Educational Program on Taimen with student essay competition

In March 2025, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Mongolia developed and completed the “Management Plan for the Conservation of Taimen in the Delgermurun River Basin” and the accompanying “Monitoring Program.”

As part of the Monitoring Program, one of the activities were carried out in the general education schools of Arbulag, Tsagaan-Uul, and Bayanzurkh soums of Khuvsgul province. The aim was to raise students’ knowledge and awareness about the taimen (Hucho taimen), a species listed as “Endangered” in Mongolia’s Red List.

Through lessons and creative activities, students were introduced to the biology, ecology, and habitat of the taimen, as well as the importance of monitoring research and conservation management. To encourage free expression and creative thinking, a competition titled “My Homeland’s Taimen” was announced for two weeks. Students were invited to share their perspectives through drawings and essays, combining education with creativity to foster a deeper connection to conservation.

The competition was organized in Arbulag soum where students submitted 44 drawings from elementary grades, 63 drawings from middle grades, and 18 essays from upper grades. In Bayanzurkh soum, we received 12 drawings from elementary students, 6 drawings from middle students, and 14 essays from upper grades. In Tsagaan-Uul soum, submissions included 16 drawings and essays from elementary students, 8 drawings and essays from middle students, and 6 essays from upper grades.

In total, 38 essays and 149 drawings were reviewed. The works were evaluated based on content, clarity of ideas, and design, and the best entries were awarded prizes. From the three soums, a total of 41 students across elementary, middle, and upper grades were selected as winners of the competition. They were awarded first, second, third, and special prizes, and received certificates of recognition along with gifts related to taimen and freshwater conservation.