AKIPRESS.COM - 40 districts in 11 provinces and remote districts of the capital city in Mongolia are suffering from white dzud, Montsame reports. Over 81% of the country's territory is covered with snow and approximately 70% of the total territory is at high risk of dzud. Chairman of the Parliament Zandanshatar Gombojav visited provinces and districts to oversee winter conditions and the measures being taken.

A total of 69.1 million head of livestock is estimated to overwinter in 190,100 herder households. In preparation for winter, 7.8 million livestock of 18,800 herder households have been assessed to winter in migration seeking for good pastures, however, the migration is increasing due to heavy snowfalls.

According to the dzud risk mapping, over 95% of the total territory of Bayankhongor province is at high risk – 8.4% at very high risk, 42.9% at high risk, 43.8% at moderate risk and 4.5% at low risk. The herders stated that the entire territory of Bayankhongor province is covered with snow, while 30 cm of snow fell on the northern plains. About 7,600 heads of livestock of 16 households are forced to overwinter in neighbouring Uvurkhangai province's territory.

Due to the worsening winter conditions, the State Emergency Commission is organizing and distributing 4,015 tons of bran and 1,274 tons of fodder at a 50% discount from state reserves to the herders and households with livestock in 21 provinces and remote districts of the capital.

Herders of Bayankhongor province named many problems as a consequence of excessive livestock and overgrazing. They emphasized the urgency of detailed regulation for herders' cooperatives to work together in fodder preparation and increase yields from livestock.

Chairman Zandanshatar stated that the Association of Herder Households aimed at solving the problems faced by nomadic herders was established in Khentii and Bayankhongor provinces. This Association will be established in 21 provinces. The relevant draft law is being developed.