Tsengeleg lake

Surface area: 8,877 ha
Elevation: 825-896 m

Protection status: Unprotected.

Site description: The site comprises group of lakes called Gun Tsengeleg, Gun Galuut and Erveekhei, located in steppe zone 2-3km from each other, 30km southwest of Tsagaan-Ovoo soum, Dornod Province. Gun Galuut is the largest and there grow some reeds and rushes along its northern shore. Tsengeleg is the lake located in the plain without any reeds and rushes, and adjacent mountains. Every year about 4-6 herder families regularly stay at the site all around the year, using the land for livestock grazing. Since 1970’s, there is operating province and soum health resort in the northern shore of Gun Tsengleg lake. In the recent years, water levels of the lakes are falling due to drought, leading to dry. Increasing herder families and livestock numbers near the lakes, causing disturbance to birds and their habitats.

Importance for birds: Globally threatened bird species such as Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Whitenaped Crane (Grus vipio), Great Bustard (Otis tarda) and Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug) occur at the site. Bird species of the Eurasian steppe and desert biome dominate at the site. Migratory birds, including Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Common Shelduck (T. tadorna), Demoiselle Crane (Anthropoides Virgo) and Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) occur in vast numbers.

Special flora and fauna: There is no specific information about the other flora and fauna.