In an article from BBC news, Baikal, the deepest and most biotically fascinating lake in the world due to its myriad endemic species, has become a magnet for tourism of late. Interestingly enough, Baikal is one of the few natural wonders of Russia that has not yet been subjected to industry or develoment (areas such as the Crimea and the Black Sea were not as fortunate), and many feel that development of the lake would lead to detrimental effects on its flora and fauna and to a variety of other environmental problems. Greenpeace and Baikal Environmental Wave have taken measures to evaluate the environmental impacts of tourism on the region. However, as tourism rises, so does clean-up: According to environmentalist Yana Gerkova, an Irkutsk native, there are plenty of strong federal environmental laws, "The problem is that they are not enforced." For a further description of the environmental threats posed by tourism to Baikal, this article describes ever-present problem of the Baikal'sk paper mill, along with a further description of the rise in tourism. Essentially, the increase in tourism menaces the health and environmental well-being of the lake; in order for it to stay as pristine despite the steady increase in tourism, the federal government will have to create tighter laws, or NGOs will have to take tougher action.
However, it can also be argued that tourism at Baikal is beneficial to the region of Buryatia. Grand Baikal, a tourism company that has a partnership with the state electricity firm Irkutsk Energy, is mapping the creation of three new hotels on the west side of the lake, which will in turn create 570 job. In Buryatia, unemployment is rated the worst in Siberia, according to a United Nations study. Since the beginning of development in Baikal, some people have essential utilities for the first time, such as electricity in their homes. Although Baikal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, poverty and unemployment are rampant in the region; promoting tourism in Baikal would help to create more jobs.
The question is, can there be a way to create jobs without polluting or threatening life in the lake and, moreover, the lake itself? It is up to the energy companies and tourism agencies to keep this in mind if development in the region continues.
Old blog about Lake Baikal that hasn't been updated for many years.
Government is Building an oil pipe-line over Baikal. And pollution has already started. But there is a way to keep the lake clean. Tourism must work for ecological purposes. Tourism must be targeted at saving and preserving nature. I hope, that Baikal will not become a fancy resort.
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