Russian Government Decides to Close Pulp, Paper Mill Polluting Lake Baikal

摘要

The Russian government has decided to close a paper mill that hasbeen discharging toxic effluent into Lake Baikal, the world's oldest and deepest lake and largest source of freshwater, a senior government official said. Vice Premier Arkady Dvorkovich announced the decision Feb. 27 at the All Russia Foresters Forum, along with a plan to open several new timber processing plants in surrounding regions and take steps to combat illegal logging. The Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill will be closed in a gradual fashion through 2015, Dvorkovich said, according to state media reports. Lake Baikal is a World Heritage Site, but that status is threatened by the continuing operation of the paper mill on its shore.