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News
June 10, 2008
Head of METROPOL Group of Companies M. Slipenchuk took part in a press conference staged by the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal
The press conference of the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal
took place in the Russian New and Information Agency Novosti on
June 10, 2008. President of the Fund, Deputy of State Duma of the
Russian Federation deputy and Russian Academy of Sciences
corresponding member A. Chilingarov; President of the Guardianship
Board of the Fund, Head of METROPOL Group M. Slipenchuk, President
of the Technical Board of the Fund, Head of laboratory of manned
submersibles of P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of Russian
Academy of Science A. Sagalevitch, member of the Supervisory Board
of the Fund, Director of Baikal Nature Management Institute of
Siberian branch of Russian Academy of Science A. Tulokhonov and
member of the Supervisory Board of the Fund, Deputy of the State
Duma of the Russian Federation V. Gruzdev took part in the press
conference.
The press conference featured a presentation by members of Fund for
Protection of Lake Baikal, which was founded in 2008 on the
initiative of the METROPOL Group of Companies. Press conference
participants reported details about the Fund’s structure, and spoke
of the goals and objectives of its operations. A. Chilingarov noted
that the Fund’s primary objectives include ensuring all-inclusive
support for Lake Baikal’s protection and preservation, conducting
scientific research aimed at preserving the lake, assisting in
creating environmentally-benign technologies, and drawing the
public’s attention to this unique nature site.
Press conference participants revealed details about a number of
major socioeconomic and scientific events planned by the Fund.
Especial attention was devoted to the scientific research
expedition “Mir” on Baikal”, which will take place in 2008-2009.
About 60 deepwater submersions to the bottom of Lake Baikal are
planned in 2008 for the manned submersibles “Mir”, which will be
staging a series of comprehensive lake monitoring programs.
Sagalevich told the press conference attendants about the technical
aspects of the upcoming expedition. A. Tulokhonov reported on the
latest environmental situation in the Baikal region. He especially
underscored that one of the Fund’s primary objectives rests in
ensuring that state authorities receive a sound environmental
education while the general public becomes broadly aware of
environmental issues. Speaking about the expedition itself,
Tulokhonov noted that the information gathered in the course of the
event – including that concerning the reserves of hydrocarbons
resting at the bottom of the lake – would hold tremendous
scientific and economic value.
M. Slipenchuk told about the problem of environmental liability
held by business, particularly by businesses with economic
interests in the Baikal region. He also revealed that the
expedition would cost $6 million. At the moment, the expedition is
sponsored by the METROPOL Group of Companies. However, press
conference participants expressed hope that soon other major
representatives of business would join this project, which is
pursuing exclusively noble goals. “It is time for professionals to
come to Baikal,” — M. Slipenchuk noted.
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