Save Baikal is a project aimed at researching, developing and introducing efficient methods to clean and protect Lake Baikal's coastline. This includes waste management at specially protected areas frequented by tourists. We aim to build cooperation with the public, government and companies to save the unique beauty of one of the most ancient lakes in the world, which is especially endangered in times of growing economic and tourist potential
Lake Baikal attracts thousands of visitors annually who come to see this unique place from all over the world. Tourist inflow has a positive impact on the economic development of the region, but at the same time the ecological situation is increasingly worsening. Absence of an efficient and controllable infrastructure for garbage collection and disposal, negligent treatment of nature, low level of eco-awareness and absence of public control are the main reasons of extreme ecological problems.
This project is built on three bases: creation of necessary infrastructure for collecting and recycling waste, eco-education and the maintenance and revival of ethnic cultures of the Baikal region. Each work season includes a block of 1 day events and a 35 day volunteer camp:Baikal Shore Service (BBS). The BSS volunteers work at the Baikal shores as public inspectors, doing clean up, territory ennoblement, enlightening and patrol work. They also hold eco awareness activities.
Long term we want the environmental conditions of the Baikal Lake to improve through our waste management and public awareness programmes. We want to share the methodology we use widely to help improve other territories, creating awareness through materials that can be distributed to hotels, administration and other interested groups. We want to show the community that every person can make a change but unity in diversity is a great power to bring difference for good.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
