Russia Publishes Cleanup, Sustainable Development Plan for Lake Baikal Region

摘要

The Russian government has published an urgent action plan for the polluted Lake Baikal region that calls for cleaning up mine tailings, reclaiming mined land, eliminating accumulated waste, constructing waste treatment plants, and establishing a comprehensive monitoring program in the years 2012-2020. The comprehensive plan, published Sept. 6, is a reaction to the lake possibly losing its UNESCO World Heritage status due to its deteriorating ecological status. Lake Baikal is the world's single biggest source of freshwater, containing 20 percent of total liquid global supply. The water protection zone covered by the plan extents 200 kilometers (125 miles) to the west and northwest of the lake.