Results

During the 4-years period of implementation of the GEF Lake Baikal Project the significant results have been achieved and appreciated by the governments of Russia and Mongolia. The film reveals the meaning and significance of the project efforts, describes specific events and important milestones, reports about the activities undertaken, new initiatives and published documents. The viewer should get a complete picture of the goals, objectives, sense of the project activities in transboundary water basin of Lake Baikal.

All results are available in three languages ​​and are part of a single knowledge base, opened to all interested parties after the end of the project. The project prepared and published dozens of brochures, books and guidelines that have filled libraries of various organizations in Russia and Mongolia and have become the basis of current knowledge about the ecosystem of Lake Baikal.

View on YouTube (Russian): https://youtu.be/vVPA_lF5REE

View on YouTube (English): https://youtu.be/9SKCHhkBpQI

View on YouTube (Mongolian): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46mi4x6stNw&feature=youtu.be

Download film (Russian): https://yadi.sk/i/pzTbnrwfk6L7q

Download film (English): https://yadi.sk/i/xkZILXRik5fxw

Download film (Mongolian): https://yadi.sk/i/nfQhSSL3kadfR

View short version on YouTube (Russian): https://youtu.be/f6CcyD4bYiA

View short version on YouTube (English): https://youtu.be/jMxaLLe_JKk

Report: http://baikal.iwlearn.org/ru/proekt-1/rezultaty-i-otchety/086 - Investing in Baikal- film.pdf/view

In 2015 the Russian and Mongolian experts completed two-year work on the Strategic Action Programme (SAP) under the direction of environmental ministries of the Russian Federation and Mongolia.

The Strategic Action Programme was endorsed by the governments of Russia and Mongolia in October 2015.

SAP aims to mitigate threats to the ecosystem of Lake Baikal basin. This program includes the Russian-Mongolian joint actions to strengthen the protection of the ecosystem of Lake Baikal Basin.

The program is also an important final stage of the Baikal Project.
SAP provides a framework for coordinated policy actions to protect biodiversity and natural resources of the Lake Baikal transboundary basin. Threats to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems of the Baikal Basin have been identified and ranked by Russia and Mongolia in the development process of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis. This SAP provides a systematic approach to the control and prevention of such threats through a process of technical and strategic actions taken by the Governments of Mongolia and Russia.

Download the SAP (English)

Download the SAP (Russian)

Download the SAP (Mongolian)

One of the essential works is the development and production of Russian-Mongolian "The Ecological Atlas of the Baikal basin", which consists of 132 maps with different environmental information. The Atlas combines the latest information about the nature, resources and status of territories of the Lake Baikal watershed. It will help to solve many economic and environmental objectives and to justify the direction of ecologically balanced, harmonious and sustainable territorial development of the region. Atlas is published in three languages: Russian, Mongolian and English.

The Ecological Atlas of the Baikal Basin (Eng)

The Ecological Atlas of the Baikal Basin (Rus)

The Ecological Atlas of the Baikal Basin (Mng)

Faculty of Geography of Moscow State University created a database for modeling of pollutants transport into the waters of the Lake Baikal basin. On this basis setting up of the model of pollution transport and water balance in the Lake Baikal basin has been made.

As the final step of this work, the predictive assessment of long-term water balance changes in the transboundary basin of Selenga was prepared in terms of climatic fluctuations and changes in the characteristics of water usage.

The solution of these problems allows carrying out early and timely notification to alert downstream users about the cases of threats of distribution of contaminants to prevent them and to take the necessary security measures. The model is able to predict the changes in hydrological characteristics under different anthropogenic loads on the Lake Baikal basin, as well on the lake itself, which is a World Heritage Site.

Download report 085 - Water balance projection

The purpose of this work was to study the physical, chemical and biological processes in the Selenga River delta in the regime of monitoring and evaluation of water quality in the modern period. The modern methods were used to determine the chemical composition, the sanitary-microbiological and hydrobiological state of fresh water.

As a result of the research obtained the data characterizing the formation of the Selenga River runoff in the lower reaches, the spatial dynamics of pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, organic matter, main ions, heavy metals, bacterial plankton and phytoplankton have been defined in the water of the main ducts of the Selenga river Delta. The quality of water has been estimated using chemical, sanitary, microbiological and hydro biological parameters.

Download final report

Download the third annual report

A state environmental service was established on Lake Baikal in 1917. In modern time, there are the largest reserves and national parks of the country. The documentary "Baikal reserve" represents the history and modern achievements of the Baikal biosphere reserve, which became a pioneer in the development of ecological tourism in Russia.

The film was made for demonstration to the guests of the Baikal nature reserve, showing at national and international events and meetings. It presents the history and the present of the country's largest nature reserve. The film was made in the short and full versions in English and Russian.

View (Russian):   https://youtu.be/dKMnkx0_18c

View (English):    https://youtu.be/SpSA_MR6G54

The project prepared and published the Russian version of the guide to developing sustainable tourism in protected areas.

It contains ideas, case studies, guidelines and tips to help conservation, businesses, host communities and visitors all become winners. This manual is an initiative of ECEAT International, the European Centre for Eco and Agro Tourism in partnership with the EuropArC Federation. The manual was produced by EuropArC Consulting GmbH, ECEAT – projects and Lauku Ceļotājs, the Latvian Country Tourism Association.

This book is a practical manual on how to develop and manage tourism in protected areas. It is for all those responsible for the management of protected areas as tourism destinations. These include not only protected-area managers but also local authorities, tourism promotion agencies and tourism business associations. It focuses on protected areas that are in an early stage of their tourism development and wish to do this in a well-planned and sustainable manner.

Download “Practical, profitable, protected” in Russian

This work was performed as part of the Lake Baikal project component 3.3, for protected area “Zapovednoe Pribaikal’e”, which consists of the Baikal-Lena protected area and national park. The purpose of this study was the inclusion of controls ecosystem health and biodiversity in the planning organization of tourism, creation of conditions for the development of ecotourism in the reserve that is compatible with biodiversity.

It has produced compatible with biodiversity ecotourism plan for cape Khoboy (unique tourist site on Olkhon island, Lake Baikal, within the territory of Pribaikalsky National Park), set viewing platform developed information signs.

As part of the work, on the sand-bank "Khanhoyskaya" small reservation was created to preserve populations of rare plants included in the Red List of Irkutsk Oblast (2010).

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The project "Save Baikal" has been supported by the Lake Baikal project. From June to September 2015 it included a wide range of educational and practical activities, such as work on cleaning, monitoring of areas, educational events among the local population and visitors.

As part of 2015 season of "Save Baikal" the works included cleaning up the shores of Lake Baikal and Selenga, including 4 areas, covering a total of 140 km of coastline and the forest zone (Irkutsk region, Buryatia, Mongolia), as well as a number of related activities.
During the season 2015 the area of ​​about 5 square kilometers has been cleaned.

The length of shoreline cleaned: Irkutsk region: 40km, Republic of Buryatia: 80 km, Selenga: 2 km, Mongolia: 4 km. It was collected more than 1,000 cubic meters of garbage (1300 bags of 200 liters each + other garbage).

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The project supported the Russian-Mongolian meetings in Mongolia, dedicated to various issues of management of transboundary water resources.

1) The Russian-Mongolian meeting to exchange information on the assessment  of environmental impact of the project of Shuren hydroelectric station and other hydro-technical utilities on Selenga (30-31 March 2015).

