Tsetsegee Munkhbayar

In 2000 while he was serving as a head of local civil council in Saikhan Ovoo sum of Middle Gobi province he got involved in bringing water back to one of few rivers flowing into the Gobi Desert – Ongi River and Ulan Lake. It dried up because of gold mining activities in its headwaters. As a result or his personal efforts he was able to form a grassroot NGO named Ongi River Movement. The newly formed organization’s efforts resulted in 35 of the 37 mining operations in the Onggi River Basin stopped destructive operations, the worst offender shut down, and for the first time in years the river flows again. Munkhbayar went on to unite 11 river movements, creating the United Movement of Mongolian Rivers and Lakes, now one of the nation's most influential civic and environmental organizations. As a result of their work a revolutionary law called: “LAW TO PROHIBIT MINERAL EXPLORATION AND MINING OPERATIONS AT HEADWATERS OF RIVERS, PROTECTED ZONES OF WATER RESERVOIRS AND FORESTED AREAS” was adopted by parliament of Mongolia. 2 years of hard work resulted in parliament passing the law in 2009. However the law is not implemented and the United Movement of Mongolian Rivers and Lakes sues the government and in October 2011 Supreme Court of Mongolia found the Government guilty and orders it to implement the law. Even after that nothing has been done, moreover due to economy downfall the government decides to revoke the Law to prohibit mineral exploration and mining operations at headwaters or rivers, protected zones of water reservoir and forested areas. In an attempt to stop the government Munkhbayar comes to the parliament house with a weapon simply manifesting that people will have to resort to the last means of taking up arms if government and parliament will try to change the law and allow mining activities in watersheds of rivers and lakes. As a result Munkhbayar and his associates were sentenced to prison time. After over 2 years in prison Munkhbayar is out and strengthening his organization to fight for implementation of the same law.