Lake Achit and its surrounding wetlands. 22/03/04; Bayan-Ulgii, Uvs Provinces; 73,730 ha; 49°40'N 090°35'E. Freshwater shallow lakes in the Khovd River basin in western Mongolia, with the Achit Lake being the largest in the Mongolian Altai range. The site, lying in an intermountain basin at 1435m, includes Devel State Nature Reserve to the south (1,030ha). Lakes are frozen from November to May. Important breeding and resting ground for a great variety of waterbirds, many listed in the Mongolian and IUCN Red Books, Red Data Book of Threatened Birds of Asia, CITES and CMS. The site supports more than 1% of the biogeographical population of Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), Black Stork (Ciconia Nigra) and Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), thus fulfilling Criterion 5. Several endemic fishes occur in the lakes. No human settlements lie in the vicinity; the surrounding land is normally used for nomadic stock farming or recreational purposes. The high potential for ecotourism has not been developed so far due to weak infrastructure and the remote location of the area. Ramsar site no. 1376. Most recent RIS information: 2004.