Greater Altai – Altai Krai, Republic of Altai, Tyva (Tuva), and Novosibirsk
Golden Mountains of Altai: Saving the Ukok Plateau and Halting the Katun Dam
Koshaga steppe
The remote Altai Region is located in southern Siberia near Mongolia and comprised of the Altai Krai and the Altai Republic.It provides a rare blend of high biodiversity, beautiful landscapes and unique culture. Thanks to Pacific Environment’s cooperation with local environmental groups, significant areas of Altai have been protected in new parks and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Currently the region is threatened by two major projects: a 2700-kilometer gas pipeline, which will be constructed from western Siberia to China’s Xinjiang Province, and a large dam that would block the wild and untamed Katun River.
Pacific Environment is partnering with groups in Altai to research and halt construction of the dam, while developing renewable energy projects as an alternative to large-scale hydropower. Local, national, and international environmental groups are currently planning a major campaign to ensure that the pipeline will not be built through the Ukok Plateau.