2) The meeting of the Joint Working Group on the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Mongolia on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Waters (28-29 April 2015).

3) The Meeting of Plenipotentiaries of the Russian and Mongolian governments on the implementation of the Russian and Mongolian inter-governmental Agreement on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Waters (28-31 October 2015).

Being developed in 2013, the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Lake Baikal basin ecosystem threats was a basis for development of the 2014 Strategic Action Program (SAP), which includes joint Russian-Mongolian actions for strengthening of the Lake Baikal basin ecosystem protection. By now a draft SAP has been developed by joint efforts of Russian and Mongolian experts and has been submitted to the Ministry of nature resources of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of environment and green development of Mongolia. That draft SAP defines conception and strategic goals and objectives of the Program, as well as determines 6 basic components, including:

- protection, restoration and sustainable management of main water and terrestrial habitats;

- pollution reduction and water quality improvement;

- rational use of fish, hunting and other wild nature resources;

- control and prevention of biological invasions;

- adaption to climate change consequences;

- natural disaster readiness.

Strategic objectives (in total 16) are defined for each component. There are strategic actions and key indicators to objectives performance.

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The following reports on works done in 2013 were published and distributed among stakeholders: “Groundwater Resources in Shallow Transboundary Aquifers in the Baikal Basin: Current Knowledge, Protection and Management”, Pollution threat assessment in the Kharaa River basin.

Download Kharaa river report

Download Report Lake Baikal - ENG

Download Report Lake Baikal - RUS

Download Report Lake Baikal - MON

The Ider and Eg Rivers sub-basin management plans were developed in 2013 and got approval from the Ministry of Environment and Green Development in 2014. Plans and educational materials have been published; training workshops for sums’ and aimaks’ administrations and water management have been conducted.

Ider sub-basin plan

Eg sub-basin plan

Orkhon-Selenga plan

The Project supports annual water quality monitoring on chemical, microbiological and hydrobiological indicators in the Selenga River delta.

2014 showed extremely low water flow of the Selenga River with biogenic substances and dissolved oxygen content not exceeding set regulation value. There were increased concentrations of heavy metals in surface waters of the 2014 summer period. High concentration of microorganisms, including potentially pathogenic microflora, indicates low level of water quality and necessity of limitations of water use in recreational purposes.

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Adaptation of methodology of pollution hot spots identification in the transboundary Lake Baikal basin was finalized by experts and approved in 2014 by the working group within the scope of Agreement between governments of the Russian Federation and Mongolia on protection and use of transboundary waters. The methodology is available in Russian, English and Mongolian.

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Download report (Mng)

Learning and teaching guide in Russian “Ecology and law on Baikal. Experience and practice” for environment protection inspectors has been developed and published. Series of training seminars (20-30 visitors per each seminar) for environment protection inspectors of the Baikal nature territory have been held.

The guide includes the following parts: goals and objectives of environment inspectors; specifics of ecological inspection in the Baikal nature territory; analysis of law enforcement practice; State control of wastes circulation and measures to improvement; subsoil use control in the sphere of widespread mineral resources and measures to improvement; water protection legislation compliance; protection, control and regulation of use of animals which are ranked as hunting objects; measures to monitoring, reproduction and use of animal world objects.

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Data base for modeling of pollutants transport in the Selenga river basin has been created, as well as setting of the model of pollutants transport and water balance in the Lake Baikal basin, basing on the data base, has been developed. For pollutants transport modeling along the length of water systems, programs and methods necessary for task solution have been chosen and specialized program module has been elaborated. Solution of this task enables to conduct early and timely warning of users, who are downstream, about strong threats of transportable pollutants for purposes of prevention and necessary protection measures.

Within the scope of work the following objectives have been achieved:

• Conduction of trainings using the premises of Baikal Institute of nature management (Russia) and Institute of hydrology and meteorology (Mongolia) for acquaintance with principles of HEC-RAS, WEAP model work and necessary skills of ArcGIS.
• Calibration and verification of one-dimensional hydrodynamic model (HEC-RAS) for chosen key parts of river net.
• Calibration and verification of WEAP for the Lake Baikal basin.
• Development of expert-analytical system of chemical element transfer down the Selenga River.
• Installation of program complex HEC-RAS, WEAP and developed models on computers of Baikal Information Centre in Mongolia and Russia.
• Visualization of scenario results of river net reaction forecast and water balance calculation published on Baikal Information Centre web-site.

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In 2012 harmonized program of water quality in the Selenga River basin was developed by Russian Hydrochemical Institute and Mongolian Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, and endorsed by governments of both countries (Russia and Mongolia), what enables to work out unified approaches to ensuring of control system of analytical procedures quality between Russia and Mongolia.

In 2014 the second phase of intercalibration of measurement methods of the following was carried out: microelements (arsenic, cadmium, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, aluminum), cations (lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, ammonium), anions (fluorides, chlorides, bromides, nitrites, nitrates, phosphates, sulphates), petroleum products and chemical oxygen demand. Measurements of only five indicators, such as hardness, calcium, phosphates, sulphates and chlorides, out of all data obtained from the Mongolian laboratories can be regarded as reliable and compatible with the Russian data. Training workshops have been held in Ulan-Ude for Mongolian specialists on methodology issues of surface waters and measurement quality control with the purpose of implementing of more selective and sensitive measurement methods of: microelements (arsenic, cadmium, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, aluminum), cations (lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium), anions (fluorides, nitrates, phosphates, sulphates). Also, a new high value equipment has been bought and present available equipment has been modernized (ion chromatograph and lamps for analysis of heavy metals by means of atom absorption) for Mongolian Central Laboratory in Ulaanbaatar.

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On June 15-21, 2014 Federal Supervision Agency for Customer Protection and Human Welfare in the Republic of Buryatia, Central administration of specialized inspection,  Federal Budget Institution of Health «Centre of hygiene and epidemiology» with the participation of East-Siberian Scientific Centre of human ecology (Angarsk) held the international expedition works on organization of sanitary-epidemiological monitoring of transboundary water objects in the Republic of Buryatia and Mongolia.

The works were done within the scope of realization of intergovernmental program “Assessment of risk to human health from pollution of transboundary waters on the territory of the Russian Federation and Mongolia”, which was approved on the 6^th Plenipotentiary meeting of Russian and Mongolian governments on realization of the Transboundary waters protection and use Agreement between Russia and Mongolia.

The following objectives have been achieved:

• The harmonization of methods and techniques of water laboratory control by sanitary-epidemiological indicators;
• The enhancement of sanitary-epidemiological monitoring programs of transboundary rivers, sampling points and sampling frequency;
• Conducting of joint water sampling on transboundary rivers (Selenga, Orhon, Tuul , Kyahtinka, Lake Baikal) to ensure results comparability on microbiological, virological and parasitological parameters by employees of departments of both countries, responsible for implementation of the program;
• Holding of joint workshop for employees of departments of both countries, responsible for implementation of the program and scientific experts in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), on the methodological issues of measurements procedures and sampling procedures;

Development of action plan for implementation of the program for epidemiological risk assessment to human health from pollution of transboundary waters of the Selenga River in the Republic of Buryatia and Selenge aimag.

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In 2014 the joint Russian-Mongolian assessment on creation and publication of unique “Ecological atlas of the Baikal basin” was finished. The atlas consists of more than 150 different nature resource and nature protection maps, which cover the territory of the basin in Russia and Mongolia.

The maps are posted and available in interactive regime on web-site of the Baikal information centre.

