Russia

Population: 143,420,309 (July 2005 est.)

Capital: Moscow

Environmental Issues: air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination; groundwater contamination from toxic waste; urban solid waste management; abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides

The Russian "Father"

Amongst Russians Lake Baikal is referred to as ‘The Father'. It is for good reason, as it is the oldest lake, the deepest lake and the largest container of unfrozen freshwater in the world. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to flora and fauna that is found nowhere else on the globe.

The people of Russia consider themselves fortunate to be the custodians of such a unique wonder. The following memoirs explore the fond memories people have of the lake, but also explore what the lake means to the present community.

The people that shared their memories of Russia were volunteers on the Great Baikal Trail (GBT). The GBT is an ambitious eco-tourism and community development project that aims to build the first set of connecting walking trails in Russia . Their objective is to build a trail that circumnavigates Lake Baikal, over 1,500kms of walking trail (visit Lake Baikal website to see map of Lake Baikal).

	Igor Nicolarvith Nadeliaev
	As a university student Igor studied soil biology around the lake. He has worked as a scientist in the port town of Listvayanka and later as a prison gaurd. Igor's favorite place in Russia is on the banks of Lake Baikal . He speaks of how his life is connected to the lake.
	Tatiana Klepicova
	Tatiana grew up in the Irkutsk Oblast of Siberia. She is an Associate Professor at Irkutsk State Technical University . Tatiana is a volunteer Project Manager for the Great Baikal Project (GBT) and a micro-loan scheme aimed at developing bed and breakfast tourism accommodation. She speaks of some of the changes that have occurred in the Baikal region and the importance of the Great Baikal Trail.
	Image Gallery