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THE GOLDEN MOUNTAINS OF ALTAI A Treasure of Biodiversity and Culture Publisher: Altai Alliance

Produced by: Pacific Environment

Written by: Jennifer Castner and Pacific Environment

Senior Editor and Production Manager: Meerim Kylychbekova

Contributors: Chagat Almashev, Matt Foley, Gleb Raygorodetsky, Don Weeden

Editors: David Gordon, Leah Zimmerman, Michael Martin

Contact: [email protected]

Copyright 2009

Cover Photos: Carol Hiltner, World Wildlife Fund, Ashley Tindall (top), Flickrcc/Ilya Schurov (middle), Meerim Kylychbekova (bottom).

Design: Design Action Collective THE GOLDEN MOUNTAINS OF ALTAI A Treasure of Biodiversity and Culture

1 THE GOLDEN MOUNTAINS OF ALTAI

Introduction Nestled in the Golden Mountains of Altai in south - health, water quality, critical habitat, and the local ern , the Republic of Altai is a unique blend tourism-based economy. of ancient cultures, stunning landscapes, and extraordinarily high biodiversity. The republic bor - In this paper, we explore why the Altai is a high- ders , , and , covering priority conservation area, what threats the region 93,000 square kilometers—an area roughly the size faces today, and where the most significant conser - of the state of Indiana. Sacred sites dot the repub - vation opportunities are located. The paper discusses lic’s varied terrain. Its lands include temperate and specific recommendations to engage in and advance boreal forests, dramatic alpine landscapes, rich agri - these conservation opportunities. It focuses on: cultural lands, the wild and scenic River, and • Strengthening cultural and environmental the remote and fragile . activism;

The republic’s relative isolation and lack of devel - • Promoting alternative energy and green-building opment mean that its landscape and habitats remain technologies; largely intact. Many community members are com - mitted to protecting their sacred land, and some • Creating and strengthening protected areas; and open-minded government officials are ready to • Supporting eco-tourism, effective land-use plan - consider sustainable and renewable technologies. Yet ning, and legislative and policy reforms. external pressures on the region are numerous. The Russian government’s plans to open the border Taken together, increased efforts to protect Altai’s with China by means of a gas pipeline would have environment and cultures will lead to conservation enormous ecological impacts on the region. Other victories that can establish Altai as a model for large development projects, like the proposed Altai environmental protection and sustainable develop - Dam on the Katun River, would endanger public ment. Ancient Peoples, Ancient Crossroads

The Altai is an ancient crossroads that has been cal and cultural ties to other Turkic groups of the inhabited by Scythians, Turks, Uigurs, , former Soviet Union, the Altaian people maintain Altaians (also known historically as ), and close relationships with neighboring Tyva and more others. The entire region has been home to both distant -Yakutia, and with in settled peoples and nomadic cultures for millennia. Central . Some scientists even point to evidence indicating that humans have inhabited the region for one to The Altaians are a Turkic people who have settled two million years. 1 A great number of archaeologi - in the greater Altai region. Originally nomadic, the cal sites across the republic contain petroglyphs, kur - Altaians became more settled with Russian influ - gans ,2 and ancient artifacts, some dating as far back ence. Today, many live a partial subsistence lifestyle as the Stone and Bronze ages. that includes hunting, gathering, and animal hus - bandry. They speak Altaian, a Turkic language, and Today, the Republic of Altai is home primarily to practice a mixture of and , native Altaians, ethnic , and . The influenced by both animism and Russian Altaian people make up about one-third of the Orthodoxy. Many mountains, rivers, lakes, and republic’s population. Their traditional and spiritual high-elevation plateaus are considered sacred sites culture continues to figure prominently in people’s by the Altaians, which often translates into a local daily lifestyles, blending with the influence of cultural and spiritual mandate for protecting natural Russian and post-Soviet cultures. Given the histori - resources and landscapes.

