In Russia, a scandalous law has been adopted that effectively allows large-scale clear-cutting of forests in the protected area around Lake Baikal—one of the world’s most valuable ecosystems. The document will come into force on March 1, 2026. It is officially, and at the same time cynically, presented as a “law on the preservation of Baikal.” However, environmentalists and scientists openly state that, under the guise of caring for the region, large-scale commercial logging is being launched, opening up enormous economic opportunities for business, primarily those linked to China.
Previously, strict restrictions had been in place at Baikal for decades, protecting forest areas from industrial exploitation. Now, under the pretext of “sanitary logging” and “infrastructure development,” what is essentially total clearing of territories is permitted, with the right to sell the timber. This creates ideal conditions for corruption schemes and the legalization of illegal logging, and also encourages deliberate forest arson in order to have areas declared “damaged.”
A large share of the timber and resources of the Baikal region has traditionally been oriented toward export to China—a country that has long viewed Russian forests as a cheap raw-material base. China has already benefited from Russia’s forestry policy in the past, and the new law further simplifies access to unique natural resources under the guise of “environmental necessity.”
Environmentalists emphasize that the decision is being made in the interests of business, not nature. The law creates direct risks to the Baikal ecosystem and effectively turns the protected zone into a source of super-profits. Moscow once again demonstrates its willingness to sacrifice nature of global significance for short-term economic gain.