The Ecological atlas of the Lake Baikal basin was created for integration of modern data and knowledge about main factors of ecological condition formation in the Lake Baikal basin, as well as about modern condition of environment. The atlas shows those data and knowledge in forms which are appropriate enough for solving of economically and ecologically balanced development problems of the Baikal region. While creation of the atlas the following data and methods were used: the newest achievements of atlas mapping, GIS-technologies, methods of remote sensing, frequently supplemented and updated base of thematic spatial data and the database located in Institute of geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS, Irkutsk), Limnological Institute (RAS, Irkutsk), Institute of earth crust (RAS, Irkutsk), Baikal Institute of nature management (RAS, Ulan-Ude), Institute of nature resources, ecology and cryology (RAS, Chita), Institute of geography of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences (Ulaanbaatar). Creation of atlas required integrated study of ecological problems and situations from both territorial and content views. Combination of nature resource, biotic, economic, social and demographical factors was possible thanks to target developed complex program of digital mapping, which was considered as a procedure of preparation of objective and accessible information about territorial objects for solving of branch and integral ecological mapping tasks.

Within the scope of work the following main steps of atlas creation were set: compilation of map basis, data collection for development of subject content of maps, digitization of necessary subject layers of maps, formation of subject data bases, development of projects in GIS-shell conditions, map grouping, etc. The electronic atlas mapping of the Baikal basin was developed in two basic scale levels: 1: 5 000 000 for maps of nature factors and 1: 6 000 000 for maps of socio-economic factors of ecological condition formation. The data base and its subject scope depended on character of mapped effects and processes, modern condition and existence of certain nature, resource, economic, social, demographic, ecological, etc. problems of nature management.

Structurally the atlas consists of seven blocks – introductory and six subjects:

1)      Nature conditions of ecological condition formation; 2) resource factors of ecological condition formation; 3) socio-economic factors of ecological condition formation; 4) transformation of environment; 5) medical ecological condition; 6) environment protection; 7) ecological condition of the Baikal basin.

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Within the scope of developed BIC data and information exchange protocol for Russia and Mongolia, based on conception and informational structure of BIC, the Baikal basin data have been collected and uploaded to BIC portal (section – Documents).

“Report on environment condition in the Lake Baikal basin 2012-2013” has been prepared. All sections of the portal have been updated: Documents, News, Atlas, Monitoring, Modeling and Friends. The Atlas section has maps, which were created within the scope of the Baikal Project activity – “Ecological atlas of the Lake Baikal basin”. Besides, all maps have been posted on the BIC website using IW: LEARN GeoNote Map Server: http://geonode.iwlearn.org/. All information has been published in English, Mongolian and Russian. In January 2015 the report 2012-2013 will be published in English, Mongolian and Russian.

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Within the scope of work implementation the following objectives have been achieved:

• Analysis of archived materials from executive bodies, literature and cartographical sources, local public opinion survey;
• Analysis of remotely sensed data of Barguzinsky and Kurumkansky districts;
• Support of veterinary control inspection of Buryatia in soil sampling for microbiological analyses, using remotely sensed data from selected places;
• Carrying out of soil samples microbiological analysis in government licensed laboratories for identification of anthrax strains and other special danger infection.

Specific deliverables:

According to the remotely sensed data and analysis two anthrax cattle mortuaries, which need special conservation for prevention of possible infection outbreak, have been identified.

Within the scope of the pilot project implementation, using the example of Nikolsky coal mine, the following main objectives have been achieved:

• Selection of the site for mining, determining the dangerous pollution sources and their negative impact on environment;
• Carrying out of expedition research with water and bottom sediment sampling and analysis to determine background content of pollutants in the future mining area;
• According to the analysis results the level of anthropogenic impact on ecological condition of the researched area can be estimated as satisfactory.

• Consideration of processing of coal to activated carbon and carbonic sorbent, which have priority significance for water purification system, as well as methods of activated carbon production. According to performer of this work, main method of utilization of overburden rock solid waste while coal extraction is their use in building industry.

Estimation of possible impact on environment and biodiversity during planned mine exploitation.

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With the purpose of eco-tourism potential enhancement in the Baikal State Reserve the eco-tourist plan has been developed. The plan has been approved by management of the reserve and leading tour-operators of Buryatia and Irkutskaya oblastj. The complex tourist product has been presented in Russian and English, including description and content, technological and financial maps of the tour, photo and video presentation of each tour. Design and information structure of the tourist website of the reserve have been worked out basing on created tourist plan.

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Building of observation deck and eco-trail to seasonal haul of the Baikal seal has been finished on one of the Ushkanii islands in the Zabaikalsky national park. The observation deck is also accessible for disabled people.

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With the purpose of eco-tourism potential enhancement in the Zabaikalsky national park the reconnaissance of recreational part “Sorozhya bay” has been done, the conception of that recreational part and draft projects of small architectural forms, observation deck, toilet, tourist camp, tent site have been developed. The recreational part “Sorozhya bay” has been equipped. In 2015 the project will be continued. Information name plates and materials for tourists will be worked out and produced.

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In 2014 Baikal information center “Gran” within the scope of the UNDP-BonAqua Project “Every drop matters” completed work on English version of learning kit “Baikal treasure” for pupils of junior and medium age.

With the support of the Lake Baikal Project a seminar for teachers of Mongolia has been organized in Ulaanbaatar and 50 kits in English and 10 kits in Russian, as well as disks with movie “Baikal without boundaries” in Russian and Mongolian have been handed to the participants. Besides this, international seminar “Ecological education on lakeside territories: experience and innovative technologies”, dedicated to presentation of English version of the “Baikal treasure”, has been held.

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Work of public organization “Center of ecological and social project development” on Lake Baikal and Selenga shoreline cleanup was supported. There were the following activities: 5–6 April 2014 – Pure Ice (Irkutskaya oblastj, Listvyanka and territory of ferry crossing to the Olkhon island); 12 April 2014 – Pure Ice (the Republic of Buryatia within the scope of “Baikal fishing” activity); 15 July – 15 August 2014 – Patrol and nature protection camp “Baikal Shoreline Patrol”; 7 August 2014 – All-Russian cleaning on the Selenga River «Clean shore of Selenga» (Ulan-Ude); 25 August – 6 September 2014 – “Source of Baikal” – expedition to Mongolia to Khuvsgul lake.

Totally within the 2014 season the organizers of the “Save Baikal” Project held 11 activities, moved across 17000 km. About 500 volunteers took part in the activities, the working territory made up 100 square km. More than 2000 packs of waste (as well as oversized garbage) were gathered, a base for the Baikal Shoreline Patrol work enhancement was prepared and a 2015-2017 nature protection work plan was compiled.

Cleanup campaign of Eg riverside territory on Khuvsgul lake, with attraction of local population, was organized in Mongolia on 8-14 November 2014. The campaign took place near Alag-Erden and Khatgal sums with participation of 50 volunteers including teachers and students o ecological clubs.

10 units of transport (6 trucks, 1 big tractor, a small tractor and 2 automobiles) were involved. As a result, 11 hectares of riverside territory was cleaned and closed containers for garbage were set.

Besides, different trainings and seminars for local inhabitants were held.

Download report (Baikal, Selenga)

Download report (Khuvsgul, Eg)

The extensive review and updating of the preliminary Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of 2008 was finalized in 2013. Updated TDA additionally includes specific studies like climate change assessment, groundwater pollution risks and ground / surface water intermixing, Selenga Delta study and etc.

The Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis was printed in Russian, Mongolian and English.

Download TDA document (English)

• · Proposal of policy recommendations for sustainable integrated management of transboundary groundwater and surface water resources based on holistic, multidisciplinary, trans-sectoral and environmentally sound approaches with the scope to incorporate them into country National Water Master Plan.
• · Enhancement of role of Russian – Mongolian transboundary water commission unit and address proposals for sound development, exploitation and protection of transboundary groundwater resources in shallow aquifers to minimize potential international conflicts and competing demands for groundwater resources and social and ecological side-effects on populations.
• · Proposal of design of transboundary groundwater monitoring networks and standardized methodology for observation groundwater quantitative and qualitative parameters and transboundary pollution transport.
• · Proposal of establishment of Russian – Mongolian GIS databases to facilitate the storage and retrieval of groundwater data from transboundary aquifers for different uses and enhance institutional and legal frameworks to manage, share and use data on international level.
• · Increase of public awareness about importance and vulnerability of transboundary groundwater resources and propose adaptation measures in the context of climate change influence on different types of aquifers (shallow, karstic, deep).
• · Enhancement of governance capacities and institutional and legal frameworks in support of effective and sustainable groundwater protection policy based on participatory approach involving policy makers, water scientists and managers, water stakeholders and general public.
• · Strengthen capacities for the sustainable management and well head protection policy of transboundary aquifers through capacity building and training at all levels to improve transboundary water cooperation, planning and management.

Download Report Lake Baikal - ENG

Download Report Lake Baikal - RUS

Download Report Lake Baikal - MON

• Seasonal and annual physicochemical and hydrobiological parameters, which characterize water quality and bottom sediments of the Selenga delta, were analyzed.
• The received results were summarized;
• Contemporary ecological conditions of the Selenga river ecosystem were evaluated.

• · Enhancement of knowledge and information on water pollution from urban areas and industrial operations
• · Development and proposal of policy recommendations for integrated approaches to water, sanitation and wastewater in urban areas with the aim to prevent, control and reduce water pollution from municipalities, industrial areas and mining operations
• · Development and proposal of policy recommendations and approaches to enhance water quality and ecosystems health with the aim to incorporate them as an integral part of existing national water strategies and policies
• · Increase of public awareness of policy-makers, municipal authorities, industrial operators, and local communities on the impact of water pollution on human health and the environment;
• · Strengthening of cooperation between Mongolia and Russia on the management of transboundary water pollution
• · Strengthening of national capacities to protect and enhance water quality through policy advice, priority setting, and awareness raising.

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Download Water Quality of Kharaa River Basin in Mongolia

Download Water and Sanitation in Selenge River Basin in Mongolia

• · Best practice conservation standards for mining using international and regional examples were elaborated.
• · Gap analysis concerning best practices and the existing policies and standards in mining and tourism sector in Russia and Mongolia was provided.
• · Recommendations for changes to local and national policies, legislation and regional development plans to enhance biodiversity protection in mining and tourism sector were developed.
• · Recommendations for EIA process in mining and tourism sector to make it more biodiversity relevant and focused were developed.

• Ecotourism and pollution avoidance aspects for tourism plans in the region, especially those being developed in Irkutsk and Buryatia were studied.

Report 1 - Biodiversity and tourism

Report 2 - Biodiversity and mining

Report 3 - GAP analysis of Russia and Mongolia, recommendations

Report 4 - Recommendations for EIA and Tourism plans

This study identified a location of strongholds of aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem health in the Basin as well as degraded watersheds to facilitate maintaining the former and improving the latter. A detailed gap analysis and mapping of existing data on protected areas, biodiversity, and productive sector practices and their impact (Essential Fish Habitat (EFH), PA coverage, species distribution, abundance and condition, active mining claims) was made. Essential fish habitat descriptions, EFH maps and fish stock recommendations were prepared.

Report 063 - Fish habitat

This work started in 2013 and will be done parallel to the OECD Special Working Group Project (Action Program of nature protection in Central and Eastern Europe) on improvement of water resource usage of economic instruments and Buryatia water economic complex management. The customer will assist the contractor to settle working relations with the mentioned Project. It is expected that both works will closely interact with each other and use possible synergetic effects as much as possible.

The assignment is expected to deliver the following baseline data and products:

• Analysis of existing accounting and cost control system of organizations of water-supply, drainage, irrigation and collector-drainage networks.
• Analysis of work productivity and efficiency of these organizations, as well as system of incentives to economic efficiency and productivity rise.
• Analysis of effectiveness of budgetary funds usage, which are directed to modernization and development of appropriate water economic systems.

Development of recommendations and their approbation for improvement of accounting and cost control system, strengthening of incentives to economic efficiency and productivity rise of water organizations, incentives to rise of effectiveness of budgetary funds usage, which are directed to modernization and development of appropriate water economic systems.

• · Current basin management strengths and weaknesses were studied.
• · Baselines on socio-economic and ecological condition of target sub-basin Tugnuy-Sukhara/Buryatia, The Russian Federation for further development of river basin management plans for those watersheds of Selenga basin were established.
• · Sub-basin management plan in cooperation with respective authorities was prepared.
• · Endorsement letter from Minister of Natural Resources and relevant authorities of that plan was received.

Tugnui-Sukhara sub-basin plan

Tugnui-Sukhara sub-basin plan - Endorsement letter 1

• · Current basin management strengths and weaknesses were studied.
• · Baselines on socio-economic and ecological condition of target sub-basin Khilok Watershed/Zabaikalsky Krai, The Russian Federation for further development of river basin management plans for those watersheds of Selenga Basin were established.
• · Sub-basin management plan in cooperation with respective authorities was prepared.
• · Endorsement letter from Ministry of Natural Resources and relevant authorities of that plan was received.

Download sub-basin plan

Download endorsement letter 1

Download endorsement letter 2

• · Baselines on socio-economic and ecological condition of  Ider sub-basin were established. Baseline data on economic activities and their impacts on the environment: (e.g. water quality, aquatic biodiversity) were collected.

• · The initial draft of Ider sub-basin watershed management plan was prepared.
• · In 2014 endorsement letters from MNET and relevant authorities of those draft plans will be received.

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• · Baselines on socio-economic and ecological condition of  Eg sub-basin were established. Baseline data on economic activities and their impacts on the environment: (e.g. water quality, aquatic biodiversity) were collected.
• · The initial draft of Eg sub-basin watershed management plan was prepared.
• · In 2014 endorsement letters from MNET and relevant authorities of those draft plans will be received.

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The IWRM plan for the Orkhon River basin was prepared in the framework of the “Strengthening IWRM in Mongolia” project in 2012. From 2013 this plan is under implementation of Orkhon River Basin Administration. The content and activities of Orkhon River IWRM Plan were updated. Several recommendations were provided such as a combining of Yeruu, Kharaa, Tuul into Orkhon River IWRM Plan.

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In 2013 the Project supported existing institutional transboundary structures (the institute of Plenipotentiaries and their working groups) formed by 1995 bilateral agreement “Protection and Use of Transboundary Waters". Additionally the concept paper and the road map for the process of developing and enhancing the legal and institutional framework of bilateral transboundary water cooperation were developed.

The concept paper and the road map were presented on different levels particularly on the Second Steering Committee Meeting, in the Russian State Duma, Mongolia government, Buryatia government and different workshops and conferences.