2 A TREASURE OF BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURE

Ancient petroglyphs of Elangash (Kosh Agach area). Photo by Meerim Kylychbekova.

Sacred Landscapes The Altaians’ culture and spirituality are tied deeply which is surrounded by ancient Siberian pine to the region’s dramatic landscapes. The people live forests. In the south, the landscape transforms into close to the land. Their culture is inextricably large plateaus with rich biodiversity and, in linked to the surrounding landscape. They revere some places, permafrost tundra. many animals as sacred and venerate the mountains and rivers of the republic’s unique geography. The largest rivers in the republic, the Katun and , flow from the of Mount Belukha and The form a dizzying alpine ecosys - , respectively. The Katun and Biya tem, with crystalline lakes and glaciers dotting the merge to become the River, which ultimately mountainous terrain. Mount Belukha, located along joins with the Irtysh River to form the longest the southern border with Kazakhstan, is the range’s river system in . To the native Altaians and highest summit, standing more than 4,500 meters local residents, these magnificent rivers are sacred tall. It is also a sacred mountain, traditionally called and tied to generations of history and lore. Many Uch Sumer , or “three peaks.” Forests cover approxi - shamans attend to the spirit of the Ob River mately 25% of the republic’s territory. Its largest (Toibodym in Altaian), known for its self-will and lake is Lake Teletskoye, or Altyn Kol (Golden Lake), power.

1. Most well-known, perhaps, is the Pazyryk Ice Princess, discovered in 1993 on the Ukok Plateau and documented in National Geographic .

2. is a Turkic word, widely used in Russia, , and the Caucasus, to identify a type of burial mound constructed over a pit grave or a burial chamber. These chambers were complex structures, often containing the bodies of animals, household utensils and tools, weaponry, and jewelry. Native Altaians strongly oppose any type of interference with the , including archeological excavations, as they believe it will result in serious ramifications like natural disasters.

3 THE GOLDEN MOUNTAINS OF ALTAI

Mount Belukha. Photo by Ashley Tindall.

Wealth of Biodiversity With limited infrastructure—fewer than 2,000 miles known ungulate in the region is the Argali mountain of paved roads cross through the entire region—and sheep, a highly endangered species whose distinctive a population of only 200,000 people, the Republic twisting horns make it a prized target of poachers of Altai boasts a wealth of biodiversity. Perhaps most and trophy hunters. Fewer than 350 sheep remain in well-known among the region’s species is the mag - Russia’s Altai. 4 The republic is also known for nificent snow leopard, a large reclusive cat whose Siberian ibex, roe deer, and maral deer, which occur range once extended across much of Central Asia. naturally but are also farmed for horns and meat. Due to habitat losses, Rich concentrations of raptors and other birds can decreased prey access, also be found in the region. and poaching, the leop - ard is now critically The Republic of Altai’s biodiversity also extends to endangered and the plant world. The Altai is well known for its restricted to high alpine medicinal herbs, which occur both in the wild and areas in Tibet and in cultivation. Golden root is a popular medicinal China. 3 An elusive crea - plant highly sought throughout Asia. Many herbal ture, the snow leopard teas, roots, berries, honeys, and non-timber forest spends most of its time products such as Siberian pine nuts are collected and in alpine zones and is sold within Russia and across Asia. South Korea is a difficult to study and particularly valuable market for many of the Altai’s track. medicinal products.

Other key predator Much of the richly biodiverse Altai is a working species found in the landscape where subsistence farmers and livestock Altai include wolves, herders have lived in sustainable coexistence with fox, lynx, and the nature for hundreds or thousands of years. Forests in manul cat. The republic the north gradually give way to higher and drier Top: Snow leopard (Irbis). Photo courtesy of is also home to brown steppe and pasture lands in the alpine south. These Snow Leopard Conservancy. Bottom: Argali bears, wild boar, and provide vast open spaces for the seasonal pasturing of sheep. Photo by Richard Reading. wolverines. The best- cows, sheep, goats, horses, camels, and yaks.

