In Mongolia’s dry rangelands, uneven water access concentrated livestock around a few water points, increasing pressure nearby while remote pasture remained underused. At sites in Uvurkhangai, Dornogovi, Sukhbaatar and Tuv aimags, the Sustainable Land Management for Combating Desertification Project linked water-source development with community participation and pasture-management objectives. The solution established 13 engineering wells, restored eight engineering wells and 52 hand wells, and protected 60 natural springs from livestock trampling. These measures improved livestock water access, enabled use of remote pasture and supported haymaking, windbreak and tree-planting sites. By connecting wells and spring protection with pasture planning, agreed use and community responsibility, the approach offers a replicable model for distributing grazing pressure, supporting pastoral livelihoods and strengthening dryland resilience.