NEWS - PAGE 1

WELCOME TO NEW AMBASSADOR

We take pleasure in bidding a warm welcome to the newly-elected Mongolian Ambassador to the UK - H.E. Mr B. Altangerel, who has just taken up his appointment at the Embassy. He replaces H.E. Mr D. Davaasambuu who tirelessly served the post for 6 years, during which time he acquired a great interest in Cambridge, and MIASU (Mongolia & Inner Asia Studies Unit) in particular where, before departure, he was presented with a painting of the city by Prof. Caroline Humphrey who is co-founder of MIASU in Cambridge University. He became, and remains a firm supporter of CAMDA, having met with Dr David Sneath (Chairman), and John Pirie (CEO) on many earlier occasions.

The new Ambassador, before leaving Mongolia had been charged by the President with the responsibility of presenting to John Pirie the Friendship Medal known as Nairamdal, one of the highest honours bestowed upon a foreigner for work which benefits the people of Mongolia. Like his predecessor, he took the opportunity to visit Cambridge with a dual purpose - to meet with Professor Caroline Humphrey and on behalf of the President H.E.Nambar Enkbayar, to present her with a volume entitled “The Great Mongolian State” celebrating 800 years of Mongolian government.

At a ceremony hosted by Professor Humphrey at Kings College on 7th July 2008, he presented her with the attractively bound manuscript, and then made the award of the Friendship Medal to John Pirie.

Seated: Caroline Humphrey, John Pirie & Ambassador
Rear: MIASU members and Embassy officials Seated are Caroline Humphrey, John Pirie and the Ambassador

During his visit the Ambassador was given a tour of the MIASU building. He expressed the importance of education and stated that he would like to become more involved with MIASU, talking of fostering a relationship with the university which would allow for a greater exchange of students, culture and knowledge.

The Ambassador presenting John with medal

RESEARCH INTO WATER RESOURCES

Although our Well Refurbishment Project continues unabated in locations with a known need for either a refurbished or newly dug well, we are concerned by reports of increased desertification which leads to many herders being forced to move their animals - sometimes great distances - in order to find sufficient grazing to sustain their animals' needs. A key factor linked to this is the availability of water, for even where there is grazing, without adequate water supplies it is still an unusable location.

Climate change, adding to persistent droughts is tending to break the traditional cycle of grazing whereby herds are moved from winter grazing to summer pasture, returning again for the winter. Now many herders are not returning, there being insufficient resources for them to return to.

We have commissioned a thorough survey in 6 aimags most affected by these conditions, to better establish where to provide new wells when our present (2008) project is completed.
The results of the survey should be complete by early summer, so that we can make future decisions of well placement that will be based on the facts of our research. We will keep you informed on this important topic.

Pictures: the encroaching desert, and stages of a typical pit-well providing much needed water in such harsh conditions.

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