ULAN BATOR, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's Minister of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry Batjargal Batzorig instructed mayors of all 21 provinces and other relevant officials to intensify winter preparations, the ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
He has also ordered the officials to prevent possible disasters and cut losses in animal husbandry during the harsh winter, the statement said.
Animal husbandry is the backbone of the landlocked country's economy as nearly 40 percent of the country's nomadic population depend on animal husbandry for livelihood.
There is a Mongolian saying that autumn arrives the day after Naadam Festival, which means preparing for the winter.
Naadam is celebrated from July 11 to 15 across the nomadic country.
Climate change is increasing the risk of natural disasters, including droughts and the extreme wintry weather known as "dzud" in Mongolia, which has killed a lot of livestock in previous winters.
The average temperature in the East Asian country has risen 2.10 degrees Celsius since 1940, more than double the increase in average global temperatures, according to the United Nations' Environment Program.
