Stop clear-cutting on Lake Baikal and development on the Lagonaki Plateau: UNESCO demands an end to the destruction of World Heritage sites in Russia.
The draft resolution of the 48th UNESCO session, held in Busan, included strict demands on Russia to protect World Heritage sites. International experts insist on an immediate end to clear-cutting on Lake Baikal and a halt to development on the Lagonaki Plateau.
UNESCO requirements for the protection of unique natural areas
In the draft decision of the 48th session of UNESCO, held in Busan (Republic of Korea) have made a whole series of demands on the Russian side concerning the protection of World Heritage sites located on the territory of Russia.
🔸Lake Baikal. Ban any legislative changes that reduce the lake's legal protections (this primarily concerns the recent law permitting clear-cutting on the shores of Lake Baikal). Introduce strict limits on anthropogenic and tourist impacts, and build modern wastewater treatment facilities. Conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment on the ecosystem.
🔸Western Caucasus. Stop all preparatory, survey, and construction work for the Lagonaki resort. Restore the previous legal status and original boundaries of natural parks and natural monuments (the Western Massif of Mount Thach, the sources of the Tsitsa and Pshekha Rivers). Suspend all road construction projects (including the Guzeripl-Lagonaki highway) until a comprehensive environmental assessment is completed, coordinated with experts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
🔸Volcanoes of Kamchatka. Restore the protected status and original boundaries of the expropriated sections of the natural park. Limit large-scale development within the World Heritage site and relocate key tourist infrastructure outside its boundaries.
Threat of UNESCO blacklisting sites
Failure to comply with the requirements could result in UNESCO adding the site to its List of World Heritage in Danger—a real possibility for the Western Caucasus, as Russia has ignored UNESCO's requirements for many years. This designation serves as a "final warning" before the site's possible complete removal from the UNESCO World Heritage List and is a de facto confirmation that the country is failing to fulfill its obligations to preserve the World Heritage site.
Read our article to learn about which World Heritage sites are located in Russia and the threats they face. "Global Responsibility".
