Открой Байкал!

European Green Party
12th COUNCIL MEETING
Barcelona, 19th-21st March 2010
Adopted resolution

On the 15th of March 2010 Russian prime – minister Putin supported the decision to restart of Baikal Pulp-and-Paper Industrial Complex. All critics from environmentalists and greens he called “hysteria and political speculations”.

Two billion people in 80 countries are limited in consumption of fresh water today. According to expert estimations 48 countries with population of tree billion people will meet a deficit of fresh water in the year 2025. That is why it is difficult to overrate a role of the lake Baikal and surrounding territories as a unique natural factory which reproduces strategic reserves of the freshest water. Baikal contains more than 80% of drinking water in Russia and 20% of the World fresh water supply. The lake is under protection of UNESCO.

On the eve of World Heritage Day the Coalition of Russian and international non-governmental organizations “For Baikal!” that includes 45 Russian NGOs sent the following appeal to UNESCO conserning World Heritage Site - Lake Baikal.

To: Mrs. Irina Bokova
Director General
UNESCO

Dear Mrs. Bokova!

Dear Sirs!

Experts estimate that by 2025 populations of 48 countries, or 3 billion people, will face a deficit of fresh water. Today 2 billion people in 80 countries already do not have sufficient access to drinking
water. At the same time fresh water contained in glaciers and icebergs not only remains inaccessible, but may be lost in the near future due to the global rise in ocean temperatures.

Lake Baikal is a unique natural phenomenon, source of more than 20% of the planet’s surface fresh water. On inclusion of Lake Baikal into the list of World Natural Heritage Sites, the government of the Russian Federation was given special recommendations by the UNESCO Committee: 1) irrevocable passing of a Federal

Siberian scientists appeal to Putin not to allow the restart of Baikal Pulp Mill.

From: Russian Academy of Sciences  
Siberian Branch
Irkutsk Scientific Centre                        

On March 10, 2010 a group of Russian environmental NGOs announced launch of a Coalition and a sign-up campaign to send a petition to UNESCO to protect Lake Baikal.