According to decision of the Steering Committee a draft of revised bilateral agreement on transboundary water cooperation, including a new institutional structure was developed. In 2014 consultations with key stakeholders will be conducted in both countries on the substantive content of the draft of revised bilateral agreement and if necessary a legal advice will be provided and bilateral consultations between the parties on the new draft agreement will be facilitated.

• · Results of determination of chosen indicators by comparable methods which is used by both sides for estimation of the Selenga river basin surface waters quality were received;
• · Determination of water composition and properties by single or comparable methods of analysis using certified sensitive or selective measuring methods was made;
• · Recommendations and cost enhancements to existing monitoring regime were elaborated.
• · Two Mongolian specialists from  chemical laboratory of Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) were trained in Hydrochemical Institute, Rostov-on-Don, Russia during one week.
• · PCU started a process of  Purchasing an ion chromatograph for chemical laboratory of Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Environment (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia) based on recommendations in the Joint Harmonized Water Quality Monitoring program

Download report 039 - Intercalibration Russia

Download report 038 - Intercalibration Mongolia

• · Short review of “self-assessment” methodology was prepared.
• · Guidance for self-assessments was developed and harmonized with Russian training expert.
• · Training needs assessment (TNA) methodology for countries stakeholders experts was provided based on project document requirements;
• · Monitoring and evaluation system for supply chain development training was developed;
• · Training needs assessment (TNA) for stakeholders was conducted, based on project document requirements;
• · Participants and the institutes and consultants to carry out training program were identified.
• · a Country Training Master Plan was prepared;
• · Possible venues for overseas study tour/training/workshop/seminar and in making contacts with identified institutions in preparation for the overseas training activities were identified;
• · Training workshops for persons carrying out self-assessments was prepared and held;
• · Monitoring and evaluation system for supply chain development training was suggested;

• · Short review of “self-assessment” methodology was prepared.
• · Guidance for self-assessments was developed and harmonized with Mongolian training expert.
• · Training needs assessment (TNA) methodology for countries stakeholders experts was provided based on project document requirements;
• · Monitoring and evaluation system for supply chain development training was developed;
• · Training needs assessment (TNA) for stakeholders was conducted, based on project document requirements;
• · Participants and the institutes and consultants to carry out training program were identified.
• · a Country Training Master Plan was prepared;
• · Possible venues for overseas study tour/training/workshop/seminar and in making contacts with identified institutions in preparation for the overseas training activities were identified;
• · Training workshops for persons carrying out self-assessments was prepared and held;
• · Monitoring and evaluation system for supply chain development training was suggested;

Download report

Download Survey questionnaire_Sep

The seminar “Environmental problems of Lake Baikal Basin and role of green economy in their solving” was held on July 30 – August 02, 2013 in Istomino, Russia. Basin-specific National Capacity Self -Assessments were carried out and used to identify highest priority training and management support at the regional and basin level. This seminar was organized and supported by the Baikal Project for specialists of Ministry of Natural Resources of Buryatia and Ministry of Environment and Green Development of Mongolia. It helped to develop practical recommendations for consolidation of state, society and business efforts for mutual solving of ecological problems and rising of ecological security of nature resources use.

Download report - Round table and training

Download Publication - Eco-tourism

Download Publication - Green economy

Training for rising awareness and improvement in management of stakeholders in Persistent Toxic Substances (PTS) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) was held. It was a part of enhanced hot spot review under Output 1.4 the Project Management Unit (PMU) concentrated attention of the Baikal Basin environment supervision organizations and other stakeholders upon problems of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Persistent Toxic Substances (PTSs) as one of the considerable and dangerous threats to the Basin ecosystem. Training seminars in Buryatia and Mongolia in order to raise awareness of specialists of environment supervision state bodies and other stakeholders in question of POP/PTS problems, consequences of their impact on environment were held. A study guide in Russian and Mongolian considering the Baikal Basin POP and PTS data, including their production, use in industry and agriculture, as well as data about abandoned warehouses with expired pesticides and etc., was developed.

Download a POPs/PTS study guide in Russian

Download a POPs/PTS study guide in Mongolian

Download report on Workshop POPs

On 04.10.2013 the training workshop was organized at the Fresh Water Resource and Nature Conservation Center in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and was headed by Dr.L.Jargalsaikhan, the chair of the National Chemicals Management Council in Mongolia. Totally 36 participants took part in workshop including 6 persons from 4 provinces which belong to the Baikal Basin. A POPs/PTS training brochure for the purpose to increase public awareness was prepared. It contains 54 pages and was published in 100 copies in Mongolian for participants of training workshop and other interested persons.

Download a POPs/PTS study guide in Mongolian

Using developed in 2012 database for modeling and simulation of pollutants transport in the Selenga Basin this activity service is expected to deliver the following results during 2013 and 2014:

• Description and working complex of modeling system, including mathematical model based on packet HEC-RAS of the Tuul river’s and the Orkhon river’s channels (lower than junction with Tuul river) till junction with Selenga, the Dzhida river till junction with Selenga, and expert-analytical system of Selenga (basing on delution equation).
• WEAP-based model of water balance of the Lake Baikal basin.
• Results of space spreading of pollutants’ characteristics in weighted and dissolved form of burden of river drift (turbidity, heavy metals, tracers) under different nature-anthropogenic conditions (maps, graphics, tables).
• Estimation of characteristics of water drift stocks and dissolved substances for different hydrological conditions.
• Forecast modeling of volume of accumulated material in river channel and in floodplain along the length of river systems; estimation of geochemical barriers.

In 2013 a description of expert-analytical system of chemical element transfer down the Selenga River (based on WEAP and HEC-RAS) and a report on water balance of the Selenga River Basin were developed.

Download report

• · Recommendations for transition of fast toxic components in hardly soluble compound were elaborated;
• · Recommendations for transition of tungsten in water soluble form with the purpose of further hydrometal extraction in the form of products were worked out
• · Estimation of water biodiversity condition in the region as a result of developed measures of safe storage, recycling, neutralization and utilization of toxic substances, contained in wastes of Dzhidinzky mining plant was carried out.

• · Recommendations for exploratory adit mine waters cleaning from heavy metals and their transition from sulphate and hydrocarbonate-sulphate type to near natural hydrocarbonate-calcium type were worked out;
• · Recommendations for designing of hydrotechnical constructions of exploratory adit mine waters of Kholodninsky deposit were drawn up.

Download report 042 - Pilot project mining Holodn. Russia

Recommendations about methods of waste / reused waste waters purification from pollutants typical for gold mining which can control threats to water ecosystem and biodiversity were drawn up.

Download final report - Pilot project Holbinsky, Russia.pdf

The project supported the new cattle mortuaries constructing in Kurumkansky and Barguzinsky district, the Republic of Buryatia, based on strategy developed for (dead) livestock disposal. A technological solution for this construction is “biothermal pit” with a concrete pit of 10 m depth. The additional installations were also constructed on adjacent territory. Main construction works were finalized at the end of August 2013.

• · The territory of Zabaikalsky National Park according to new revision of Russian Protected Areas Law was zoned.
• · Contemporary methods of reduction tourism influence on protected areas were studied;
• · Conceptual paper for recreational using of protected areas in Zabaikalsky National Park was developed.
• · Feasibility study of impacts of tourism on different ecosystems of Zabaikalsky National Park (protected area, buffer zone, transport corridors) was contacted.
• · The biodiversity compatible tourism plan (taking into account the permissible loads) for Zabaikalsky National Park was developed for institutional framework and informational structure.
• · The learning workshop for staff of Baikal Basin Protected Areas (Baikalsky, Baikalo-Lensky, Barguzinsky, Zabaikalsky, Dzherginsky) was organized.

