On June, 19 Radio Russia broadcasted the program «Different Time» devoted to situation around Baikal seal. The guests of the program were: Natalya Denisova, deputy environmental attorney in North Baikal region; Alla Maltseva, a journalist from Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia; Anastasia Tsetkova, CEO of Lake Baikal Foundation; Christian Rinchinov, a member of Buryatian regional Association on Baikal, associate fellow of UNESCO academic department of Eastern Siberian State University of Management and Technologies.
During the interview Ms. Tsvetkova told that 80% of lake Baikal’s problems are caused by man. The main issue of concern is illegal building on the coast, construction of camping sites and recreation areas without necessary waste treatment facilities. Tourist flow is the main cause of littering and volunteers struggle with this problem. The CEO emphasized that without personal effort of representatives from public, authorities and business it wouldn’t be possible to clean the Baikal and to foster eco-consciousness in people.
Anastasia Tsvetkova also called listeners to look at the lake as at unique and valuable platform for research. Unfortunately, now the scientific interest in Baikal region is pretty low: firstly because of unavailable territory, and secondly because of the lack of available technical equipment.
In the course of the program they also touched upon the topic of Baikal seal. On June, 18, 2018, Lake Baikal Foundation together with A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of RSA held a round table discussion on saving the population of Baikal seal. Currently, scientists, authorities and public pursue this important goal. To achieve this, the endemic species should be counted with non-invasive humane methods and it is also necessary to work out a number of measures to save the animals.
In conclusion, the Foundation’s CEO pointed positive changes in control system over violations against environmental laws on lake Baikal. In 2017 started its work Baikal Interregional Environmental Attorney Office, which makes reports on illegal building, poaching and other issues and cooperates with NGOs.
Photo: Canva