Mitigation of sand shift and sustaining livelihoods by cultivating wild medicinal plants (MON/03/21)

Project Details & Results

Like other valuable medicinal plants in Mongolia, Glycyrrhiza, locally named sweet grass, is a medicinal plant which is currently under a serious threat of extinction. Many private companies are interested in harvesting Glycyrrhiza to export to China and Japan. Lastly, a medicine named Glycyron is made of Glycyrrhiza in Japan. During the past socialist period, the Government had paid a considerable attention to conserve and cultivate this plant naturally. However, over the last 15 years this plant has been under serious destruction by outsiders and even by local communities themselves to make some money for their survival in the current severe economic transition period.
By this grant some support is given to NGO-led community activities on cultivation of Glycyrrhiza in Kharkhorin region as an effective and useful countermeasure against soil erosion and land degradation.
A 3 ha. area affected by soil erosion was processed with a broad participation of local community members. Seeds of Glycyrrhiza imported from China were planted. The growing rate for the first year was sufficient.

Notable Community Participation
Community based activity on cultivation of wild medicinal plants will cover a wide range of local people when planting, nursing, watering and gathering them.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Creating an alternative livelihood option for local people will be a highly valued activity while cultivating wild medicinal plants.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
Local participants will be widely involved.

Project Results
A 3 ha. area affected by intensive soil erosion has been planted with seeds of Glycyrrhiza, a medicinal plant to make double profits for nature and community livelihoods. The growth rate for the first year was satisfactory. Glycyrrihiza has grown in the second year of 2005, and some more time is needed to see final results and outcomes.

community members working in the field

Towards the end of growing season