Ninety-six rivers and streams empty into Lake Khuvsgul, but only the Egiin River exits the lake. The Egiin flows southeast until it joins the Selenge River, which flows through one of Mongolia's most densely populated areas on its way to Lake Baikal. Tributaries to Khuvsgul include the Hankh and Khoroo rivers, the mouths of which have been designated "core areas" because of their importance for migratory birds. Nine species of fish inhabit the lake, including Siberian grayling and lenok. Nearby taiga forest, forest steppe, mountains, and the lake itself provide habitat for 68 species of mammals, including argali, ibex, elk, reindeer, musk deer, brown bear, lynx, marten, beaver, wolf, and moose, 244 species of birds, and 750 species of plants, including 60 with medicinal importance. Pollution and Problems facing the Lake: • Forest close to the lake beach felling illegally for domestic purposes, where no tree replanted. However, reforestation and germination rates after planting are very low in Mongolia; Khovsgol: by J. Bolortuya President N.Bagabandi has called Khovsgol Mongolia's treasure. Tourists, who flock to the area after hearing about the beautiful lake by the same name, call it Mongolia's Switzerland. The Burenkhaan Horidol, Erchmiin,Tagna, and Soyoni mountains, the Ider, Tes, Delger, and Selenge rivers, and the Erkhel, Achmag, Tsengel, Sangiin lakes attract people from far and near. With 70 percent of Lake Khovsgol's water beneath 100 meters, bottoming out at 262, the lake is Central Asia's deepest; and home to two percent of the world's fresh water. It has remained remarkably free of pollution, and its waters are as clear as spring water. Fish, including ruff and salmon, can be easily seen swimming year round. 96 rivers and streams flow out of Khovsgol, among them the Egiin river, which then joins the Selenge along its eventual path to Lake Baikal. Indeed, the Khovsgol's flora and fauna closely resemble that found in its northern neighbor.The lake has 4 islands- Khadan khuis, Modon khuis, Dalait khuis and Baga khuis. The largest is Dalait khuis (6 square km), and is covered with forest. The More Snow, the Better In the aimag's Tsagaannuur soum there are over 30 tsaatan-popularly known as the reindeer people. They lead a nomadic lifestyle, following their reindeer into the taiga. They are one of the most unique minorities of Mongolia, and simply could not survive without their animal companions. Although tsaatan live in a cold environment, they do not live in warm homes. They live in tents made of long twigs that are tied together and covered with cloth.The reindeer, however, don't feel the cold. The more it snows, the better they look and the more weight they seem to gain. They feed mainly on moss by digging through the snow. During winter they refrain from water, and eat ice and snow; even during summertime they prefer ice and snow to its warmer variants. The tsaatan have well domesticated the reindeer over the years, and the animals are very well behaved. As they like the smell of smoke, they gather around the encampment's fire and do not stray far. In the province, however, there are only 600 of the animals, and the number is not rising. Stone Statues in Khovsgol In Khovsgol there are a variety of historic sites, with ancient tombs, burial mounds, statues and temples abounding. There is an interesting collection of stone-drawings (of deer, of course) all located relatively close to each other. Near the Uushig mountains, to the west of the province's capital, Moron, there lie 14 stones. In Galt soum, some six and a half kilometers north of of Tsagaan-Uul soum and near to the Baga Bogd mountains, lie 8 stones more. In Burentogtokh soums's Khiadag area, yet 5 more. Most of the stones are made of shale, granite and marble. They average between 150-160 cm in height, 40 cm in width, and about 25 cm in thickness. The drawings are realistic Bronze Age depictions, with legs and all. For those who somehow tire of seeing stones, there is a bit of variety in Tomorbulag soum. On the left side of the Zyini river, there are the requisite stones with deer-paintings (nine of them here), but also burial mounds. Monkh Khaan- the Tale of Erchuu Town In Arbulag soum, on the northern bank of the Delger river near the Altan Gadas mountains, lie the remains of Monkh Khaan's palace. Monkh, as if he needed any introduction, was a grandson of the world-renowned Chinggis. Historical notes say that the 13th century French traveler Wilhelm de Roubruk spent some time in Monkh Khaan's residence on his way to the empire's capital, Kharkhorum. Archaeologists have turned up pots found with and without enamel, clay, chalk, and wooden ashes. They also discovered a stone statue in the palace, with the words carved on it in the old Mongolian script: "May Monkh Khaan live many, many years," proof that the stone was erected while Monkh still breathed. If you plan on heading out to Khovsgol just for the statue, however, save yourself some time. It was brought to Ulaanbaatar in 1956, and now resides in the National History Museum. Gelenhuu's Stupa 10 km north of Jargalant soum lies Gelenhuu's stupa. It was built by a man-Gelenhuu-who lived in the area. He was born in the 1890s and at the age of 10 became a monastery-student, only to be expelled for not obeying religious rules and traditions. After his expulsion, he moved to the countryside. A curious man by nature, Gelenhuu had many interests, and many songs and legends were written about him. He grew different kinds of fruits and vegetables, and although it's unknown exactly how, he brought the region its marmot population, built a special river, and was a skilled craftsman to boot.The height of the stupa is 3 meters, and is, of course, decorated with granite. Dayan Deerkhin Cave There are three types of caves-hollow, disintegrated and volcanic caves. Hollow caves are formed when limestone dissolves in the water coming up from between cracks in the earth, where erosion occurs. One of the big hollow caves is called the "Dayan Deerkhiin" cave in Tsagaan Uur soum of Khovsgol aimag. Dayan Derkhiin Cave reputed to have ancient paintings on its walls is 35 km beyond Tsagaan Nuur sum, Bulgan Aimag, near the Zerley river. In winter, you can get within 500 meters of the cave. There is a place, however, for landing a plane near the "Dayan Deerkhiin" temple ruins, not far from the cave. It was a big monastery many years ago. Inside of the cave is so beautiful. It has many things of interest. In the middle of the cave there is a shrine with a white horse on a stone owo (ceremonial cairn). It takes three or four hours to see the cave. Visitor Rules and Safety at Park Rules To protect the natural beauty of Khovsgol National Park, the Minister of Nature and the Environment and the Director of Khovsgol National Park have put the following rules in place. Please help the park by following them. If you break these rules, you may be fined, or be required to leave the park.
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