As part of the SPIEF 2022 (St. Petersburg International Economic Forum) plenary session, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted the most important areas of our country's environmental policy, in particular, solving Baikal's problems, developing green technologies, reducing emissions into the atmosphere, preserving the climate and developing ecotourism.
Dmitry Kobylkin, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, in turn, said that "the task of saving and preserving Baikal, designated by the head of state, is certainly one of the main ones."
“Delaying the decision is absolutely unacceptable. At the same time, the goal is clearly defined - Baikal should become the hallmark of Russian eco-tourism, and a civilized basis should be created for this area itself,” Dmitry Kobylkin noted.
In his speech, the President of the Russian Federation also called for regulating the organization of tourism in specially protected natural areas.
“At the same time, special emphasis is placed on maintaining a reasonable balance: it is important that government agencies, business, and tourists know what is permissible and what cannot be done in these territories. Where it is possible to build tourist facilities, and where it is strictly prohibited,” he said in his speech.
To date, a lot of work has been done to improve the draft law on tourism in protected areas and it will be adopted in the near future. Domestic tourism is gaining momentum, and people are interested in visiting "the most beautiful natural places in our country." According to estimates, this year such a flow of tourists will exceed 12 million people.