3. According to the International Snow Leopard Trust, snow leopards are still found in 12 countries, with the largest numbers found in China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Pakistan. China (-Uyghur Autonomous Region) and Mongolia have the largest habitats. 4. International Union for the Conservation of Nature, “The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Ovis ammon,” January 28, 2009, http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/15733.

4 A TREASURE OF BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURE

Communities Protecting Nature

Both the ’s government and its people • Zakazniks , or wildlife refuges. These offer the have long recognized the importance of conserving next-greatest level of protection and are often cre - and protecting the territory’s natural wealth. Thanks ated to protect a particular species while still to efforts by local and national environmentalists and allowing limited commercial activities, such as the Russian government, UNESCO designated the logging, hunting of non-protected species, and “Golden Mountains of Altai” a World Heritage Site livestock grazing. in 1998. This site, covering 16,000 square kilometers, includes three separate areas: Altaisky , • Nature parks. These are one of Russia’s newest with a buffer zone around Lake Teletskoye; Katunsky forms of protected areas. They allow great latitude Zapovednik, with a buffer zone around Mount in the kinds of activities that can go on inside a Belukha; and the Ukok Quiet Zone on the Ukok given area (e.g., tourism), but still keep nature Plateau. conservation as the primary goal. Nearly all nature parks incorporate lands used by local people, from Beyond the UNESCO designation, conservation farms and to seasonal grazing lands. efforts in the republic have led to an extensive sys - tem of protected areas designed to safeguard flora Grassroots support for nature park creation in Altai is and fauna. Approximately 25% of the republic has rising. Nature parks in particular are seen as a way to some form of protected status. This protected areas protect the precious lands and wildlife valued by network includes: . The parks also afford Altaians a way to continue their communal traditions of land use, • , or federally created nature preserves. enabling them to profit from sustainable tourism and These areas afford the highest protections, with secure jobs for local residents. highly restricted public access and a mission dedi - cated primarily to the study and protection of key species.

Summer flowers in Karakol Valley (Uch Enmek Park). Photo by Meerim Kylychbekova.

5 THE GOLDEN MOUNTAINS OF ALTAI

Threats and Challenges

The ecological damage concomitant with large-scale river by local Altaians. The northern half of the construction, industrialization, and resource extrac - Katun is especially accessible, and many tourists from tion schemes has largely bypassed the Altai Republic. across Russia and around the world visit it each year. The region’s mountainous, underdeveloped roads Unfortunately, its free-flowing and fast waters and its and its distance from Russia’s established rail system deep alpine valleys have also made it a target for have allowed local residents and native Altaians to construction of a large hydroelectric dam. protect their culture and traditional land-use prac - tices. Despite local government officials’ good inten - The idea for a hydroelectric dam project on the tions and general public support for nature protec - Katun River dates back to the 1980s. In one of its tion and habitat conservation, however, the Altai first major victories, the Soviet environmental move - Republic faces ongoing challenges and specific ment successfully halted this project through protests threats. and scientific research. Recently, however, - based financial interests have attempted to re-launch The Altai (Russia-China) Gas Pipeline dam construction by securing land rights. The cur - through the Ukok Plateau rent proposal is to construct a 50-meter dam that After traveling to China in early 2006 to explore would flood over 730 hectares of land, destroy three trade relations, Russian PresidentVladimir bridges across the Katun River, add several roads, and announced that a 2,700-kilometer gas pipeline remove a large portion of land from the “commons” would be constructed from western Siberia to used by local residents. The dam would virtually China’s Xinjiang Province. As proposed, the pipeline eliminate much of the recreational tourism for will bisect the Altai Republic and pass over the frag - which the Republic of Altai is famous. Hundreds of ile tundra of the Ukok Plateau. The area is recog - small lodging facilities and hiking, camping, and nized locally, nationally, and internationally as worthy water-sport businesses rely on the free flow of the of protection, and is part of the UNESCO World Katun River. The dam would severely undermine Heritage Site. the river’s sacred status, as the core of local beliefs and traditions around Katun is based on its pristine Local residents responded to the pipeline plans with nature. great concern, voicing anxiety about potential dam - age to the tundra and to archaeological and sacred “Wild Tourism” sites in the region. They are concerned that a Tourism—including eco-tourism, adventure sports, pipeline and its accompanying road opening the bor - hunting, fishing, health spas, and even science- and der to China will lead to unregulated development, agro-tourism—is an increasingly important part of increased illegal logging, and a flood of Chinese the Republic of Altai’s economy. Mount Belukha has products crowding out Russian goods. Local, nation - been a popular mountain climbing destination since al, and international environmental groups are the early 1900s. Russian and international visitors undertaking a major campaign currently to ensure have flocked to the region in increasing numbers that the pipeline will not be built through the cul - since that time, with over 450,000 tourists in 2002 turally and historically significant Ukok Plateau. alone, according to the republic’s Ministry of Tourism. Katun River: Dam and Development Sprawl The Katun River is one of the last large, undammed While this trend illustrates an excellent opportunity wild and scenic rivers in Russia. Flowing for over for the Republic of Altai to develop a non-agricul - 680 kilometers, the Katun is famous for its - tural revenue stream, many people are concerned blue waters, alpine valleys, and world-class kayaking that unorganized and unregulated tourism in the and rafting. The Katun is also considered a sacred region could lead to problems in waste management,

