81-year-old engineer saves 1.24 million acres of Mongolian desert through hand-drawn maps

At an age when most people are enjoying retirement, 81-year-old Batmunkh Luvsandash spent months walking across Mongolia's harsh Eastern Gobi Desert, creating hand-drawn maps that would ultimately protect 1.24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat.

A lifetime connection to the land

Luvsandash's connection to the Gobi runs deep. Born into a herding family, he spent his childhood in the desert before becoming an engineer. But he never forgot the wild asses (khulan) that roamed freely across the steppes — animals that by 2019 faced extinction due to mining expansion and habitat loss.

"I watched these magnificent animals disappear from places where they had lived for thousands of years," Luvsandash explained. "Someone had to document what remained before it was too late."

The remarkable survey

In 2019, at age 77, Luvsandash began what many considered an impossible task. Armed with basic supplies, notebooks, and decades of desert knowledge, he set out to survey the Eastern Gobi's biodiversity. Over multiple expeditions, he:

- Walked hundreds of miles across challenging terrain

- Documented wildlife populations and water sources

- Created detailed hand-drawn maps of critical habitats

- Recorded traditional ecological knowledge from nomadic herders

His meticulous work revealed that the Eastern Gobi contained 75% of the world's remaining Asiatic wild ass population — approximately 14,000 animals.

Professional-quality results

What stunned government officials and conservationists was the accuracy of Luvsandash's hand-drawn maps. When compared with satellite imagery and GIS mapping, his work proved remarkably precise, capturing details that high-tech surveys had missed.

"His maps included seasonal migration routes, hidden water sources, and calving grounds that only someone with deep, lifetime knowledge could identify," noted Dr. Bayarjargal Agvaantseren, a conservation biologist who worked with Luvsandash.

Fighting for protection

Armed with his data, Luvsandash began advocating for the Eastern Gobi's protection. He presented his findings to parliament members, mining companies, and international conservation organizations. His age and respected status as an elder gave him unique credibility.

Despite pushback from mining interests, Luvsandash's evidence was undeniable. In March 2024, the Mongolian government officially designated 1.24 million acres of the Eastern Gobi as a protected area.

Beyond wild asses

The protected area safeguards more than just khulan. Luvsandash's surveys documented:

- 33 species of mammals

- 120 bird species

- Rare plants adapted to extreme desert conditions

- Ancient archeological sites

- Traditional nomadic migration routes

Goldman Prize recognition

In April 2025, Luvsandash received the Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the "Green Nobel Prize," for his grassroots conservation work. At the ceremony, he dedicated the award to Mongolia's nomadic herders who had shared their knowledge with him.

"This old man just showed us that you don't need satellites or drones to save the planet," said fellow Goldman Prize winner Sandra Liliana Mosquera España. "You need dedication, knowledge, and the courage to act."

Traditional knowledge meets modern conservation

Luvsandash's success highlights the vital role of traditional ecological knowledge in conservation. His lifetime of observation captured patterns and connections that short-term scientific studies often miss.

Dr. Peter Zahler from the Wildlife Conservation Society noted: "Batmunkh's work reminds us that indigenous and local knowledge holders are often our best conservationists. They see changes over decades that our snapshots miss."

Inspiring the next generation

Despite his age, Luvsandash continues his conservation work. He's training young Mongolians in traditional survey methods while encouraging them to combine this knowledge with modern technology.

"The desert taught me patience and observation," he tells his students. "These skills are just as important as any GPS device."

A model for grassroots conservation

Luvsandash's achievement offers hope for conservation efforts worldwide. His success shows that determined individuals, regardless of age or resources, can create meaningful environmental protection.

"If an 81-year-old man can save over a million acres by walking the desert with a notebook, what excuse do the rest of us have?" asked environmental activist Greta Thunberg, commenting on Luvsandash's win.

Legacy in the sand

As the Asiatic wild asses continue their ancient migrations across the now-protected Eastern Gobi, they follow routes that an old engineer carefully mapped by hand. Luvsandash's footprints may fade from the sand, but his legacy — 1.24 million acres of protected wilderness — will endure for generations.

"I'm just one old man who loves the desert," Luvsandash says modestly. "But sometimes one person paying attention is all it takes to save something precious."