ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF THE COST ESTIMATION OF BAIKAL WATERS
At present, more and more projects are being formed that significantly affect the water regimes of a unique natural object - Lake Baikal, which can lead to irreversible environmental consequences for the lake. These projects include plans for the construction of hydroelectric power plants on the main water source of Lake Baikal, on the Selenga River and its tributaries, the construction of water pipelines from the Selenga to the southwest of Mongolia and northwest of China, the creation of enterprises for bottling and large-scale export of Baikal water. For the analysis and discussion of this type of projects, it is important to have an assessment of the economic significance of the Baikal waters in different directions of their use. In this article, in the order of posing the question, the tasks of obtaining such estimates are discussed. The uniqueness of the water of Lake Baikal, the economic value of water, the energy significance of the water resources of the lake and Angara are considered. Possible variants of rental income from the use of hydro resources are analyzed. The problem of the Baikal water spill is highlighted. An idea has been put forward for the joint solution of the ecological and long-term economic problems of the Baikal natural territory with the participation of different regions of Russia and Mongolia, which is necessary to coordinate the use and consumption of water resources.