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Air pollution

Tourism-Induced Livestock Concentration Negatively Impacts Mongolia's National Parks

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Sustainable tourism development and the subsequent settlement of herders in protected areas have led to a significant increase in livestock numbers in Mongolia, resulting in negative environmental consequences. A recent study from Transilvania University Brasov examined the ecological footprint of tourism in the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, where the number of tourists increased by 2.7 times, while livestock numbers rose by 3.3 times during the study period. The study found that the growth in livestock populations, driven by tourism, has led to higher greenhouse gas emissions and intensified grazing pressure, negatively impacting the habitats and sustainability of rare plant and animal species within the park.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study introduces the concept of "tourism-induced livestock concentration," where livestock numbers increase alongside unsustainable tourism development, leading to negative environmental consequences.
  • In the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park, the number of tourists increased by 2.7 times, while livestock numbers rose by 3.3 times during the study period.
  • The study found that tourism contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions in protected areas, with a significant impact on the ecological footprint of these areas.
  • The growth in livestock populations, driven by tourism, has led to higher greenhouse gas emissions and intensified grazing pressure, negatively impacting the habitats and sustainability of rare plant and animal species within the park.
  • The study highlights the need for sustainable tourism practices in protected areas to mitigate the negative environmental consequences of tourism-induced livestock concentration.
  • The research provides a focused analysis of the ecological footprint of tourism in Mongolia, highlighting the importance of addressing the issue of tourism-induced livestock concentration in protected areas.

Statistics:

  • 2.7 times increase in the number of tourists in the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park during the study period
  • 3.3 times increase in livestock numbers in the Alti Tavan Bogd National Park during the study period
  • The study found that the growth in livestock populations, driven by tourism, has led to a 23.5% increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the protected area.
  • The research highlights the importance of sustainable tourism practices in protected areas, with a focus on reducing the ecological footprint of tourism.

Sources:

  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment of the Ecological Footprint From Tourism-induced Livestock Aggregation In the Altai Tavan Bogd National Park In Mongolia. Sustainability, 2025;17(17):7870.
  • NewsRx. Researchers from Transilvania University Brasov Report on Findings in Ecology, Environment and Conservation (Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment of the Ecological Footprint From Tourism-induced Livestock Aggregation In the Altai Tavan Bogd ...). Global Warming Focus. October 27, 2025; p 77.

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