On April 28, 2012 a press conference on the
results of the International scientific conference Baikal - the
world treasure took place in Ulan-Ude. The conference was
organized by the Permanent Delegation of the Russian Federation to
UNESCO and the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal (the FPLB) with
the support of Government of the Republic of Buryatia, Russian
Geographical Society, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, and
Foundation of Prince of Monaco Albert II.
Director of the Baikal Institute of Nature Management SB RAS,
Corresponding Member of RAS, Arnold Tulokhonov spoke about his
participation in the Paris conference. Besides him, the Republic of
Buryatia was represented in France by Minister of Natural Resources
Bair Angaev and Hambo Lama of Buddhist Traditional Sangha of Russia
Dagba Ochirov.
The press conference was opened by the film Baikal: Earth and
Space, talking about the latest studies of Lake Baikal, not
only with deep diving, but also from space.
In general, the participants of the Paris conference Baikal - the world treasure discussed the problems of preserving the ecosystem of Lake Baikal, listed as World Heritage sites by UNESCO, and the prospects of further research for the sustainable development of the Baikal region.
In Paris Arnold Tulokhonov gave the presentation
Space, Ocean, Lake Baikal: results of assimilation and
reflections: “By my report, probably I drew attention for the
first time to the fact that the Space is given incomparably more
attention than the Ocean. In fact, the Ocean is a source of our
life, a man came out from it and the future is also in the Ocean,
not in the Space. Nobody lives in the Space. That is why we say
that the Ocean - is the future of our planet. And the expedition
Mirs at Lake Baikal showed for the first time what can be
done. The first time during three years 178 dives were carried out,
involving 215 hydronauts, including heads of state - President of
Mongolia Tsakhiagiyn Elbegdorj and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin. I emphasize that this expedition was of great importance for
the Republic, for the lake and especially for science”.
Dagba Ochirov Hambo Lama said: “I believe that through the study of
Lake Baikal we can find the answer about the origin of Earth and
life on it. It is necessary to find harmony and balance between the
lake preservation and the prospects of Buryat region as a whole. I
learned many new things about Lake Baikal from the presentations of
both Russian and foreign scientists at the conference in Paris. I
would also like to note about the good organization of the
conference. For the first time Baikal was represented at such a
high level. I think that it is the great merit of the Chairman of
Guardianship Board of the FPLB, State Duma deputy Mikhail
Slipenchuk”.
Concluding the press conference, A. Tulokhonov said: “Step by step
we have to advocate our problems of Baikal. No one will do this
instead of us”.