The ice journey across Lake Baikal, launching All-Russian Days of Protection against Environmental Hazards, started in the region on March 21. The purpose of the crossing is environmental education, organization and promotion of health and family tourism.

      Along the way, participants will clean the lake shore, get acquainted with the monuments of architecture and construction history of the Circum-Baikal Railway. Here is the journey’s general route: departing by train from Irkutsk-Passazhirsky station to Staraya Angasolka, then walking across the Lake Baikal to the city of Slyudyanki and returning by multiple unit train back to Irkutsk.

      The total number of participants of the "Meeting Baikal" Ice crossing is 1000 people, representing environmental, youth, sports, creative and other public associations, collectives of scientific, educational, cultural and educational institutions, state environmental and other authorities, Siberian News Agency reports.