The Independent Research Institute of Mongolia (IRIM) has completed the ‘Socio-economic baseline study in LPA (Locally Protected Area), forest-steppe area of Bulgan soum of Arkhangai aimag’. The main purpose of the baseline study aims to analyse the socio-economic baseline and trends - particularly those relating to wildlife and forest management practices - in the LPA. More particularly, it sought to identify local livelihoods, their diversity, the main income sources of local people, and people’s key challenges and to analyse the current degradation level of local natural resources, identifying key threats and the drivers. 

To accomplish the above objectives both qualitative and quantitative methods were usedand the following main activities were carried out:

1. Questionnaires included socio-economic data collected from among the households of the LPA in Bulgan soum. Based on the collected data project team conducted analysis on current state of livelihood of the community, estimated an overall economic well-being using Multidimensional poverty index (MPI) and conducting analysis on residents’ employment, housing conditions and infrastructure and life satisfaction;
2. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with the following groups: (i) local leaders and experts (ii) local people living in LPA; and (iii) women living in LPA. The participatory methods were used such as natural resource mapping; threat analysis (changes/impacts/threats, and causes/drivers); and changes and trends for all natural resources and species.

We would like to express our gratitude to local herders, FUG representatives and local government officials in Arkhangai aimag for collaborating with the successful implementation of the project.