Rivers without Boundaries

Can the World Heritage Convention save Lake Baikal from hydropower?

This session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) was crucial for the Lake Baikal: WHC had to decide whether to allow it to become a technocratic reservoir system managed primarily for hydropower in the interest of industry or it should be managed as a World Heritage site for the benefit …

IUCN: dams and climate change threaten the World Heritage

  World Heritage should be off-limits of any economic activities that may negatively affect designated sites, but nowadays increasing number of World Heritage sites are influenced by development projects. Hydropower is a leader on the list of industries encroaching upon World Heritage sites according to International Union for Conservation of …

Sacred Sources of Amur River Recognized as the World Heritage

A sacred mountain, which marks the source of both Kherlen and Onon rivers was inscribed on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage as cultural landscape at the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee. Most of the new World Heritage site is protected by the Khan-Henti Strictly Protected Area. …

The oldest conservation NGO sees better alternatives to hydropower in Mongolia

The oldest professional conservation group in Russia  the BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION CENTER released today  a  letter to the World Bank and other entities working on feasibility study  for the Shuren Hydropower Plant Project on Selenge River. In the letter this most experienced NGO shows that plenty of more efficient alternative are …

Patriotic Baikal Seals Parade on WWII Victory Day

Irkutsk “Nerpanarium” (Baikal Seal Aquarium) offers a patriotic seal show. Trained Baikal Lake seals wear military berets, hold guns, flags while “marching” and performing mine clearance. “The patriotic military show is open for admission year round. Among visitors we have had veterans and those who were involved in local conflicts. …

Vladimir Putin promised to deal with Mongolian hydropower ?

This was allegedly promised by President of the Russian Federation during Media Forum United National Front in St. Petersburg reports Buriatia Business Portal . On April 25-28, St. Petersburg hosted the second Media Forum of the All-Russian People’s Front. At the forum held a plenary session with Vladimir Putin, during …