Monday, May 01, 2000
The Mysterious Baikal
Suman ChopraSuman Chopra, is well known to Sawf readers for her no nonsense moderate view. Wife of a senior Air Force Officer currently based in Moscow, Suman peroidically steals time from her family and social responsibilities to enrich the Sawf columns with her views. |
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 There are not many places in the world, which blend in such perfect harmony, juvenility and antiquity of the planet earth, as does this Siberian outpost called Lake Bailkal. Surrounded by low mountains and extensive cover of forest, this nearly 20 Million-year-old wonderland attracts visitors from all over the world.
This crescent shaped Lake is the world's deepest and largest freshwater lake and is located in southern Siberia, Russia. 636 km long, 1637 meter deep, and up to 80 Km wide, it houses nearly 20% of the fresh water reserve of the earth, and its waters which are remarkably clear are home to hundreds of unique species of plants and animals. Its shoreline meanders for 2100 km and is broken by large bays, inlets and peninsulas. Over 300 rivers and streams feed the lake with melting waters from the Arctic ice. The only outlet is the Angara River that flows continuously through the year, west into the Yenisey River, and on its way passes the regional capital Irkutsk. The lake is frozen from January to May. Thus the good tourist season is July-August. Even in summers, the water of the lake is extremely cold and warms up to only 13 degrees centigrade, and only the very daring, and often only after being richly endowed with local Vodka, can dare to take a plunge. This land experiences three hundred types of winds, each named after the valley they arise from. Many a times, the wind chill factor could make the place deceptively cold.
 There are at least 1500 species that are found only in the Baikal. Salmon and sturgeon are fished heavily along the lake, where all that black Caviar comes from. Most fish oil is also used for medicinal purposes. Water here is called "living" or "life-giving" since from the surface to the very bottom, it is saturated with oxygen and air, which lend it both color and energy. Baikal is often considered a unique laboratory of nature. But who hath not eaten that smoked fish on the shores of Baikal knows not what is bliss.
The region is full of minerals and precious stones, some of which are found only in this region. Magnetite's, Quartz, gold, Mica, and Tantalum are some of the minerals. Timber and paper are the important industries. In 1916 the famous Barguzin reserve was created to preserve the "king of Fur", the noble Barguzin sable. For nearly four centuries fur was the main equivalent of money. More recently the Baikal National Park has been created but because of troubled economic times it has yet to venture in to making life comfortable for man and beast.
 Baikal has no other attractions but for those linked to the lake itself. There is a good museum. One could cross the Baikal by a ferry or go boating/fishing. The best way to get to Baikal is by Air. The nearest airport is 80 Km away at Irkutsk, which is the regional capital. It is a five and a half-hour flight from Moscow and the place is five hours ahead of Moscow in terms of time zone. Aeroflot still charges subsidized Russian rates and at 100 USD one-way, it is a steal by any standards.
One can find accommodation in Baikal mainly in guesthouses. Usually, people stay in Irkutsk and go to Baikal by road. Incidentally, the road was first built, as a high-speed project, for US President Ike Eisenhower's visit in the mid fifties. In Irkutsk, one could get a good quality accommodation in a hotel for about a hundred dollars. There are cheaper ones too, for about thirty to forty dollars.
Stone statues are the main local souvenirs. Drinking fresh lake water is a 'must' ritual. Tipplers must drink the vodka which has been made from Baikal water. Some mineral water bottlers bottle water tapped 400 meters deep, and that can be taken for friends and relatives. These will keep reminding you of the Great Baikal, smiling always, with a never fading serenity of countenance, and flourishing in an immortal youth.
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