Shorn of its once-impregnable natural barriers to the west, south and east, how can Mongolia keep its culture and natural heritage? Mongolian society has to decide how to respond or events outside will dictate the shape of the nation for better or worse, and act, and act quickly... | ABSTRACT The report draws attention to some realities of the new road and rail routes between Mongolia and China.
According to some observers the roads and railways are mainly to exploit Mongolia’s resources. We test this assumption, find it shaky, and seek a more convincing explanation.
Our study is a contribution to the debate in all levels of Mongolian society about how to deal with the mining sector and the wealth and problems it brings.
But our study highlights a much bigger challenge facing Mongolia. A vast network of paved roads, motorways and railways is nearing completion to all remote corners of China. This network cradles Mongolia around its western, southern and eastern flanks of Mongolia that – by accident – strip Mongolia of all its natural barriers to China.
Our study also looks at the need for cross-border environmental and social impact studies, and the need for Mongolia, China, developers and international donors to abide by the spirit of the Aarhus and Espoo conventions and foster cross-border public participation in environmental decision making for mining and infrastructure projects that affect both sides of the border. DOWNLOAD ARTICLE
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