Surface area:
26,841 ha
Elevation: 1,227-1,537 m
Protection
status: Fully protected
by Dariganga National Park.
Site description: The important area
for birds, Ganga Lake is located on the borders of dry steppe and true desert
zones in Dariganga soum, Sukhbaatar province. The site comprises small lake in
the north valley of Moltsog sand dunes and three small lakes located in its
east. There are many freshwater lakes, include Orgikhiin Bulag, Zegst, Duut,
Erdene, Ulaan Toirom, Tsagaan, Kholboo and other small lakes, and sand dunes
called Moltsog, Ovoonii and Kholbogiin. Zegst
and Duut Lakes are fed by Dagsin spring waters and surrounded by tall reeds.
The site is characterized by steppe and desert vegetation zones. The increasing
tourist numbers and State Ceremony to worship Altan Ovoo State Sacred Mountain
that takes place ever 4 year, leading to gather many people and vehicles at the
site, resulting to garbage pollution and increase of road trails. In 2004 the
Ganga Lake nominated as a Ramsar Site.
Importance for birds: Globally
threatened bird species such as Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Whitenaped
Crane (Grus vipio) and Great Bustard (Otis tarda) occur at the site. Bird species of to
the Eurasian steppe and desert biome are common here. Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps
cristatus), Whooper Swan (Cygnus Cygnus), Swan Goose (Anser
cygnoides), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Common Shelduck (T.
tadorna) and Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides virgo) are gather in
flocks, exceeding 1% of their flyway populations.
Special flora
and fauna: Rare mammals
such as Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), Siberian Marmot (Marmota
sibirica), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Corsac Fox (Vulpes corsac) and European badger (Meles meles)
occur at the site.