Abstract: The Mongols' determination to preserve the balance in nature is rooted in their traditional spiritual belief. Contrary to a predatory use of natural resources, the traditional concept of the Mongolian ecocentrism, namely, their respect for and preservation of the land, mountains, rivers, and trees, may inspire us to reassess our values and revisit some of the basics issues. The contemporary Mongolian literature has established a direction of ecocriticism; Mongolian folklore fosters a sustained practice of understanding and treating nature as living creatures; modern Mongolian poetry has deepened the theme of nature and ecology based on traditions. All the Mongolian poets and their poems, without exception, touch upon the relationship between “man and nature” in the natural landscape of Mongolia, revealing to the reader the world of nature and their place in this world, articulating their insistence on the harmony and coexistence between nature and civilization, and issuing a strong appeal to the common people for environmental protection. In addition to their literary writing, they also have initiated real actions in environmental protection: their resistance blocked a plan for the construction of a chemical plant at Lake Hövsgöl; when the pine forest “Tuzin Nars” in northern Mongolia was damaged, their numerous poems sent a painful warning to the public that “in the long run, there will soon be nothing left,” thus initiating an operation for the restoration of pine forest.

Key words: Mongolian literature, folklore, modern poetry, ecocriticism