Nearly 80% of Numrug Strictly Protected Area affected by fire; Japan to support restoration

ULAANBAATAR / TOKYO — A preliminary assessment indicates that 79.8 percent of the Numrug Strictly Protected Area in eastern Mongolia, covering 468,965.7 hectares, was affected by a forest and steppe fire. Mongolia and Japan plan to cooperate on restoring the natural ecosystem and protecting habitats for rare species.

On October 26, 2026, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Ts. Sandag-Ochir met with Japanese Ambassador to Mongolia M. Igawahara and a delegation led by Yasuhiro Ochi, chief executive officer of Mobicom Corporation LLC. The meeting focused on the environmental damage caused by the fire at the Numrug Strictly Protected Area in Khalkhgol soum, Dornod aimag, as well as options for assessing the damage and restoring the affected area.

Ambassador M. Igawahara expressed regret over the extensive damage the fire caused to Mongolia’s environment and ecosystems, and said Japan was ready to work closely with the Government of Mongolia and contribute to restoring the affected region. Yasuhiro Ochi, chief executive officer of Mobicom Corporation, also apologized to the Mongolian people and relevant parties over the incident and thanked those who worked to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading further.

Extent of the fire and ecological damage

The fire, which started on October 8, burned 468,965.7 hectares of the Numrug Strictly Protected Area, equivalent to 79.8 percent of the protected area’s total territory. The preliminary estimate highlights the scale of the damage in one of Mongolia’s ecologically important regions, while a detailed assessment of the actual environmental impact is still under way.

The Government of Mongolia has instructed relevant agencies to determine the cause and circumstances of the fire, assess the environmental damage and take steps to prevent similar disasters in the future. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has also formed a team of 17 professional experts to scientifically assess the impact on soil, vegetation, wildlife, forests, air quality and other ecological indicators.

The Numrug Strictly Protected Area lies in the western section of the Greater Khingan mountain range and provides comprehensive protection for forest, forest-steppe, steppe and river ecosystems in eastern Mongolia. It was placed under state special protection in 1992, and its boundaries were expanded in 2019, bringing its total area to 587,700 hectares.

The area is home to 487 plant species, 263 bird species and 24 fish species. It also provides habitat for rare animals including the Manchurian wapiti, brown bear, red deer and Eurasian otter. The effects of the fire therefore extend beyond forests and vegetation, posing risks to animals’ food supplies and breeding grounds, water sources, soil structure and the stability of the ecosystem as a whole.

Japanese expertise to support restoration efforts

Environmental cooperation between Mongolia and Japan has continued beyond the October 26 meeting. Motohiro Hasegawa, a senior adviser on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and representatives of the Japanese Embassy discussed with Mongolian experts opportunities to cooperate on post-fire restoration.

Dr. Motohiro Hasegawa previously participated in research on ecosystem recovery following the major fire that struck Yellowstone National Park in the United States in 1988. He is due to exchange views with Mongolian specialists on how the experience and methods from that research could be applied to conditions in the Numrug Strictly Protected Area.

The sides discussed protecting habitats for rare animals that moved into areas unaffected by the fire, taking necessary biotechnical measures and studying the potential for the burned ecosystem to recover naturally. They also considered using Japanese technical and professional support to develop short-, medium- and long-term restoration plans based on the damage assessment.

The cooperation highlights the importance of international experience and scientific research in restoring areas affected by natural disasters. Ecosystem restoration is not limited to regrowing trees and vegetation; it is a long-term process aimed at restoring the natural balance and biodiversity of an entire region.

Cooperation strengthened at prime ministerial level

Restoration efforts following the Numrug fire have also been discussed at the level of the two governments’ heads.

On October 29, 2026, Mongolian Prime Minister N. Uchral discussed the damage to the Numrug Strictly Protected Area and restoration efforts during a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

During the call, Prime Minister Takaichi said JICA had dispatched a professional team and that, based on its findings, Japan planned to implement cooperation to contribute to restoration of the Numrug Strictly Protected Area. Prime Minister N. Uchral welcomed Japan’s support and cooperation and expressed Mongolia’s readiness to work together to carry out environmental restoration in phases and effectively.

The two sides also agreed to further strengthen their friendly relations and cooperation ahead of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Japan in 2027.

Restoration following the fire at the Numrug Strictly Protected Area represents an important opportunity not only to protect Mongolia’s natural heritage but also to advance international cooperation on conservation. A scientifically grounded damage assessment, a long-term plan and the practical application of professional expertise will be crucial to restoring the region’s ecosystem.

The amount of restoration funding and the detailed implementation timeline have not yet been finalized. The specific form of cooperation will be determined based on the findings of the professional team.