6 A TREASURE OF BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURE

threats to habitat and biodiversity, damage to sacred small placer mines can cause significant damage to and archaeological sites, conflict with local land waterways. users, and increased risks of forest fires. In some localities, the development of lodging and recre - One of the possible uses of the proposed Katun ational facilities is not well regulated and controlled. Dam’s energy production would be to build an alu - Many builders and business owners circumvent land- minum smelting facility using imported alu - use and building codes by paying bribes or by simply minum ore—a phenomenon often seen in develop - assuming that already overwhelmed and under- ing countries where hydroelectric power generation funded government agencies will not be able to stop and labor are cheap. them. Although the Altai Republic’s forests are generally The terms “eco-tourism” and “green tourism” are in good condition, with some recovering from used liberally in Russia—particularly in the Altai. Soviet over-harvesting, poor use of timber resources Often, however, there are no actual assurances that is a common problem. Local forests are the primary their impacts are ecologically sustainable. Many con - source of building materials and heating fuel in the sider tourism a panacea for the republic’s economic countryside, but a lack of milling equipment means woes, but without the creation of an underlying that much high-grade timber is used for the low- tourism infrastructure and education for local people grade purpose of heating fuel. Grazing animals often in providing services and management, it is likely adversely affect forest regeneration. that tourism will continue to cause increased ecolog - Wildlife poaching is a two-dimensional problem: ical problems along with economic benefits. rich outsiders and poor locals. Trophy hunters in hel - Other Threats and Challenges icopters fly in to remote areas to hunt many species Overgrazing continues to be one of the most of big game year-round, often without regard for widespread problems in the Republic of Altai. While seasonal restrictions or game refuge boundaries. nomadic herding has been an important practice in Local subsistence hunters work on the ground, most - the region for millennia, the Soviet system created ly in winter, and hunt animals with value for fur or vast herds of cattle, sheep, horses, and goats that over - Eastern medicine. Some poached animals, including grazed and damaged the landscape. Overgrazing has the beautiful snow leopard, are endangered. Increased eliminated much of the natural vegetation in some and more effective enforcement is needed for both areas, resulting in erosion and desertification, loss of groups of poachers, and local poachers need better bird and small animal habitat, and the introduction of alternative economic opportunities. non-native species. Livestock numbers crashed after Land privatization is progressing in Russia and the collapse of the Soviet Union: people used their will pose many new problems. Towns in desirable animals for sustenance when markets and stores were tourist areas are already changing, as newcomers buy literally bare of goods. Herds are now rebounding, out local residents, tear down their small houses, and and historical problems may recur as the market make way for larger destination homes for tourists. economy develops, as land is privatized, and as semi- Unsophisticated farmers may lose land that has subsistence farm families increase their cash incomes. always been under their control. Communal patterns Other management issues, such as minimal local of use may be altered. Local governments may lose meat and dairy processing capacity, also present chal - the ability to plan development and govern use lenges for local agriculture. unless they adopt zoning laws.

