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T
ransboundary
W
ater
M
anagement
the condition of its ecosystem. Nonetheless, preserva-
tion of the lake is impossible without the joint efforts
of both Russia and Mongolia. There is a clear need for
joint support and activities aimed at the preservation
of biodiversity and the health of water and land ecosys-
tems to ensure that the systems can sustain required
functions for future generations.
Before detailing current mutual efforts to preserve
this valuable resource, it is important to clarify how
past generations of people who have lived in the Baikal
region have perceived the sanctity of the lake and
preserved the natural objects that surround it.
Ecological traditions of the Baikal region’s aboriginal
people developed over time and had their own history.
The nature of the Baikal was always acknowledged
in the Central Asian world. For example, according
to Genghis Khan’s edict, the area around Lake Baikal
was proclaimed a reserve. Any activity causing harm
to nature and the gods was outlawed. A prohibition list
was created, which was in essence an ecological code
of that time. Siberian people attributed a soul to nature.
They had practiced careful treatment of the Baikal and
its adjacent territories for centuries. Developing the
idea of man’s reliance on natural powers, indigenous
people and Russian newcomers deemed that any
disease, including any accidental and minor ailment,
was nothing but punishment from the local spirits who
protected the Baikal. People, in their turn, longed for
the Baikal’s protection, using adjacent unique natural
objects such as minerals, springs and therapeutic mud.
The indigenous populations of the Baikal region adapted
their households to the local natural conditions.
Humans developed a special attitude towards objects
of a colossal scale that engendered a terrifying supersti-
tion. Such objects were seen as sacred, and myths were
created around them. Lake Baikal is a huge water reser-
voir, surrounded by high mountain ridges on almost
all sides. Therefore, the myths created by people who
inhabited the pre-Baikal area in ancient times were
focused on the spiritualization of water and mountains;
a feature that is especially notable in Buryat myths. This
idea can be traced in a series of cosmogonic myths. In
all cases the action takes place on Lake Baikal or in its
waters. In this regard, water is seen as an original, crea-
tive element and a medium of conception and creation.
Mountains are inseparable from water in myths, and
the two are merged into a twofold invigorating source.
It was quite natural that the heroes of ancient Buryat
myths asked their ‘parents’ (the elements that created
them) for protection and salvation. They formed an
original unanimity of water and mountainous powers,
which was reflected in the process of giving names to
natural objects. With the development of shamanism,
which arose in the ancient historical epochs, human life
was related to water which, being valued as a source
of life, was saturated with greater sacral diversity.
‘Khaty’ or water spirits appeared, living near the lake
and a concept of ‘water tsars’ was formed. These had a
celestial origin and were light and virtuous. There is a
phenomena, characterizing contemporary geological activity, are
the most apparent in this area. The main threats to the Baikal and
Selenga basins are climate change, industrial development, increas-
ing pollutants, destruction of habitat, reduction of biodiversity, and
influx and adaptation of alien species.
The length of the border between the Russian Federation and
Mongolia is 3,488 km. In Mongolia, 25 rivers flow in to the Selenga
and the main part of the Selenga river basin lies on the frontier with
Russia. This part of Mongolia, called the Han-hai, is the core of the
country’s economy. It plays an important role in addressing social
development issues and has great potential for economic growth and
favourable conditions for living.
The total area of the region is 343.2 km
2
, or 20 per cent of the
overall Mongolian territory. It includes 122 districts (somons) and
eight provinces (aimaks) partially or fully. The average population
density of Mongolia is 1.8 people per square kilometre; but along the
Selenga river basin, it is 4.4 people per square kilometre. In 2011, the
overall population of the Selenga river basin was 2.1 million people,
representing 73.6 per cent of the total population of Mongolia. The
number of city residents of the region has notably increased.
Major industrial cities of the country are located on the shores
of the Selenga tributaries. The largest industries are located in
Ulaanbaatar, Erdenet and Darkhan. These include the Erdenet, Gobi
and Darkhan metallurgical companies, carpet and cashmere wool
companies, lambskin coat factories and meat processing and packing
plants. Such a concentration of people and economic resources leads
to an intensified anthropogenic impact and ecological problems.
It is clear that the Selenga river plays an important role in forming
the hydrological, hydrochemical and hydrobiological regimen of
Lake Baikal. Its delta is a natural biofilter and indicator of the lake’s
condition, and this necessitates a complex scientific assessment of
The nature of the Baikal was held sacred by local people and there are many
monuments in the region
Image: Evgeni Kozyrev