This update was prepared and posted by The Altai Project.
This update was prepared and posted by The Altai Project.
The Altai Project reports that Russian energy giant Gazprom has begun intensive surveying work on a controversial natural gas pipeline from Russia to China even though the Russian Natural Resources ministry has voiced concerns that the pipeline would violate UNESCO conventions and recommended alternative routes be studied.
In a letter addressed to the Fund for 21st Century Altai, Russia’s Minister of Natural Resources, R. R. Gizatulin, said that building a pipeline across the Ukok Plateau would violate Russia’s obligations to protect the Golden Mountains of Altai UNESCO World Heritage Site, of which Ukok is a part. The letter, dated July 21, 2011, was published by altapress.ru on August 3.