Download plan

The following results under this activity were delivered:

• • Performance of reconnaissance of the ecological trail.
• • Development of the concept of the ecological path "to the Baikal seal rookery".
• • Development of conceptual designs observation deck, pergolas, decking and stairs.
• • Preparation of construction documents of improving the eco-trail.
• • Improvement of the ecological trail "to the Baikal seal rookery" and the observation deck to the island Tonkii (Ushkany Islands).
• • Development and production of informative signs.
• • Development of plan for tourist visiting the Baikal seal rookeries on the island Tonkii.
• • Development and publication of information materials for the tourist plan.

In 2013 the ecological trail "to the Baikal seal rookery" was constructed. The observation deck and a plan for tourist visiting will be finished in 2014.

Download preliminary report

• • Design-estimate documentation for installation of biological central treatment facilities in the main farmstead of Baikal State Natural Biosphere Reserve was developed.
• • A biological central treatment facilities in the main farmstead of Baikal State Natural Biosphere Reserve was installed and all administrative buildings, visit-center, garage, outside toilets, bathhouse, teahouse, and guesthouse were connected to it. The supposed capacity of treatment facilities is 70 persons per day.
• • A reconnaissance of the eco-trail “Cedar Alley” was performed.
• • A conception of extension of the eco-trail “Cedar Alley” starting from visit center was developed.
• • A toilet at the beginning of eco-trail “Cedar Alley” and its connection to the central treatment facilities was set up.
• • The eco-trail “Cedar Alley” was rebuilt and extended.
• • A biodiversity compatible comprehensive botanical tour for the eco-trail “Cedar Alley” was prepared in English and Russian.
• • A content and publishing information materials for visit center about developed comprehensive botanical tour for eco-trail “Cedar Alley” were developed in English and Russian.

Download report - 065 - Cedar Alley.pdf

In 2013 the Project supported Baikal Region protected areas efforts to join EUROPARC association.  The representatives of Baikal State Nature Biosphere Reserve and Zabaikalski Protected Area took part in EUROPARC Annual Conference 2013. This trip was organized by the Baikal Project for developing Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas and involvement of Russian protected areas into EUROPARC network. The conference was hosted by the Hortobágy National Park and took place in Debrecen, Hungary and the Hortobágy National Park from October 9 - 13, 2013. During the conference Baikal State Nature Biosphere Reserve signed the memorandum of association.

An eco-trail to ostent of Yanzhima goddess image (near Barguzinsky temple, Yarikto village, Barguzinsky district, Buryatia) was constructed. A touristic plan compatible with biodiversity preservation was developed.  Informational materials for development of touristic plan were printed.

Download report

On 21.03.2013 the Baikal Project supported “AKHA” Mongolian TV program while celebrating the World Water Day. The objective of this program was an introduction of water sector’s operation for the public and informing about water resources and water use, water saving methods. This event was organized by Ministry of Environment and green development, National Water Committee and Tuul River Basin Authority. 87 students from Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Mongolian National University and Institute of Agriculture took part in this event. The first prize was a certificate for participation in the International scientific conference “Baikal-strategic water resources of the Earth in 21st century” in Ulan-Ude, Russia (8-12 July 2013).

The competition "Best in Tourism Profession" was organized in Buryatiya Republic. Some reputable representatives from the tourism industry participated in the competition. The main purpose was to improve the quality of tourism services and to increase the prestige of labor and motivation of employees in travel sector in the Republic. The competition was organized by Tourism Agency of Buryatia with the participation of the Committee on Industry, Consumer Market and Tourism Administration, Ulan-Ude, the East-Siberian State Academy of Culture and Arts, and the UNDP-GEF Project "Integrated Natural Resource Management in the Baikal Basin Transboundary Ecosystem". The Baikal Project awarded "The best tour guide in the field of eco-tourism" to ELENA Myasnikova.

This activity started in 2013 and will continue in 2014. In 2013 the following results were delivered:

• BIC web portal was launched.
• Information support for the BIC web portal was provided in English, Russian and Mongolian.
• GIS hardware was purchased for both countries.
• BIC information data exchange protocol for Mongolia based on  conception and informational structure of BIC was developed;
• Protocol was distributed between stakeholders and approved;
• Endorsement letters from relevant stakeholders were received;
• Based on approved data exchange protocol basin data were collected and uploaded into BIC portal.

In 2014 this activity is expected to deliver the following results:

• Continuation of the BIC web portal maintenance.

• Purchasing of GIS software (ArcView).
• Development the structure of a biennial report on the state of the environment of the Baikal Basin for 2012-2013 years (BBBR) jointly with the Russian and Mongolian.
• Preparation of 2012-2013 BBBR in English, Russian and Mongolian.
• Publication of 2012-2013 BBBR in English, Russian and Mongolian.

The Atlas contains more than 100 maps with scale 1: 5 000000, also maps of separate regions of Baikal basin and maps of water area of Baikal basin with larger scale. Maps and other materials of the Atlas are divided into sections:

• · Natural conditions of formation of the environmental situation in Baikal basin.
• · Anthropogenic factors of formation of the environmental situation in Baikal basin.
• · The environmental situation and transformation of environment in Baikal basin
• · Medico-ecological situation;
• · Environmental protection and environmental management

The service was started in 2013 and will be finished in 2014. In 2013 year 123 maps were developed and agreed with Russian and Mongolian subcontractors. In 2014 map’s translation into English and Mongolian will be finished.

048 - BIC Ecological Atlas Russia (preliminary).pdf

The following Baikal shoreline clean-up campaigns were suported by the Project:

-          "Pure Ice Lake Baikal in 2013" on 6 April 2013 in the Holodnyanka;

-          Baikal shoreline volunteer group camp from 15 July 2013 to 5 August 2013 in the Cape Nameless, Baikal regions, the Republic of Buryatia;

-          "Clean river Selenga" in Ulan-Ude On 5 August 2013;

-          "Clean Olkhon Island” on 14-15 September 2013.

In total, 30 kilometers of shoreline were maintained by volunteers on a daily basis. More than 2000 bags of 120 liters of sorted waste were collected and removed.

035 - Shoreline cleanup.pdf

The project continued support of cleanup works around the Lake Khobsogul and 2013 clean-up campaign work was implemented in cooperation with Sayan Zone Nature conservation Community Association NGO (Soyony Bus NUTBB). The training “Recycling our wastes” was attended by over 400 school learners and other local citizens. Over 1000 brochures “How to recycle the waste” were handled to the local people. The day of 04 October 2013 was announced as the clean-up campaign day by the Khatgal soum Governor decree. Citizens of the village and government and non-government organizations were involved and gathered the solid wastes around the Khobsogul Lake.

Download report - 059 Hubsugul cleanup

The documentary “Baikal without boundaries” was completed. The geographical scope of the movie is the whole Baikal Lake basin that extends for two countries, Russia and Mongolia, and encompasses waste territories with rivers bringing waters to the lake. The Baikal Lake Basin is home to several architectural and natural landmarks, as well as rare scientific artifacts. The main message of the documentary is to make the global community aware of the problems that the Baikal Lake Basin is facing and the need to preserve it as a unique natural, ecological and social and cultural phenomenon.

