The ecological situation on Baikal Lake

Lake Baikal is a stunning freshwater lake in Siberia that is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. However, human activities have threatened its ecology. Global warming and industrial pollution are major concerns. The Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill caused significant pollution until it closed in 2013, but the toxic waste remains a risk. There is also a controversial law that could allow logging in protected areas until 2030, sparking concerns about the loss of access to the lake and potential personal gain for those involved in the law's creation. Environmental organizations and activists have protested against the law and collected over 100,000 signatures against it. The scientific community also emphasizes the importance of preserving the forests near the lake to protect its water resources and biodiversity. It is crucial to find a balance between development and environmental protection to ensure the long-term preservation of Lake Baikal. Welcome to the podcast about Lake Baikal. Baikal is a lake of breathtaking beauty, a Siberian pearl, the largest body of freshwater on earth, located in eastern Siberia. Its bowl contains a fifth of all European freshwater reserves. Lake Baikal is rich in a unique diversity of fauna. About 2.6 thousand species of flora and fauna live here, two-thirds of which are absolute endemics and are not found anywhere else. Unfortunately, due to destructive human activities in this area, the ecology of this place is under threat. In this issue, we will discuss lake problems such as pollution, habitat destruction and conflicting views on the development of the region. The future of Lake Baikal lies in the struggle to preserve the purity of the water and the unique biodiversity of the lake. Environmental problems on Lake Baikal are largely caused by industrial activity, but this is not the only threat. Key factors that cause the disaster 1. One of the main climatic problems for the lake can be called global warming. Changes in water temperature can have a detrimental effect on the lake's ecosystem, the lives of fish and other organisms are at risk. 2. Due to its uniqueness, the lake attracts many people who want to use it to their advantage. At different times, there were many ideas for exploitation. In the past, there were industrial enterprises on Lake Baikal, perhaps the most famous of which was the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill, BPPM, CJSC, which significantly polluted the water of the lake, chlorine and other toxic substances flowed directly from the plant into the lake. In 2010, the law was amended to allow the plant to continue its activities, residents and environmentalists reacted negatively to these changes. In 2013, the plant was still closed, but not because of the herb requests for the preservation and protection of the lake. No. The plant went bankrupt and ceased to exist, but tanks with toxic waste cannot cease to exist so quickly, at the moment, the waste is still stored on the territory of the former plant. This is due to the fact that environmentalists are concerned about the proposed disposal methods, because all this is located close to the lake, and any mistake can lead to environmental disaster. But the process has started, this cannot but inspire hope. The attempt to pass a law on clear-cutting of forests on Lake Baikal has sparked a major and controversial debate in the field of ecology. The existing law on the protection of Lake Baikal prohibits such logging in the central ecological zone, including its entire water protection zone and adjacent specially protected natural areas. If the bill is adopted, such logging will be allowed in the specified zones until December 31, 2030 for the construction of utility infrastructure, roads, food outlets, as well as until the end of 2035 for other purposes, including the creation of military and civilian burial grounds and planning the boundaries of settlements. It will also be possible to build treatment facilities. The main goal of the law is to give impetus to the development of the region. Arguments in support of the law include the following. 1. In 2017, a fire occurred on the territory of one village, and in order to prevent new fires, it is necessary to create fire breaks, which requires cutting down trees. However, this is now impossible due to restrictions on tree cutting. 2. Local residents faced problems with property registration due to the presence of trees on the plots that cannot be cut down. This prevents the construction of houses and roads. 3. For organized tourism on Lake Baikal, the economic zone Baikal Harbor has been allocated, but to create infrastructure it is necessary to cut down trees. Supporters of the law argue that organized tourism can generate tax revenue, provide jobs, and promote regional development. However, local residents and activists are concerned about the possibility of losing access to the shores of Lake Baikal due to its transfer into private hands. And there are reasons for this. Independent journalistic investigations have found a likely connection between the bill and personal gain. For example, Olga Yakubovskaya owns Baikal Construction and Development Group LLC, which is engaged in the wholesale sale of timber and is the wife of the main co-author of the bill, State Duma Deputy Alexander Yakubovsky. It is worth noting that this company belonged to him before taking office in 2018. Vladimir Yuzhinov, the owner of a tourism business with a half share in two companies, Talisman Baikal and Talisman Sobolenea, is associated with Senator Sergei Brylka, another interested party promoting the bill. Unexpectedly, it was Talisman Sobolenea that found itself close to the largest area of the logging bill. In addition, Talisman Baikal announced plans to build a five-star hotel right on the shore of the lake. Regarding concerns related to the development, you can note comments from the newspaper The Moscow Times. People come to Baikal for wild nature and unique culture, they don't want to see a big hotel and a concrete embankment there. A unique territory that attracts people in the first place is being destroyed, Rychinov told the Moscow Times. But it was not possible to achieve unity in the State Duma. For example, one of the members Vyacheslav Fedosov spoke as follows. The bill comes into direct conflict with the principles of protection of the Baikal natural territory. The bill contains a number of serious risks for environmental safety and the preservation of the unique ecosystem of Lake Baikal. In particular it is aimed at a significant increase in clear cutting of forests as well as the transfer of forest fund lands and land categories in the central ecological zone of Lake Baikal. The adoption of the bill caused a great public outcry and representatives of environmental organizations fear possible abuses, as a result of which the anthropogenic load on the Baikal ecosystem could increase significantly. Before Greenpeace was recognized as an undesirable organization, Alexander Yakubovsky sought to close this organization. They were active in protecting the lake, such as repeatedly organized rallies and protests against the bill. So thanks to them, a group of activists came out with posters chanting, Save Baikal, and no to clear cutting. More significant actions were the circulation of petitions against the adoption of the bill, thanks to which they collected more than 100,000 signatures on the petition for the state Duma. The scientific community is also concerned about the situation at the lake. Thus, the Russian Academy of Sciences is conducting scientific activities to prove that now it is necessary to pay great attention to monitoring the situation on the lake, repeatedly stating the need to preserve forests near Lake Baikal as an important element in protecting the water resources and natural diversity of the lake. In conclusion, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of finding a balance between regional development and environmental protection. Decisions made today will have long-term consequences for Lake Baikal and its inhabitants. We must strive for sustainable development that will preserve the lake's unique ecosystem for future generations. The fight for the cleanliness and future of Lake Baikal continues, and it is important to stay up to date with the latest news and take an active part in protecting this amazing body of water. We thank you for your attention and encourage everyone to take part in preserving this unique natural site.