What Country Is Lake Baikal In?
Lake Baikal is the deepest and oldest lake in the world, situated in the southeastern region of Russia, just north of Mongolia. Known as the ‘Pearl of Siberia’, the vast freshwater lake contains over one-fifth of the world’s liquid fresh water and contains a unique ecosystem.
Spanning 6,300km length and an average depth of nearly 1,700 meters (5,577 ft.), Lake Baikal holds more water than all five American Great Lakes combined. It is estimated to be between 25 and 30 million years old and it is one of the most biodiverse sites in the world, containing 1,700 animal species and 1,000 plants species.
The lake is bounded by several mountain ranges and over 300 rivers and streams flow into the lake. The Ushkan Islands, the most famous feature of the lake, are a stunning archipelago of uninhabited islands. There are some people who live on the shores of the lake, mainly in rural settlements, engaged in traditional fishing and agriculture.
The lake and surroundings form part of the Baikal National Park and were declared part of the UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996, due to its amazing beauty and unique biodiversity. Today traditional use of the park’s resources is balanced with conservation and tourism, to ensure the ancient lake survives and flourishes in this modern world.
The lake is home to some of the world’s rare species. There are the Baikal fish, which can live in temperatures as low as -1.6℃, as well as the freshwater seal. The seal, also known as the Nerpa, was thought to be endemic to Lake Baikal, as it exists nowhere else in the world. Unfortunately, with freshwater seals being illegally hunted, their population continues to decline.
The lake has several distinct hydrologic properties, making it an essetial component in the Siberian climate. For example, it acts as a buffer, absorbing the weight of the towering mountain ranges to the north and creating a stable climate for the surrounding region.
High levels of concentration of hydrogen sulphide, methane and carbon dioxide, as well as complex organisms, give the lake its characteristic turqoise color. There is even a popular notion that some undiscovered creature lives in the lake, although this has not been conclusively proved.
History of Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal was formed by the rift valley which developed during the Cenozoic era. Over 6 million years ago tectonic activity caused the valley to separate and the surrounding mountains began to slide towards one another. Over time, the valley filled with water and the lake began to form.
The first people to settle near Lake Baikal were the Buryat tribes, the ethnic Mongolian people whose descendants still call the region their home. They were pastoralists, fishing and hunting in the region and worshipped the lake as a spiritual place. They built many wood shrines and temples on the lake’s slopes and islands, as well as across the region.
In the 18th century, the lake was explored by Russian Cossacks and the Russian government declared the lake an important economic region. It was used for fishery and transportation, which still continues today. In the 19th century, the Trans-Siberian railway was built, paving the way for tourism to the area.
In the 20th century, it became a popular tourist destination, with hundreds of thousands of people visiting every year. Now with eco-tourism becoming popular, there are a growing number of initiatives to conserve the lake’s ecology.
Environmental Measures to Protect Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal faces a variety of environmental threats, from population growth and urbanization, to climate change and pollution. But fortunately, several measures have been taken to protect this iconic eco-system and cultural heritage site, such as the introduction of a ‘clean water law’ to reduce water borne pollutants released into the lake.
Another measure is the plan to adopt strict punishments for illegal fishing, with the introduction of a ‘zero limit’ policy meaning fishing of endemic fish species, such as the omul, is completely banned. There have also been plans to launch an ecotourism pilot project to encourage sustainable tourism to the region.
The most important measure, however, is the establishment of protected areas. The protected areas cover over 6 million hectares of surrounding land, with the goal of protecting and conserving the habitat of rare species, as well as to reduce deforestation and pollution in the region.
These measures have gone a long way in preserving and protecting the habitats of the lake, although more needs to be done to ensure the lake’s future. A number of local, national and international organizations are actively raising awareness of the lake’s importance and taking part in conservation efforts aimed at preserving Lake Baikal.
Seva local communities and sustainable production
Yelena Kiryushina founded a sustainable development centre in 2013 in the village of Seva, on the banks of Lake Baikal. The centre’s goal is to help protect Lake Baikal and to raise awareness of sustainable development and environmental responsibility. Since then, the centre has been promoting sustainable livelihoods in local communities.
The organisation works with local communities to develop an eco-responsible environment and promote economic opportunities through initiatives such as sustainable forestry, organic farming and energy efficiency. These initiatives support local communities, while helping to protect the lake’s ecosystems and promote economic sustainability in the region.
In addition to these initiatives, the centre has also been running environmental education programmes to promote environmental awareness among local communities and to engage people in conservation efforts. They have organised workshops, training and field trips to help local communities understand the affects of climate change on the lake and to teach them how to protect it.
The initiative has become a model for sustainable development in the area, with other villages following suit in implementing similar sustainable development initiatives. These projects demonstrate how local communities can be empowered to protect the environment and their livelihoods, and how to use the lake in a sustainable way.
Conservation of the lake
The conservation of Lake Baikal is paramount, as the lake is one of the most important global freshwater reserves and provides habitat for a variety of rare and endemic species. To this end, the lake and its surrounding region have been protected, through initiatives such as the establishment of the Baikal National Park.
Since 1996, the lake and its surrounding region have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. This designation provides additional protection to the lake and ensures better management of the surrounding lands with the aim of preserving the lake’s unique biodiversity and integrity.
Other initiatives have also been set in motion to protect the lake and its ecosystem. These include the Baikal 30% Initiative, which aims to set aside 30% of the total area of Lake Baikal for nature conservation. Other initiatives aim to limit the use of private and industrial land use and to reduce pollution to protect the lake from potential risks.
The conservation of Lake Baikal is an international effort, with support from both regional and international organizations. In addition to this, the region has also been declared a ‘green corridor’, a natural and cultural landmark, with the goal of preserving the lake and its unique environment.
Lake baikal 2020: threats and prospects
The 2020 Lake Baikal report has revealed a number of threats to the lake, but also holds out hope for its future. Air pollution, mining and urbanisation pose the greatest threat to the lake, with a survey showing that more than 365,000 tonnes of hazardous waste are dumped into the lake annually, making it one of the most polluted lakes in the world.
A recent workshop held in Moscow also revealed that climate change is having a significantly negative impact on Lake Baikal and its ecosystem. With rising temperatures, water levels in the lake have decreased significantly, causing a drop in water quality.
In addition to this, there is a growing pressure to exploit the resources of the lake in various ways, such as the construction of the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a launch site for space vehicles. The site is near the Tazovsky Nature Reserve, an important breeding ground for sturgeon, and has caused concern among environmentalists as to its potential effects on the lake.
But while the future of the lake is uncertain, there are still hopeful signs. The recently adopted ‘Federal Laws on Baikal’, which aim to protect and preserve the lake, provide optimism for a sustainable future for Lake Baikal. Likewise, the public’s increasing awareness of the lake’s importance is seen as a positive step towards preserving this unique and precious ecosystem.
Conclusion
Lake Baikal is one of the most beautiful and biodiverse places on earth, and its conservation is essential for future generations. The lake faces a variety of threats, from pollution and climate change, to resource exploitation and urbanisation. But, with the public becoming increasingly aware of the lake’s importance, there is still hope for its future.
