The Government of the Russian Federation has been instructed to review issues pertaining to Russia’s compliance with its commitments on the conservation of Lake Baikal as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site; the review of the activities of the interdepartmental commission on the conservation of Lake Baikal and improvement of its performance; and organisation of the work of oversight authorities in the Baikal Nature Territory.
The instructions for the Government also include improvement of state environmental monitoring of the unique eco-system of Lake Baikal; monitoring the aquatic animal and plant life in Lake Baikal; prevention of and response to risks of upsetting Lake Baikal’s ecosystem; analysis of the reserves and fishing pressure on its biological resources; and measures on the conservation and reproduction of its unique aquatic biological resources.
The Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Irkutsk Region were given joint instructions with the VEB.RF State Development Corporation on eliminating the environmental damage done by the Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Mill.
The governments of the Republic of Buryatia, the Trans-Baikal Territory and Irkutsk Region were instructed to assess the potential impact of tourism on the Baikal Nature Territory and ensure the adoption of amendments to the legislation aimed at reducing negative impact on the environment.
The Prosecutor-General’s Office, jointly with the FSB and the Interior Minister received instructions to make a legal assessment of the activities of the relevant organisations on compliance with legislation on the conservation of Lake Baikal, conduct urgent measures on anti-landslide protection and the elimination of negative ecological consequences, plus the organisation of tourism and recycling of production and consumption waste.