Press Release, 03.04.2017

Public hearings devoted to the discussion of construction projects of hydro-electric power stations in Mongolia that would use water from the Selenga River, the largest feeder of Lake Baikal, were held in the Republic of Buryatia. The Buryat branch of YABLOKO took an active part in conducting the hearings.

Over 1.500 local residents participated in ten public hearings in different parts of Buryatia.

“Our main task was to show the risks and threats that the Mongolian hydro-electric power stations projects would bring for the ecosystem of the Selenga River and Lake Baikal, as well as possible negative social consequences of these projects for the Republic of Buryatia,” says Alexander Kolotov, member of YABLOKO’s green faction, who participated in most of the hearings . “We also believe that such a massive coverage of areas for public hearings on foreign projects should become an unconditional standard for public discussion on out domestic projects.”

According to Natalia Tumureyeva, head of the Buryat regional branch of YABLOKO, “If we did not work with the population of Buryatia, local residents would not at all listen to the Mongolian delegation who came to present the plans for the construction of their hydroelectric power stations. They say about us that we are setting up the population against the [projects]. I want to answer – it is not true. The residents of Buryatia had an absolute negative attitude towards the Mongolian projects from the very beginning. ”

Photo: Natalia Tumureyeva at the hearings in Ulan-Ude

The following public hearings on the Mongolian hydro-electric power stations should now pass through the Irkutsk region: in Irkutsk, Slyudyanka and Olkhon. The YABLOKO party also plans to take an active part in these hearings.