Mongolia warned that weak forestry governance is driving dangerous deadwood buildup and increasing the risk of wildfires nationwide. Officials from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said poor management has left large forest areas neglected for years. As a result, aging trees and fallen timber now cover wide sections of Mongolia’s forest regions.
The ministry reported that more than 76 percent of the country’s forests are now classified as mature or overmature. This has pushed standing deadwood volumes to about 172 million cubic meters. Fallen debris has also climbed to more than 248 million cubic meters. Forestry experts said this level of buildup greatly raises the chance of large and fast-moving wildfires. They also warned that deadwood encourages insects and tree diseases.
Narantsetseg S, who leads a community forest group in Tuv Aimag, said climate change has worsened the situation. She added that years of limited management have allowed forests to become overcrowded. According to her, thinning trees is now more important than planting new ones.
Mongolia’s forests cover about 8.45 percent of the country’s total land area. That area is larger than the forest coverage in several European nations. However, Mongolia harvests far less timber than countries like Austria or South Korea. Experts said this limits both fire prevention and economic development.
They blamed weak forestry governance for the lack of effective forest management. The National Forest Agency sets policy, but local governments control budgets. This split often delays or blocks important forest maintenance projects. Specialists also said political pressure often overrides scientific guidance.
Local councils approve logging quotas without enough technical expertise. This leads to poor planning and missed opportunities for risk reduction. In South Korea, a central forestry service manages harvesting and disaster response. Norway uses a state land company to manage its forest resources. Mongolia relies mostly on state ownership without strong operating institutions.
More than 83 percent of Mongolian forests fall inside protected zones. This further limits active forest management. Local forest units also face unstable and limited funding. Many operate with small budgets despite covering huge areas.
Community forest groups help monitor pests and fire risks. However, they receive little money for forest thinning. Officials said the government plans to review management structures this year. The review will focus on funding and institutional reform.
Experts warned that without change, wildfire risks will keep rising. They said poor forest governance remains the main threat to Mongolia’s forests.
