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Bogd Khan Uul

Bogd Khan Uul Biosphere Reserve is located to the south of Ulanbaatar, in the southernmost forest steppe zone and the Khentei Mountain area. The northern slopes of the mountains are covered by dense coniferous forest and the southern slopes by bare rocks. Among the most threatened animal species in the biosphere reserve are the Musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), sable (Martes zibellina) and Arctic hare (Lepus timidus). Nature conservation dates back to the twelfth and thirteenth century when the Toorl Khan of Mongolian Ancient Khereid Aimag - who prohibited logging and hunting activities - claimed the Bogd Khan as a holy mountain.

Some 70 families (346 people) live in the biosphere reserve (1994) who are mostly nomads, engaged in traditional livestock raising. It is expected that the development of tourism (30,000 tourists annually in 1994) will bring benefits to local communities. The area of Bogd Khan Uul has a very long research history dating back to the 1940's. Read more about this reserve on the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves website.