The Altai Republic may become a pilot region for the formation of principles of balanced ecological and economic development

The trajectory of balanced and sustainable economic development and the transformation of the economy of the Altai Republic taking into account its natural, national and cultural potential were discussed at the session "New opportunities for sustainable development of the Altai Republic: in search of a balance between economy and ecology" during the International Forum "Eco Altai. The thread of nature".

"Taking into account the geographical, natural, historical, national and cultural features of the Altai Republic, one of the main priorities for the development of the region could be a green, creative and digital economy," said Alexander Zakondyrin, Chairman of the Public Council of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia. "This concept is suitable for practical implementation on the territory of those regions of Russia where there is a shortage of social, industrial and recreational infrastructure."

More than 1 million tourists come to Altai annually. To preserve the pristine nature in the republic, the state reserves "Altai" and "Katunsky", as well as the Sailugem National Park, have been created.

"In the Altai Republic, the activities of the Ecology national project are being implemented to preserve forests and unique water bodies, preserve biodiversity and create a waste management system for production and consumption," said Konstantin Tsyganov, First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation. – We are helping to clear Lake Manzherokskoye, we are arranging tourist infrastructure in nature reserves and the national park. Together with the region and Roscongress, a project has been launched to build a center for the reintroduction of birds of the Falconid family. Now we are solving the task of preserving the pearl of the Republic – the snow leopard."

For the sustainable development of the territory and the disclosure of its recreational opportunities, it is necessary to bring the objects of accumulated environmental damage in the region into a safe state. Stanislav Zhabrikov, Director for the Implementation of Environmental Projects of FSUE "FEO", presented the extensive competencies of the Federal Environmental Operator (Rosatom enterprise) both as a developer of technological solutions and as a contractor for the reclamation of complex industrial facilities. "Former industrial facilities and industrial territories are a significant factor in the potential negative impact on the quality of life of the population. The Aktash Mining and Metallurgical Combine is a landmark facility for a region with a high concentration of mercury pollution. The knowledge we have acquired, including those included in the list of the best available technologies, can be successfully used for its reclamation," he said.

The preservation of the Altai ecosystem can become an additional incentive to attract tourists. To study and restore the fauna of the region, the Center for the Conservation of Biological Diversity "Snow Leopard" was created under the scientific leadership of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution named after A.N. Severtsov of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The Deputy Director of the Institute of Global Climate and Ecology named after him told about the sustainable climate development of the region. Academician Yu.A. Israel Veronika Ginzburg. "The Altai Republic has a good potential to become a pilot region for the formation of the principles of sustainable development, careful attitude to a unique ecosystem, balanced ecological and economic development," the speaker stressed.

The head of the projects "National Ecological Rating of Regions", "Green Map of Russia" and the "Green Patrol" OOD, Kristina Arikeeva, presented the prospects for the development of ecotourism in Kosh-Agachsky, Ulagan and other districts of the Altai Republic: "Every year, many hundreds and thousands of tourists flock to the city of Belukha, to the Katun River, Teletskoye, Karakol and Multin lakes, which leads to an increase in the anthropogenic load on the nature of these areas. The inclusion of new facilities in tourist routes can help reduce the negative impact on already favorite tourist routes in the region."