Full version Russian - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxggbWjUGOA

Festival Version English -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxtzDHy6Fb8

Festival Version Russian - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOpMfuJb6OA

In 2013 the Baikal Project has prepared and printed several booklets and brochures.

• Development of eco-touristic package structure taking into consideration a biodiversity preservation and its reconciliation and approval by Head of the Reserve and leading touristic operators of the Republic of Buryatia and the Irkutsk Region;
• Development of complex touristic product in English and Russian based on approved structure of eco-touristic package, the product will include a descriptive and substantial parts, technological and financial tour maps; photo and video presentations of every tour.
• Development of design and informational structure of touristic site of the Reserve based on created touristic package and its approval by Head of the Reserve;

Download preliminary report - Eco-travel tour BSNB Reserve.pdf

The scope of this project under the Output 1.3 is to study transboundary groundwater resources in shallow aquifers in the Baikal Basin, with special regard to:

• Sustainable, integrated management of groundwater and surface water and environmentally sound water protection policy considering ethical, religious and cultural traditions of local societies.
• Increasing water demand for drinking and other purposes and potential impacts of excessive groundwater exploitation (e.g. groundwater level decline, loss of base flow, land subsidence).
• Pollution threats to groundwater quality (in close cooperation with Output 1.4).
• Vulnerability of groundwater and groundwater dependent ecosystems.
• Advantages of conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water for social and economic development.
• Influence of the present status of land use and land use planning on groundwater resources quantity and quality.
• Potential impact of climate variability and change on different type of aquifers (shallow, karstic, deep) and on frequency and extent of natural disasters (floods, droughts, storms, earthquakes).

Download report UNESCO 1.3

The scope of the activities on the pollution assessment in the Selenge River Basin under Output 1.4 includes:

1. A review and ranking of upgrade needs for Mongolian municipalities in Selenge River basin, including the identification of ongoing and planned water and sanitation projects, with regard to:

• Water, sanitation and wastewater in main cities and municipalities;
• Ongoing and planned water and sanitation projects;
• Prevention, control and reduction of pollution from urban areas.

2. A case-study on the assessment of pollution hotspots and pollution threats in the Kharaa River Basin, with a specific focus on:

• Human impacts on water quality in the basin;
• Major pollution threats to groundwater and surface water quality.
• Pollution hotspots, including pollution sources and types and levels of selected main pollutants
• Urban wastewater management, including the collection, treatment and disposal of municipal sewage, stormwater, urban runoff and solid waste;
• Negative impacts of water pollution on the sustainability of water resources in the basin, as well as on human health and ecosystems.

Download - Selenga report

In 2013 the Baikal project supported the work of the project "Save Baikal".

https://www.facebook.com/SaveBaikal, http://www.savebaikal.com/

The second annual awareness-education campaign "Pure Ice Lake Baikal in 2013" was organised on April 6 2013 in the Holodnyanka, Barguzinsky district of Buryatia. It was supported by more than 50 volunteers of all ages and areas of activity not only from Ulan-Ude, but from Moscow and other cities. In total, they have collected more than 40 bags of garbage (120 liters), which was sent for recycling. Discussions with the guests and participants of the event, handing out campaign leaflets with information on separate collection of garbage and waste handling were conducted.

Baikal shoreline volunteer group camp was supported and worked from 15 July to 5 August in the Cape Nameless, Baikal regions, the Republic of Buryatia .

The camp joined more than 100 volunteers from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Gorno-Altai, Novosibirsk, Tver, Izhevsk, Rostov-on-Don, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Tomsk, Pervouralsk Ussuriysk , Sakhalin, Vladivostok, as well as Montreal, Canada, Talin, Estonia, and Paris, France.

About 25 kilometers of protected area and beach tourist area were served by volunteers on a daily basis. Volunteers cleaned up of a shoreline and conducted an educational work on the waste management, as well as the rules of correct behavior on the nature of fire safety.

In total, 1,386 bags of 120 liters of waste, of which 321 bags of glass, 146 bags of metal, 203 bags of plastic and 716 bags of undivided garbage were collected and removed.

On 5 August 2013 the a shoreline clean-up campaign "Clean river Selenga" was organized in Ulan-Ude. The action was attended by over 45 people. There were representatives of the Save Baikal project, the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal, Burprirody and the Ulan-Ude administration. In total, 160 bags of garbage were collected (over a ton).

Finally, more than 100 volunteers took part in the action "Clean Olkhon Island", which was conducted on 14-15 September 2013. In total, 3 tons of garbage were collected. About 4 km ² has been cleaned.

The current status and options for enhancing the legal and institutional frameworks of cooperation in the protection and sustainable management of transboundary waters between the Russian Federation and Mongolia have been prepared.

Download the document in Russian

Download the document in Mongolian

Download the document in English

Executors: Baikal Institute of Nature Management (Russian Academy of Sciences) and Limnological Institute (Russian Academy of Sciences). End of works: November 25, 2012.

Final products:

• Project of Terms of references for monitoring of physical-chemical and biological parameters of the Selenga basin water quality and preparation of recommendations for its execution.
• Analysis of climate change impact on the Selenga basin water quality and assessment of man’s impact on it.

The work completed. The Selenga basin water run-off seasonal variation in 2012 has been shown, as well as its correlation with biogenic elements content in water, heavy metals in water and bottom sediments. Project of Terms of references for monitoring program in the Selenga river delta.

Download the Final report (RUS)

Download the Summary report (RUS)

Download the Summary report (ENG)

Executor: Irkutsk state university.

End of works: November 25, 2012.

Final products:

- Analysis of hydrological, hydrochemical, microbiological, hydrobiological and ichthyological indicators of the Selenga Delta benthic zone.

- Assessment of aboriginal and invasive benthophage fishes’ impact on benthos structure and its quantity indicators.

The work completed. Nourishment of main benthophage fishes has been analyzed, their impact on structure of benthic organisms has been estimated.

No particular impact on zoobenthos of aboriginal species and such introduction species as Amur carp, bream and Amur catfish, has not been detected.

At the same time, practically all age groups of Amur sleeper considerably influence zoobenthos organisms so greatly that by autumn period all benthos organisms are eaten by Amur sleeper. There are recommendations for control of this phenomenon.

Download the Final Report (RUS)

Download the Summary Report (RUS)

Download the Summary Report (ENG)

Executors: Hydrochemical Institute of RosHydromet (Russia) and Institute of hydrometeorology (Mongolia). End of works: December 2012.

Final products:

• Integrated with Mongolia approaches to analytical measures quality system.
• List of methods of physical-chemical analysis and technical tools, recommended for stationary and movable laboratories in the system of the Selenga basin monitoring by Russian and Mongolian sides.
• Harmonized water quality monitoring program for the Selenga basin.

Currently, harmonized surface water quality monitoring program (developed by Hydrochemical Institute, Russia) for the Baikal Basin is under agreement with Mongolian side.

Download the Russian Final Report (RUS)

Download the Mongolian Final Report (RUS)

Download the Harmonized water quality monitoring program (RUS)

Executors: Moscow State University, Baikal Institute of Nature Management (Russian Academy of Sciences). End of works: December 15, 2012.

Final products:

• Complex geoinformation system “the Selenga basin, based on ARCGIS software compatible with attributive data base”.
• Measured pollution content in the Selenga basin rivers within historical data.
• Set of maps of actual condition (pollution content) of the Selenga basin river system within the observation period (literature references) and according to the data of Moscow State University 2011-2012 expeditions (maps of water run-off characteristics, suspended and tractional loads, chemical elements in the Selenga basin).