Small-scale mining for , tungsten, and other Finally, global climate change is likely to have a metals is active in the republic. Much of it occurs significant impact on Altai’s biodiversity and culture. with little regulatory oversight or enforcement. These The highest part of the Altai Mountains, including

7 THE GOLDEN MOUNTAINS OF ALTAI

the Katun, South , and North Chuya ranges, contains about 70 percent of all the glaciers in southern Siberia. These glaciers provide fresh water Center for Ecology to the upper tributaries of the Ob andYenisey rivers, and Culture of Altai (CECA) two of Siberia’s primary rivers that flow toward the Gorno-Altaisk, Republic of Altai Arctic. Rising temperatures, however, have con - Natalya Tokova, who got her start at the Fund for tributed to the loss of glacial ice. Sustainable Development of Altai, founded CECA in 2007. CECA works to develop environmental policy, protect biodi - versity, conduct outreach, and facilitate the renewal of the ecological heritage of Altai for its sustainable development. Natalya Tokova spearheaded an extensive network of Conservation Opportunities activists and community members throughout the republic— and beyond—and organized a republic-wide conference to Despite the myriad challenges facing the Republic of develop effective strategies to address current environmen - Altai and its people, the region presents many oppor - tal issues. Under her leadership, activists are campaigning tunities to promote environmental protection, cul - actively against the Katun Dam project and exposing illegal tural security, and sustainable development thanks to and poorly managed logging projects near Lake Teletskoye. its limited infrastructure and population and its active indigenous and environmental organizations. Key Tengri School of Spiritual Ecology and opportunities include: the Association of Altai Protected Areas • Strengthening cultural and environmental Onguday, Republic of Altai activism; Danil Mamyev is one of the founders of Uch-Enmek Nature • Promoting alternative energy and green-building Ethnic Park, a board member for the Foundation for technologies; Sustainable Development Altai (FSDA), and president of the Association of Altai Protected Areas. Danil is committed not • Creating and strengthening protected areas; and only to protecting his own people’s traditional territories but also to the preservation of indigenous land and culture • Supporting eco-tourism, effective land-use plan - across the Altai. With the Tengri School of Spiritual Ecology, ning, and legislative and policy reforms. he attempts to bring the traditions of Altai’s indigenous peo - ple into the environmental consciousness of all citizens and to create research centers introducing models of sustainable Cultural and Environmental Activism: development based on native Altai philosophy. Capacity Building for Local Community- based Organizations Danil also participates in the regional government as Chair A strong environmental conservation movement has of the Land Use Committee in Onguday . He has been grown throughout Russia. The burgeoning move - actively promoting region-wide zoning to preserve environ - ment has seen many successes in recent years, rang - mental and cultural values in the impending post-privatiza - ing from securing President Putin’s decision to tion era. In the coming year, he will develop a contract for reroute the Siberia-Pacific Pipeline to protect Lake the resource-assessment and GIS-mapping work necessary Baikal to the Russian government moving to to develop a zoning law, with co-funding from FSDA. revoke environmental permits for the ecologically devastating –II oil and gas project. Simultaneously, a movement of indigenous activists is growing in the country, with Altai at the center

8 A TREASURE OF BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURE

for indigenous activists working to protect tradi - Recommendations: tional cultures. • Provide core support to local indigenous and Activists in both the Republic of Altai and sur - conservation NGOs for staff salaries, office space, rounding Altai Region have united together with and legal fees; the larger Russian environmental movement to tar - get key issues, including the and • Sponsor international and regional exchanges of Altai Dam. These grassroots organizations work in experts, activists, and indigenous representatives, coalitions locally, regionally, and nationally to ensure with a focus on information exchange, coalition that federal and regional public participation laws building, and professional development in the are followed. They also work to help guarantee that areas of community participation, public moni - environmental impact assessments are thorough and toring, environmental law, and sustainable devel - that potentially disastrous projects are improved, opment; mitigated, or stopped.

