Universum Gallery opens the project "Pure Springs of Altai"

On February 1, 2020, the project “Pure Springs of Altai” opened supported by a grant from the President of the Russian Federation for the development of civil society. About ninety participants from the districts and cities of Altai Krai - schoolchildren and their teachers, students and interested public - gathered in the Universum Gallery of Altai State University.

The participants were able to get acquainted not only with lectures and educational events, but also with the personal exhibition of the member of the Union of Artists of Russia and the International Association of Fine Arts Pirgeldi Shirov “Melody of the East” and a photo exhibition of works by members of the Altai Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society. The exhibition was conducted by Tatyana Zaikina, an employee of the Institute of Arts and Design of Altai State University.

Project manager, chairperson of the Altai Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society, Irina Arkhipova told at the opening ceremony about how the project originated in the framework of the contests “Journey to the Land of Pure Water”, “Edge of Pure Water: My Point on the Map”. Many participants noted that they would like to study and protect the springs located near their settlements. Irina Arkhipova explained that the new project will not only teach about the diversity of natural waters and environmental problems of Altai Krai, but allows to take part in research and environmental work together with experts.

The main waterway of the region is the Ob River, whose length within the region is about 500 km, which is slightly more than 10% of its total length. The longest river within the region is Alei, its length is almost 900 km. Small rivers occupy 95% of the total number, and their total length is almost 50%. There are 11 thousand lakes in the region, the largest of them are located in the steppe zone of Altai Krai. Over 70 reservoirs and ponds with a capacity of 1 million cubic meters have been built in the territory.

During the event, participants met with experts in the use and protection of water bodies ready to cooperate with initiative groups. As part of the event, activists of the Youth Club of the Altai Regional Branch of the Russian Geographical Society organized an informative game, which helped to learn a lot about water bodies and their geography.