A view shows the recreation camp "Youth. Baikal" near the village of Turka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010899

A view shows the Lake Baikal near the village of Tankhoy, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010753

A view shows the Lake Baikal near the village of Turka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010751

A view shows the recreation camp "Youth. Baikal" near the village of Turka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010750

A view shows the recreation camp "Youth. Baikal" near the village of Turka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010749

A view shows the Lake Baikal near the village of Turka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010747

A view shows the recreation camp "Youth. Baikal" near the village of Turka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010746

A view shows the recreation camp "Youth. Baikal" near the village of Turka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010745

A view shows the recreation camp "Youth. Baikal" near the village of Turka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010743

A view shows the recreation camp "Youth. Baikal" near the village of Turka, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010742

A view shows waste storage areas of the closed Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill in Irkutsk region, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010740

A view shows waste storage areas of the closed Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill in Irkutsk region, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010738

A view shows waste storage areas of the closed Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill in Irkutsk region, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010736

A view shows the Lake Baikal near the village of Tankhoy, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010734

A view shows the Lake Baikal near the village of Tankhoy, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010733

A view shows the Lake Baikal near the village of Tankhoy, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010730

The Baikal seals sculpture is pictured in the village of Tankhoy, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010729

A view shows the Baikal Zapovedny (Reserved Baikal) visitor centre in the village of Tankhoy, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010723

A view shows the Lake Baikal near the village of Tankhoy, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010718

A view shows the Lake Baikal near the village of Tankhoy, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010715

Trucks drive along the bridge on the R268 "Baikal" federal highway in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010712

A view shows a closed cemetery in the village of Klyuevka on the banks of the Baikal Lake, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010704

A view shows high-voltage power transmission lines and pylons on the banks of the Baikal Lake, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010702

Cows graze on a field on the banks of the Baikal Lake, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010700

Trees are pictured in the village of Sukhaya on the banks of the Baikal Lake, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010696

A representative of the village council shows the site where fire mineralized bands are planned to be created in the village of Sukhaya, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010695

Trees are pictured in the village of Sukhaya on the banks of the Baikal Lake, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010692

Trees are pictured in the village of Sukhaya on the banks of the Baikal Lake, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010691

A view shows residential houses by the Lake Baikal in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010688

A view shows the Selenga River in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010686

Cars drive along the R268 "Baikal" federal highway in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

19.09.2025#9010685

A view shows the Lake Baikal near the village of Tankhoy, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. On July, 2023, Russian lawmakers in the country's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, have passed in the first reading a bill authorizing large-scale logging around Lake Baikal for a period of ten years what caused a public outcry. The permission was necessary for the expansion of the Baikal-Amur and Trans-Siberian railroads. The proposed law provides a mechanism for forests situated on protected lands to be reclassified into other land categories, allowing for deforestation and also specifies that clearcutting will be permitted in areas where forests have been lost due to fire and on certain plots within the so-called "forest fund".

20.09.2025#9010684