Successful capacity building of grassroots organiza - Fund for 21st Century Altai tions includes direct financial support—both core , Altai Region support and project-specific support—information exchange, technology acquisition, and trainings. In the 1980s, activists and community members battled a Core support is particularly important in ensuring large hydroelectric dam proposed for the Katun River. Mikhail an organization’s stability and its ability to conduct Shishin, an art history professor based in Barnaul in the Altai long-term programs. It is also vital for groups Region, helped catalyze a national campaign to stop the pro - addressing specific threats from resource extraction posed Katun Dam. In 1997, Shishin was awarded the Conde projects. Nast Traveler Environmental Award, and used the money from the award to create the Fund for 21st Century Altai. In the 10 years since, the fund has played a key role in advocating for UNESCO’s designation of a World Heritage Site, continuing campaigns to stop destructive projects such as the Katun Dam, and facilitating the establishment of the transboundary International Coordinating Council for Greater Altai. The coun - cil works with the four member countries of China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Russia to improve management of transboundary economics, nature conservation and ecology, laws and policies, and governance.

The Fund also has two small commercial organizations: an independent TV studio, “Katun,” which creates and broad - casts environmental and social awareness programs, and a travel agency, “Milky Way,” which organizes eco-tours. In an important new endeavor, the fund is building an Altai Center for Renewable Energy Technology, based in the of in the Republic of Altai. The center will showcase new energy technologies and sustainable architecture and design, provide meeting space for technology providers and end users, and conduct workshops and trainings. Elders looking over sacred stones. Photo by Evgeny Butushev.

9 THE GOLDEN MOUNTAINS OF ALTAI

• Provide technology grants to existing NGOs to Recommendations: support the purchase of video equipment for documenting issues and successes, computers and • Provide seed funding for technology purchases, network equipment to facilitate information design, installation, operation, and maintenance exchange, and GPS and GIS equipment for map - in remote villages; ping and surveying; • Support the development of new government • Fund local organizations to conduct public envi - policies and regulatory agencies needed to ronmental impact reviews and cultural impact implement grid-tied renewable technologies, reviews of potentially harmful projects; and including the basic concept of metering;

• Support international organizations with linguis - • Support surveying for wind mapping and gather - tic and cultural expertise working in the Altai to ing the climatic data necessary for proper site assist with researching and translating materials, installations; networking and coalition building, facilitating • Support advocacy efforts to stop construction of joint advocacy work, and bringing international the Altai Dam and the Altai Gas Pipeline, pro - leverage points to bear on threatening projects in moting alternative energy developments instead; the republic. • Establish links with universities, technology researchers and providers, and communities to Alternative Energy increase local technical expertise and to facilitate Energy is a key issue in the Republic of Altai: planning; and where it comes from, how much it costs, who pays • Launch a microcredit program for renewables for it, and who controls it. All of the republic’s elec - and sustainable architecture installations. tricity is generated outside the region and is relayed on transmission lines from the neighboring Altai Region. The republic’s officials are motivated to develop locally owned and operated power sources. Creating and Strengthening Protected Areas Communities, small businesses, and individuals are Despite some form of protection for a quarter of eager to meet their own power needs cheaply, using the Republic of Altai’s territory, the system of pro - local resources. Implementation of renewable ener - tections is weak. It is very new, and protected areas gy technologies inside the Republic of Altai would do not have the funding, staffing, or infrastructure reduce its energy and economic dependence on to operate effectively. Nature park staff have large federal subsidies and imported electricity. It would responsibilities with inadequate resources. Each also provide an alternative to the larger, more park, regardless of size, has a staff of approximately destructive Altai Dam. five individuals, several of whom lack experience. Rangers generally have post-secondary education, Technologies such as active and passive solar, wind but it is often in unrelated fields. The extent of a power, methane gas digesters, and mini- and micro- park staff’s legal responsibility and authority is often hydroelectric power generators are all considered insufficient or unclear. The parks system is so young applicable in the Republic of Altai. Many Altai offi - that there is no central management structure, leav - cials enthusiastically support the concept of renew - ing local staff members to improvise. Communica- able energy development. The challenge with all of tions are difficult; radios for field use do not exist, these technologies, however, remains funding their and, in some cases, the Altai telephone system does design, installation, and long-term maintenance and not even extend to park headquarters. Additionly, operation. parks are often expected to generate a portion of

