Deputies set a "setback" to the Ministry of Energy for the development of tourism on Lake Baikal

The deputies recognized the work of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia on the development of tourism on Lake Baikal as unsatisfactory. Dmitry Kobylkin, head of the State Duma Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, announced this in his Telegram channel after a meeting in the Duma on the implementation of the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation on the development of tourism in the Baikal natural territory.

"At today's meeting, it was important for us to understand how the departments plan to implement the president's instructions on the development of tourism on Lake Baikal and what support is needed from State Duma deputies. Deputies of various committees of the State Duma of Russia, the Federation Council, ministries and departments, as well as representatives of the regions and the business community gathered to discuss the problem. The Committee particularly notes the insufficient attention of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia to the study of this issue," Kobylkin wrote. 

According to him, after the speech of the representative of the ministry, more questions arose than answers were given. "The Department has not defined the tasks and necessary legislative changes for the territory. It is important to note that investors are already facing problems. The department found it difficult to answer what exactly needs to be solved within the framework of the bills that are in the State Duma. It is unclear how the Ministry of Energy plans to achieve the results of the concept of "zero discharges and waste" and what technological solutions will be required for this. This is a key challenge," the head of the Committee said. 

He added that today it is important not to repeat the sad experience when not a single sewage treatment plant was designed in 5 years.

According to Kobylkin, last year Baikal was visited by more than 2 million people, the annual growth of the tourist flow is 10-15%. At the same time, the one—time capacity of complex accommodation facilities is about 30 thousand people. "Most of the visits are "wild" tourism. Many tourists, having found no alternatives, stay with local residents or in tents on the lake shore. There are a number of problems that require urgent solutions: the infrastructure of settlements and tourist sites cannot cope with the load," the deputy noted. 

There are also problems with the environment. So, by the beginning of 2023, about 900 landfills were identified at the Baikal Nature Reserve. About seven thousand vessels ply the lake, while only two are designed for waste collection.

"The main attention should be paid to the residents of Lake Baikal and the ecology of the territory, which, unlike the Ministry of Energy, is a priority for the governors," Kobylkin believes.

According to the head of the committee, in the report of the governor of the Irkutsk region Igor Kobzev, two main requests were made: the need for separate work on Olkhon Island within the framework of the president's instructions and the solution of issues of connection to wastewater treatment plants. The region has already announced the construction of 16 new and reconstruction of 9 wastewater treatment plants.

 "It is clear that it will be impossible to meet the environmental requirements of tourism development on Lake Baikal without changes in legislation. At the request of the deputies of the committee, we will invite the Minister of Economic Development to the State Duma with a detailed report on plans for the development of tourism on Lake Baikal. We hope to get answers to all the questions voiced at the meeting," Kobylkin concluded.