The Altai Project reports that Russian energy giant Gazprom has begun intensive surveying work on a controversial natural gas pipeline from Russia to China even though the Russian Natural Resources ministry has voiced concerns that the pipeline would violate UNESCO conventions and recommended alternative routes be studied. Gazprom surveyors have been spotted throughout the Altai Republic, including the sacred Ukok Plateau, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Altai Project is collaborating with Cultural Survival in an international campaign to change the pipeline’s route. Current plans for the pipeline take it through remote mountain regions that are critical habitat for snow leopards, argali mountain sheep, and other endangered species.
For more information, please see the Cultural Survival action alert here.
A model letter to Russia’s president is available here.
