How Mongolian Nomads Use AI Technology to Protect Their Herds from Harsh Climate

Introducing the Hunu Mobile App

According to НВ — Техно: On September 29 at 08:31, it was reported that nomads in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert have started using Hunu, a mobile application developed by 26-year-old Bilgudei Gankhulug. This innovative tool combines artificial intelligence with satellite tracking to safeguard livestock against climate threats and environmental hazards. The app’s creation was driven by the devastating dzud winter of 2024, which caused the death of over 8 million domestic animals due to extreme cold temperatures plunging to -45°C.

Mongolia faces a critical environmental crisis: more than 80% of its land is affected by desertification caused by warming temperatures and overgrazing. Livestock herding remains a vital livelihood for one in four Mongolians, highlighting the sector’s economic importance. However, grassland degradation also endangers native wildlife such as snow leopards and saiga antelopes, according to Chimeddorj Buynaa, WWF Mongolia’s conservation director.

Capabilities of the Hunu App

The Hunu app offers several key features, including:

• Alerts for sandstorms
• Warnings about blizzards
• Data on soil moisture and snow depth

To monitor their animals, Mongolian herders equip their livestock with solar-powered GPS collars. One herder, Ganchimeg, shared,

“Without this GPS navigator, we would have lost our entire herd.”

Desertification in Mongolia is not just a local issue; dust storms originating here reach as far as China, Japan, and even the United States. Munhchuluun Samdan, governor of Dundgovi province, emphasizes that this environmental challenge has become a global concern. The creator of Hunu aims to expand the technology's reach to other Central Asian countries, as well as farmers in Uruguay and Tanzania. This demonstrates the potential of emerging technologies to combat climate change and protect livestock worldwide.

The adoption of the Hunu app by Mongolian nomads highlights how tailored technological solutions can address pressing ecological challenges. Such innovations have the potential to improve the livelihoods of traditional communities while preserving their cultural heritage. If successful, this initiative could serve as a model for other nations grappling with similar environmental threats.