Social and ecological problems of the Baikal region: analysis of public opinion of Olkhon island residents

The study deals with the social and ecological problems of the Baikal region and the attitude of local residents towards them. Olkhon Island is a part of the central environmental and water protection zone of Lake Baikal, which implies a ban on the industrial and production development, making the island a heavily subsidized district. This social and economic situation stimulates the outflow of local population in order to work in other regions in non-peak season and increases the negative mood of residents followed by their requirements to remove restrictions and prohibitions. The research analyzes the attitude of local people towards the Pribaikalsky National Park as a state organization and the tourist arrivals in this regard. The sociological surveys revealed two groups of respondents with the contrary opinions on the increasing tourist flow to Olkhon Island. The views of these groups should be taken into account when developing tourism policy in the Baikal region.