Baikal pulp mill

A Greenpeace Russia expert warned on Tuesday that government plans to restart operations at one of the country's most controversial factories, the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill, would harm the nation's image.
Last week, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin signed a resolution excluding the production of pulp, paper and cardboard from the list of operations banned in the Baikal natural territory.
Mikhail Kreindlin described Putin's motion as incorrect and illegitimate, and said it would violate Russia's international commitments.
"This will mar Russia's image and could remove Lake Baikal from the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Though no UNESCO sanctions are envisaged, this will deal a severe blow to Russia's image," Kreindlin said.
Valery Petrosyan, Moscow State University professor and president of the Ecology and Health center, was less categorical about Putin's plans and urged the necessary environmental control of water treatment facilities at the factory.

20.01.10