Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve. Known as the 'Galapagos of Russia', its age and isolation have produced one of the world's richest and most unusual freshwater faunas, which is of exceptional value to evolutionary science.
The Committee inscribed Lake Baikal as the most outstanding example of a
freshwater ecosystem on the basis of natrual criteria (vii), (viii),
(ix) and (x). It is the oldest and deepest of the world´s lakes
containing nearly 20% of the world´s unfrozen freshwater reserve. The
lake contains an outstanding variety of endemic flora and fauna, which
is of exceptional value to evolutionary science. It is also surrounded
by a system of protected areas that have high scenic and other natural
values. The Committee took note of the confirmation of the revised
boundaries of the site, which correspond to the core areas defined in
the Baikal Law (excluding the five urban developed areas). It also noted
that the special Lake Baikal Law is now in its second reading in the
Duma. Finally, it noted concern over a number of integrity issues
including pollution, which should be brought to the attention of the
Russian authorities.
