Water User Groups awarded

With the aim to evaluate effectiveness and implementation of shelterbelt along Buyant River Delta in Khovd aimag established by the initiative of CODEP in spring 2009, a Competition among 24 Water User Groups (WUGs) was announced and recently half yearly results were evaluated and best Groups selected and awarded (1st place "Tugs Ireedui" WUG from Jargalant soum, 2nd place "Khukh Tsutsgiit" from Buyant soum and 3rd place "Birilik" WUG in Khovd soum).

The Competition was run by CODEP in collaboration with Department of Environment and Tourism of Khovd aimag. The principle of selection was according to major criteria developed, such as number of planted seedlings, growing rate, involvement and activeness of Group members, quality of fencing, maintenance and irrigation of seedlings. The Selection Committee consists of representatives of local administration, WUGs and local mass media. Selection will be made every half year.

This spring WUG members planted 27000 seedlings and the growing rate today is 70%. In the coming fall the same number of trees are planned to be sowed additionally.