MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT: SAKER FALCONS DO NOT EXIT MONGOLIA ON COMMERCIAL PURPOSES

No saker falcon has exited Mongolia on commercial purposes since 2013, stated the Minister of Environment and Green Development, Ms D.Oyunkhorol at a press conference today in response to a statement made by the president of Mongolian Professional Hunters Association D.Khurtsgerel, who accused the Minister for smuggling the rare species of birds, on October 7.

“Minister has no authority or whatsoever over exporting falcons. The Cabinet issued a resolution in 2013 banning the commercial export of saker falcons. The birds are gifted on some occasions to high-level guests from the Middle East. For security, all information regarding the arrival and departure dates and visit programs are classified, including the information on gifts. In 2016, four officials paid visits here from the Middle East. These guests were accompanied by 50-150 people. With the visits, the airport, hotel and other services made income of about MNT 15 billion only in August and September. The guests were imposed MNT 10 billion customs duty to carry each gift bird with them”, she said.

“On the other hand, great amount of investment was made in Mongolia from the Middle East within the past decade. For instance, USD 13 million in construction of Taishir Hydropower Plant, USD 3.4 million in establishment of Biodiversity Research Center, and USD 360 million in purchasing necessary medical equipment for the general hospitals of Khentii and Bayan-Olgii provinces. Middle Eastern investors have settled financing of USD 7 million for the project on Burn Treatment Center and USD 12 million for construction of Khentii airport. Therefore, a person cannot insinuate the high-ranking officials and investors on the basis of his own personal interests”, the Minister underlined.

According to the director of Environmental and Natural Resources Management Department of the Ministry, Mr D.Davaasamba, President of the Hunters’ association D.Khurtsgerel submitted a proposal on exporting saker falcons, which was rejected by the Ministry.

Source:http://en.montsame.mn/politics/minister-environment-saker-falcons-do-not-exit-mongolia-commercial-purposes