Mongolia Pilot Project
Herder groups in Mongolia were given areas (average 3,000 ha) of forest, mainly Siberian larch, Scots pine with some birch, to manage/protect.
The forest faced extensive annual insect pest problems and very damaging, quick-spreading fires. The groups observed and agreed they needed to thin the thick, sometimes impenetrable areas to combat the issues but it was deemed ‘illegal’ and that there would be fines imposed on anyone without a forestry qualification to cut a ‘green tree’.
Since the Herders were unable to be away from their livestock for any substantial periods of time, it was decided that we pilot a 5-day/1 week ‘to-professional-standard’ training in thinning of the thick problem causing areas.