RiverMovements.org Newsletter - 2010.05.31

Dear All,
I’m very delighted to inform you a brief update on the River Movements’ activities. The United Movement of Mongolian Rivers and Lakes (UMMRL) and the Water Agency are still working on delineating the boundaries which will be prohibited mining operations throughout the country including about 350 soums1 and 21 aimags2. There are several joint teams including representatives from environmental NGOs, local people and government officials; they have currently worked in 16 aimags. This work will end by middle of June. Then a all teams will collect the conclusion will be reached of delineating boundaries and it will clear how many mining licenses will be revoked according to the law.
Concerning another draft law:
The UMMRL has developed another draft law which amend the law on Environmental Protection in article 4.1.2 and in article 32.1.1. According to existing law on Environmental protection in article 49.2 soum and district governors have a right to apply to the court for compensations of expenses from person in breach. According to the draft law, local people and civil organizations have a right to apply to the court for compensation all expenses which have destroyed to the ecological balance and natural resources as well as mental losses of the people.

On May 26, 2010, some Parliament members leaded by Mr. P.Altangerel submitted the draft law to Mr. D.Demberel, Speaker of the Parliament.
Others
Mr. D.Ganbold (executive director) and Mr. J.Tudevdorj (member of Board of Directors) participated in the conference called “Rivers of Siberia” which took place in Vladivostok, Russia. Both Mongolian participants presented on separate topics by “Involvement of NGOs to protect rivers and lakes” and “Mining influence on Transboundary Rivers”.
Finally, I will be participating in the Summer Environmental Program of the Tahoe-Baikal Institute. I’ll be in USA and Russia until August 20. Please feel free to contact the River Movements at rivermovements@gmail.com. Ms. Burmaa will replace me between the 05th of June and the 20th of August.


Sincerely yours,
Chimgee



1 Soum is a second level administrative subdivision of Mongolia
2 Aimag is a largest administrative unit; Mongolia is divided into 21 aimaigs. It sometimes translated to province.