10 A TREASURE OF BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURE

their annual budget from tourism and other Arkhar sources, forcing park staff to dedicate time to Gorno-Altaisk, Republic of Altai tourists and removing critical, scarce resources from Arkhar is a local wildlife conservation NGO working to conserve ecological protection efforts. two highly endangered species: the snow leopard and Argali Recommendations: sheep, a Central Asian big horn sheep. Arkhar’s director, Mikhail Paltsyn, is a biologist and GIS expert who worked for the Altaisky • Provide additional support for ecosystem-based and Katunsky Zapovedniks (nature preserves) for over 10 years. land-use planning that incorporates community Paltsyn’s background provides him with important expertise for input, including basic technology, GIS training, strengthening Altai’s protected areas and biodiversity conserva - and surveying; tion. Currently Paltsyn also works as Endangered Species Group Leader for the UNDP/GEF project, “Biodiversity Conservation in the • Support customs training and enforcement, Russian Portion of Altai-Sayan Ecoregion.” endangered species trade restrictions, protected areas enforcement, and anti-poaching patrols; provision of services, many people can be employed • Provide core operating support for basic infra - in manufacturing souvenirs or fine handicrafts or in structure of existing protected areas, including distributing specialty products like honey or salaries, operations, transport, public outreach, Siberian pine nuts. All of these occupations can environmental education, visitor centers, scientif - provide a valuable source of income for local resi - ic research, and species inventories; dents in an area where unemployment is very high • Assist efforts to create new protected areas and to and salaries very low. Current levels of tourism are expand existing ones; already straining existing infrastructure, however. Planned and existing tourist facilities need to be • Offer support to pursue transboundary designed to have minimal impacts on the environ - conservation efforts with China, Kazakhstan, ment. and Mongolia; Recommendations: • Sponsor international and regional exchanges of experts, activists, protected areas managers, and • Sponsor trainings in “leave no trace” philoso - local and regional government officials; phy—including cultural sensitivity for sacred sites—for protected areas managers, tour opera - • Support local networking of park staff and sup - tors, and community members; porters, such as that provided by the regular meetings of the Altai Association of Protected • Support the development of waste management Areas; and plans for protected areas and communities heavi - ly impacted by tourism; • Aid the local establishment of permanent post- secondary educational programs for park person - • Sponsor the development of signage, brochures, nel and local tourism entrepreneurs. trail maps, visitor centers, environmental educa - tion, and general public outreach and education materials;

Supporting Eco-tourism, Effective Land-use • Provide hospitality training for locals to provide Planning, and Legislative and Policy Reforms an alternative to poaching; and Developing environmentally and culturally sustain - able tourism can be an important source of revenue • Develop microcredit and small-business develop - for the Republic of Altai, providing jobs and other ment programs for seed money to launch small income for local people. In addition to direct business ventures.

