Environmentalists have called for a extensive study of reducing water levels in Lake Baikal.

"The problem looks very serious at first glance but as far as we know there have been no thorough studies as of yet," Greenpeace Russia program director Ivan Blokov told Interfax on Thursday.

He said further decline in Baikal water levels should be prevented and extensive studies should be conducted.

"This can be done by any serious scientific institution. This can be done by domestic scientists," the environmentalist said.

"Perhaps, the probability of catastrophic consequences of the reduction of water levels and the destruction of the lake is not very high. A sharp change in water levels in Lake Baikal happened several decades ago. Its implications lingered for several decades and some remain visible until now. The current reduction of water levels will definitely have negative implications and the only question is their degree," Blokov said.

The Federation Council member representing Buryatia, Arnold Tulokhonov, appealed to the Russian Prosecutor General's Office over reducing water levels in Lake Baikal on Wednesday. A decline in Lake Baikal water levels has cut well water supply and affected shallow bays, the Buryatia government press service said on January 12.

It said water levels were down approximately 40 centimeters year-on-year for the first time in 60 years.

Read more: Lake Baikal water levels down 16 inches first time in 60 years

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.