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Russia opposes Mongolia plan for HPP on tributary to UNESCO World Heritage lake

Mongolia is planning to build a hydro-electric power plant on Lake Baikal's main tributary, the Selenga river

NEW DELHI, February 6. /TASS/. Russia has expressed concern at plans by neighbouring Mongolia to build a hydro-electric power plant (HPP) on Lake Baikal's main tributary, the Selenga river.

Talks on proposals to build the Shuren plant had already taken place with the World Bank, on the agenda at a bank session in the Mongolian capital, Ulan Bator, in January, Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Sergey Donskoy told journalists on Friday.

But the project has got Russia concerned, the minister said. The ministry "assesses the situation as alarming and does not support the project at hand", he told reporters, adding that Russia and Mongolia had agreed to discuss the initiative together.

"We have sent our colleagues a letter and are waiting for their answer," he said. "They will tell us what they are planning to do next."