11 THE GOLDEN MOUNTAINS OF ALTAI

Altai-based NGOs and Projects

Without the hard work and dedication of local Altai include Greenpeace–Russia, which works projects and NGOs, much of the progress made in proactively and collaboratively with local NGOs to Altai conservation over the last 20 years would not address large-scale threats to conservation and bio - have happened. Throughout this paper, we have diversity in the republic. World Wide Fund for highlighted the work of number of local NGOs: Nature’s (WWF) Altai-Sayan project, while spread Arkhar, Foundation for Sustainable Development of over a much larger territory, also devotes significant Altai, Fund for 21st Century Altai, Altai Association resources to the Republic of Altai, supporting gov - of Protected Areas, and Tengri School of Spiritual ernment programs, ecosystem-based planning, Ecology. These groups conduct activism and public research initiatives, anti-poaching brigades, and education and outreach, watchdog potentially parks management. harmful projects, attract regional and international In addition to the Tengri School of Spiritual support, provide technical expertise, conduct inter - Ecology, a number of groups provide support for national exchanges, support protected areas, and Altai’s indigenous communities. The Russian promote science-based conservation. Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North Other key Siberian NGOs that conduct projects or (RAIPON) has a number of chapters in the repub - work collaboratively in the Republic of Altai lic. RAIPON provides national support from its include the Siberian Environmental Center, Moscow office, advocating for federal laws, policies, EcoDom, ISAR–Siberia in , and and projects to benefit indigenous peoples across Research and Protection Agency in Kemerovo Russia. Region. National Russian organizations working in

Shaman Maria Amanchina and local expert Maya Erlenbaeva documenting sacred stones. Photo by Ashley Tindall.

12 A TREASURE OF BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURE

International Conservation Efforts

Due to Altai’s remote location and relative isolation, traditional lands. TAP has been working for many there are only a few international groups regularly years with grassroots groups in the Republic of involved in conservation activities in the Altai Altai and , including the Fund for 21st Republic. Century Altai, Arkhar, and the Tengri School of Spiritual Ecology. They also work with the staffs of Pacific Environment, a -based organi - many of the republic’s protected areas. zation, has worked alongside Altai groups for 15 years. Pacific Environment works to protect the liv - The Global Environmental Facility (GEF), in coop - ing environment of the Pacific Rim and partners eration with the United Nations Development with leading environmental and indigenous organi - Program (UNDP), recently launched a new multi- zations throughout Siberia and the Russian Far million dollar biodiversity and conservation pro - East. Pacific Environment conducts joint advocacy gram in the region. This project is expected to with grassroots organizations by offering technical interface mainly with government programs and support and expertise, connecting Russian environ - larger NGOs such as WWF. In an early stage of mental leaders with colleagues and decision-makers implementation, local groups are concerned that around the world, and by providing grants to sup - the program will not provide on-the-ground con - port leading Russian environmental organizations. servation benefits. Pacific Environment works especially closely with Fund for 21st Century Altai and Foundation for Despite the significant conservation opportunities Sustainable Development of Altai. in Altai, few international funders have supported work in the area. The Weeden Foundation has been The Altai Assistance Project (AAP) is a group based the lead private foundation that has made commit - in New York’s six-million-acre Adirondack Park. ments over many years to conserving biodiversity AAP works to strengthen management and conser - and promoting sustainable development in Altai. vation systems of Altai nature parks, promote sus - The Trust for Mutual Understanding, which sup - tainable land-use planning and regulation, demon - ports exchanges between the U.S. and countries of strate alternative energy technology, and develop a the former Soviet Union, has also supported a community-based tourism network. AAP works in number of environmentally oriented exchanges close partnership with Gorno-Altaisk-based with Altai groups. The Ford Foundation has recent - Foundation for Sustainable Development of Altai. ly started supporting efforts in Altai through its environmental justice program. To fully realize the The Altai Project (TAP) is a project of Earth Island conservation opportunities in Altai, additional inter - Institute. TAP focuses on nature conservation, pro - national funders are needed. motes renewable energy and environmentally sus - tainable housing design, and supports indigenous organizations in their efforts to restore and protect

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