Planting Fruit and Windbreak Trees in Erdene to Prevent Desertification
Approximately 47,000 Trees Planted Over 16 Years Since 2010
On October 17, OB Beer announced that it had carried out a tree-planting activity at the 'Cass Forest of Hope' located in the Erdene region of Mongolia, in collaboration with the international environmental organization Green Asia.
Since 2010, OB Beer has been conducting the 'Cass Forest of Hope' afforestation project in the Erdene district of Tuv Province, Mongolia, together with Green Asia, in an effort to prevent desertification caused by climate change. This marks the 16th consecutive year of the project. To date, approximately 47,000 trees have been planted, contributing to the reduction of yellow dust.
OB Beer Volunteer Group is taking a commemorative photo after completing the tree planting volunteer activity for the 'Cass Forest of Hope' in celebration of Mongolia's Arbor Day. [Photo by OB Beer]
Over the past 100 years, the average temperature in Mongolia has risen by 2.45 degrees Celsius, and 76.9% of the country has been affected by desertification. As a result, yellow dust and fine particulate matter originating in Mongolia pass through industrial complexes in China, carrying pollutants that impact Korea.
This year, in celebration of Mongolia's Arbor Day (the second Saturday of October each year), about 30 people-including Green Asia officials, Mongolian university student volunteers, and local residents-participated in a two-day volunteer activity on October 11 and 12. They planted and watered 375 vitamin tree saplings in the area surrounding the 'Cass Forest of Hope.'
This afforestation project not only aims to prevent desertification but also supports the economic independence of Mongolian environmental refugees who have lost their livelihoods due to desertification. OB Beer provides local residents with jobs cultivating vitamin trees and helps them generate income by processing and selling the harvested fruits as juice, tea, jam, and cosmetics.
An OB Beer representative stated, "The Cass Forest of Hope afforestation project is a practical environmental improvement initiative that revives Mongolia's ecosystem and supports the self-reliance of climate refugees whose homes have been destroyed. As OB Beer's flagship environmental campaign, we will continue to actively address climate change issues with ongoing interest and effort."
In 2023, OB Beer received a plaque of appreciation from a Mongolian environmental refugee village in recognition of its contributions to environmental restoration and refugee self-reliance. In addition, the 'Cass Forest of Hope' was recognized as an exemplary environmental model for climate change response and desertification prevention, and received the 'Land for Life Award' from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 2014.
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