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Community Development Support Program in the Russian Federation Based on Information and Communication Technologies (CDSP-ICT) 2011-2014
#CDSP-ICT- 21
Utilization of new information and energy-efficiency technologies in remote settlements of Buryatia
Requested amount $12 000
Grantee and other contributions $3 000
Total cost $15 000
The urban municipality of Tankhoiskoye is located on the southern bank of Lake Baikal in Kabansky Raion of the Republic of Buryatia in the cooperation zone of Baikalsky Biosphere Reserve. Along with Tankhoi, which is the central settlement of the municipality, it also includes the settlements of Kedrovaya, Vydrinnaya, Dulikha and Mishikha (where an environmental and tourist center Baikalskaya Bird Tagging Station is being built at a remote outpost). The population of the municipality combined with annual visitors reaches 3,000. This area is part of the Lake Baikal UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the main priority is the preservation of the environment based on the sustainable use of natural resources and energy-efficiency.
Community problems addressed by the Project:
- Absence of guaranteed power supply and blackouts at remote locations in the reserve that do not have central power supply.
- The requirement to utilize alternative energy techniques and use renewable sources of energy in the reserve to reduce hazardous impacts on the environment.
- Lack of internet resources at the visitor center of Baikalsky Biosphere Reserve, which is attended by large numbers of tourists, and in communities located in its cooperation zone.
- Low employment level among residents living on Lake Baikal UNESCO World Heritage Site, where economic activity is limited and an ecotourism infrastructure still needs to be developed to provide jobs and improve wellbeing in the community.
- Need to introduce ICT to increase awareness in the community about advanced energy-saving techniques and help residents learn more about existing internet resources.
Project summary:
- Installation of solar batteries at the environmental and tourist center Baikalskaya Bird Tagging Station that is currently under construction in the remote settlement of Mishikha;
- Utilization of ICT to improve the infrastructure of the cooperation zone of Baikalsky Biosphere Reserve by installing wireless internet equipment at the visitor center of the reserve and in the international volunteers’ camp, thus providing stable internet access for the residents and guests of Tankhoi, Pereemnaya, Kedrovaya, Vydrinnaya and Mishikha settlements;
- Conducting training seminars for local residents on the use of the internet;
- The use of ICT (the websites of the reserve, Kabansky Raion Administration and regional media) for disseminating information on the importance of using renewable energy sources on protected nature areas.
Project results:
- An educational model site demonstrating the use of alternative sources of energy was opened for the residents of 5 settlements located in the cooperation zone of the reserve;
- The Bird Tagging Station was provided with power supply by installing solar batteries with a capacity of 360 W, thus allowing to save nearly 540 kW/h of energy during the season and to make it possible to successfully develop educational and tourist activities at Lake Baikal UNESCO World Heritage Site;
- 120 local residents were trained in the practice of using energy-saving technologies;
- Wireless internet equipment was installed at the visitor center of the reserve, in the international volunteers’ camp and in settlements located in the cooperation zone;
- At least 1,550 people were provided with guaranteed access to internet resources, including 1,000 local residents and nearly 550 tourists – this will facilitate social adaptation of the local population living in conditions of a special nature management zone;
- 5 practical internet education seminars were conducted for community members on the use of the internet;
- The level of tourist services and infrastructure at the visitor center of the reserve was improved and new jobs for people living in the cooperation zone were created.
Contact person:
Vasily Sutula, director of Baikalsky Biosphere Reserve
Contact information:
34 Krasnogvardeiskaya St., Tankhoi, Kabansky Raion, Republic of Buryatia 671220
Tel. 8 (30138) 93 725, fax 8 (30138) 93741 , e-mail vasilysu@mail.ruOrganization:
Title
Category
Profile
Baikalsky Biosphere Reserve
Government
Preservation, study and monitoring of nature complexes in Southern Lake Baikal Region, environmental education tourism and training environmental staff.
Duration (months)
11
Start date
01.04.2012
End date
28.02.2013
