LAKE BAIKAL REPRIEVED

Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, contains 20 per cent of the world's reserves of fresh water. Unique in its fauna and flora, for a long time it has been seen by Soviet citizens as a symbol of an area preserved in its natural state. Yet its ecosystem was in fact starting to disintegrate, threatened by industrial pollution. Scientists were the first to raise the alarm, which was taken up by the media. This widespread concern has recently led to a decision to apply draconian measures for the lake's protection.