terassia

Environmental Policy and Paradigm Research

The term “TERRASIA”consists of “Terra(land)”and “Asia” Compared to other continents, Asia has the fastest
desertification rate as well as the highest proportion of lands already turned into deserts.

Desertification is now rapidly spreading not only in Northeast Asia but also in Central, West, and South Asia.
Therefore, there is a strong need to create an international network that can practically and effectively cope with the
desertification issue.

In 2005, African Union, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification(UNCCD), United Nations Development
Programme(UNDP), and World Bank agreed to establish the Terrafrica Project to act against serious land degradation
in Africa.

Green Asia suggested the importance of the Terrasia Project along with its roadmap in 2007, and is currently working to
increase participations from various domestic and international organizations.

Green Asia Network is currently focusing on development of afforestation & sustainable development model in Mongolia,
as the core site of Terrasia project.

In Mongolia, 90% of the land is currently being affected by desertification. A research by Mongolian Government in 2007
shows that 852 rivers and streams(out of 5,128), 2,277 creeks(out of 9,306) and 1,181 lakes(out of 3,747) have
disappeared in recent decades. Three quarters of botanical specimen were also exterminated.

Compared to its neighboring country, China, which has also been affected by desertification yet has aggressively
conducted the policy to combat desertification at government level, Mongolian government is suffering from the lack of
finance and strategic policy.