The work completed. ARCGIS data base has been developed and presented to the Project management bureau.

Download the Final Report (RUS)

Executors: Budget Institution “BurPriroda” of ministry of nature resources of Buryatia (Ulan-Ude), Institute of water research and development (Mongolia).

Final products:

• Information structure of data base and list of information resources, computer programs for collecting, storage and usage of ecological information.
• Type of information activity and technological structure of Baikal information center.
• Scope of activity and participants’ competency level (organizations, their information and users).

Project of agreement between organizations involved in developing of Baikal Information center has been prepared. Currently, it is under agreement process.

Download the Russian Final Report (RUS)

Download the Mongolian Final Report (ENG)

Executor: Moscow State University.

Final products in 2012:

The work completed. Road map of ecological education enhancement till 2015 at different levels (preschool, school, college education) has been developed. The work is recommended for replication and introduction in regions of the Baikal district.

Download the Final Report (RUS)

Executor: Zabaikalsky State Pedagogical University

Final products in 2012:

The work completed: conception and academic manuals for upgrade of competency of administrative staff in the field of ecology and sustainable development have been developed. The work is recommended for replication and introduction in regions of the Baikal district.

Download the Final Report (RUS)

Executor: Buryat State University.

Final products in 2012:

The work completed. Road map of ecological education enhancement till 2015 at different levels (preschool, school, college education) has been developed.

Download the Final Report (RUS)

Executor: Buryat State Academy of Agriculture.

End of works: November 2012

Final products:

• Inventory of cattle mortuaries in Barguzinsky and Kurumkansky districts of Buryatia, assessment of their ecological and microbiological condition.
• Assessment of technologies of elimination of unconditioned cattle mortuaries, using best existing practices.
• Development of necessary improvement in dead livestock disposal which leads to the anthrax outburst.

The work completed. Analytical review of anthrax incidents on the Baikal basin transboundary territory (Buryatia, Zabaikalsky Krai, Mongolia) has been compiled. Inventory and mapping of existing cattle mortuaries in Barguzinsky and Kurumkansky districts has been carried out. Assessment of technologies of elimination of unconditioned cattle mortuaries has been conducted.

Certain places have been determined and local construction estimates of 2 new cattle mortuaries have been prepared. Request for quotations for cattle mortuaries erection in 2013 have been made.

Download the Final report (RUS)

Executor: International Baikal shoreline volunteer group, “Save Baikal” project, youth artistic theatre.

End of works: spring-summer 2012

The work completed. The Project has supported the activity of Baikal shoreline volunteer group camp. Shoreline and lake’s ice-cover clean-up actions in winter period have been held. The Uda river shoreline action has been organized together with city’s administration and citizens. Within the summer period the volunteers gathered more than 450 tons of garbage on the Baikal shoreline of 25 kms long.

More than 100 volunteers have taken part in the action.

Download the Final Report (RUS)

Executor: Mongolia Water Forum-ushelts; “Domogt Dalai” environmental NGO, Khatgal.

End of works: September 2012.

The work completed. Shoreline clean-up of Hovsgol lake in the zone of Khatgal village has been organized together with local administration and school kids.

Water sanitation zone has been erected for the lake’s shoreline pollution protection. The action has been published widely in mass media.

Download the Final Report (ENG)

Executor: NGO "Baikal Ecotourism association"

End of works: December 2012.

Final products:

• Assessment of the Baikal Bioshpere Reserve conformity with international criteria of joining to international ecotourism net.
• Plan of joining of Baikal Bioshere Reserve to international ecotourism net.

The work completed. Strengths and weaknesses of the Baikal Bioshpere Reserve have been analyzed. Plan of its joining to international ecotourism net has been developed.

Download report on evaluation of Reserve

Download report on tourism impact on Reserve

Download the Plan for sustainable tourism development

The following tasks have been accomplished:

• Review, analyse and summarise existing baseline information relevant to expected environmental and socio-economic impacts of global climate change in the Lake Baikal catchment region, with particular emphasis on transboundary problems as identified in the revised TDA.

• Review and summarise existing policy and regulatory frameworks relevant for disaster risk reduction in Mongolia and Russia.
• Review, analyse and summarise relevant activities by national governments, donors, NGO’s and private sector institutions that are relevant to adaptation to the expected impacts of global climate change in the Baikal basin region.
• Formulate recommendations for strategic actions to adapt to the impacts of climate change in the Baikal basin region, with specific emphasis on transboundary problems as identified in the revised TDA.
• Identify gaps in the available information, and provide a list of recommendations for further studies.
• Identify potential sources for relevant data/information (e.g. reports, recent scientific papers) and include these as a reference list in the final consultancy document.
• Provide inputs to improve the quality of the relevant climate change section in the draft revised TDA document.

Download the Russian Final Report (ENG)

Download the Mongolian Final Report (ENG)

The following tasks have been accomplished:

• Identify local sources of pollution located in the Russian catchment area of Baikal Basin.
• Determine their impact on water quality (surface and underground) on relevant chemical and biological parameters.
• Review and rank upgrade needs for Selenga basin municipalities, including of ongoing and planned water and sanitation projects.

Download the Russian Final Report (ENG)

Download the Mongolian Final Report (ENG)

Communication and Public Awareness Plan for Conservation of Natural resource management in the Baikal Basin has been developed.

Key actions focus on:
1. Immediate development of awareness of the project’s activities within potential partners
and target groups, with a subsequent focus on broader conservation issues of interest and
relevance to the regional community in Mongolia as well as in Russia, on mobilization of
broad public support for locally implemented activities in natural resource conservation,
and on integration of successful public-private partnership activities into communication
and public awareness programming.
2. Identification of appropriate partners for further development and implementation of the
Project’s communication and public awareness strategy.
3. Regularly update a website providing information on the project’s activities, and the
opportunity for partner and public input.
4. Development of a network of organizations engaged in biodiversity conservation and
related activities in Mongolian and Russia, with the objective of developing and sharing
information on transboundary biodiversity, and education and communication materials for
development of public awareness.
5. Development of communication and public awareness activities based on as wide a range
of methods and techniques as possible, including a broadly-based school program and other
activities focusing on children.

Download the Final Report (ENG)

Download Survey questionnaire (ENG)

The communication and public awareness plan for conditions, challenges and threats to the environment of the Baikal Basin has been developed. This plan is oriented to stakeholder groups targeted by the project: government (line departments, parliamentarians, local authorities and the judiciary); civil society (NGOs, community organizations and sociability). Project public awareness activities also address issues such as in country and cross country communications and knowledge sharing.

In addition surveys for tourists to determine pollution awareness and ecotourism interests has been developed.

Download the Final Report (RUS)

Download the Survey Report (RUS)

The IWC7 Festival Version version of the documentary “Baikal Without Boundaries” has been made. This scientific documentary is not only about Lake Baikal itself but it is also about the main basin rivers bringing clear and limpid waters to the lake. The Baikal Basin contains a lot of architectural and natural landmarks, as well as rare scientific artifacts. The major goal of this documentary is to make the thought clear to everyone that it is extremely important to preserve the Baikal Basin as a unique natural, ecological and sociocultural phenomenon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxtzDHy6Fb8

Production: Atlas Media Movie Studio - www.atlas-culture.ru