The Altai Republic is known for its rich cultural heritage and natural resources. The nearly thousand-kilometer-long Chui tract is considered one of the most picturesque roads in the world. Most importantly, this republic is home to the indigenous peoples of Altai, who consist of nearly 30% of the entire population --- about 66,000 out of the 220,000. Yet Altai residents have been endlessly fighting for their rights, again and again, opposing initiatives that threaten their culture and environment.
In 2006, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the construction of an export gas pipeline, which has been operating for nearly 13 years. Known as the "Power of Siberia-2," this pipeline has connected Siberian gas fields with the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in western China and the Chinese West-East gas pipeline, which delivers gas to Shanghai. The project agreement was officially signed in 2015 between Gazprom and the Chinese company CNPC.
However, the pipeline passes through the Ukok plateau in the Altai Republic, considered the UNESCO World Heritage Sites “Golden Mountains of Altai.” Environmentalists warn of potential violations of fragile ecosystems and Russia's international obligations to protect UNESCO Heritage Sites.
Many Russian and international organizations, as well as indigenous peoples themselves, for whom the Ukok plateau holds sacred meaning, protested against the construction of the gas pipeline. In 2008, about 15,000 signatures were collected for changing the route, and in 2013, more than 17,000.
In 2021, residents of the Turochak district protested against gold mining near Lake Teletsky. Lake Teletskoye is the second largest lake in Russia after Baikal and is included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. Public hearings on the development of the Breccia field gathered 224 participants, the majority of whom expressed concern about the likely contamination of a unique reservoir.
In September 2024, Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia and announced the completion of the project documentation and the current environmental impact assessment. However, Mongolia excluded the project from its development plan until 2028, attributed to possible sanctions or Ulaanbaatar's refusal to participate in the construction.
Federal authorities have continued to ignore the needs of the Altai residents, disrespectful of their culture and nature. As a result, the population has expressed their frustration through active protests.
These issues have gone to show the importance of the understanding between authority and society, that sustainable development is only possible when the interests and direct will of local residents are taken into account.
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