's pristine natural environment, rare wildlife and plant species, and natural heritage that we must preserve for future generations," Uchral said.

"No one should be allowed to escape accountability for the damage. The investigation must establish who authorized entry into the protected area, for what purpose, who was responsible for ensuring fire safety, and what measures were taken after the fire broke out. Any issues related to Mobicom's operations must also be investigated in accordance with the law and based on evidence," he stressed.

Uchral also emphasized that the government supports foreign investment, but that this does not exempt investors from legal obligations or accountability.

"Anyone operating in Mongolia must comply with Mongolian laws and regulations," he said.

The prime minister instructed Tsend Sandag-Ochir, minister of environment and climate change, to have the affected land, destroyed vegetation, damaged wildlife habitats and overall environmental losses assessed by relevant specialists and to develop a restoration plan.

He also instructed Ganzorig Temuulen, minister of justice and internal affairs, to ensure that officials who had failed to properly perform their duties in accordance with the law were held accountable.

The Numrug Strictly Protected Area is one of eastern Mongolia's best-preserved natural ecosystems and provides habitat for a wide range of wildlife, including rare and endangered species.

According to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the fire scorched approximately 530,000 hectares of land, including about 470,000 hectares within the protected area, equivalent to 79.8 percent of the reserve's total area.

Only about 30 percent of the burned area is accessible to vehicles and heavy equipment. A team tasked with reaching the remaining 70 percent is scheduled to depart Ulan Bator by air on Tuesday.