The Baikal region as a unified socio-ecological and economic system in the strategy of territorial development of the Russian Federation

Abstract

The Baikal region, which includes 3 constituent entities in the territory of the Russian Federation - the Republic of Buryatia, the Irkutsk Region and the Trans-Baikal Territory - should be considered due to its location (in the territory of the Lake Baikal drainage basin) and from the point of view of the regional economy as a single socio-ecological and economic system, whose development should be aimed at preserving the unique ecosystem of the deepest lake on the planet. However, in the Territorial Development Strategy of the Russian Federation, the Baikal region is not included in the list of macroregions despite its compliance with the general principles of their formation. In our opinion, the Baikal region is united by a specific mission entrusted to its population - the need to preserve the unique Baikal ecosystem while ensuring a decent level and quality of life for people living in the Baikal natural territory. The article analyzes the need for a transition to an environmentally oriented innovation economy, which allows transforming the "Baikal factor" from a problem that hinders economic growth into a resource for territorial development.