On the causes and consequences of environmental restrictions on the Baikal natural territory

Abstract

To preserve Lake Baikal ecosystem, the federal law «On the Protection of Lake Baikal» and numerous state directives on the restriction of economic activities in the Baikal natural territory were adopted. However, the environmental situation in the region continues to deteriorate. From the author’s point of view, the policy of prohibiting and alienating the local population from the rights to nature use cannot be effective. For example, the government decree banning fishing of Baikal omul (Coregonus migratorius), adopted without the necessary scientific justification for all factors affecting the ecosystem of the lake and assessing the socio-economic consequences for the local population, is analyzed. It is noted that the reduction of the spawning herd of omul is most closely connected with the general aridization of the climate in Inner Asia and the decrease in the water content of the main tributaries of the Lake Baikal. It is proposed to change the method of accounting of omul and the places of industrial fishing. Particular attention should be paid to the employment of the local population, which should be interested in the rational use of the natural resources of the native land.