A/HRC/23/34/Add.1 distribution among indigenous peoples‟ organizations are being channelled to satellite organizations created by family members of those in power, and that no mechanism exists to ensure that the grant money actually reaches the intended beneficiaries. 67. Interlocutors explained that it was difficult for them to stay informed about legal and policy developments with an impact on the enjoyment of their cultural rights. They face such hurdles as the closing of their organizations for several days to impede them from standing for elections for the Public Chamber. In that respect, the establishment of effective information channels with the federal and regional authorities was requested. 68. According to interlocutors, in the Altai Republic, the Altai people consider themselves to be one single indigenous people, accounting for 34 per cent of the population. Allegedly, the local authorities, relying on ethnographic and anthropologic studies that stressed slight differences, consider the Altai to be several peoples who speak five different languages (not dialects), overriding the point of view of the community itself. Interlocutors believe the intention was to divide the Altai people and incite different groups to remain under 50,000 in number in order to benefit from programmes for numerically small indigenous peoples. It seems that disputes have arisen now over these issues among the Altai people themselves. The Special Rapporteur also underlines the concerns expressed by indigenous representatives that the population censuses fail to reflect their identities, because enumerators were untrained and the formulation of questions complex. 69. In 1993, the federal authorities granted a permit for the excavation of the mummy of the Ukok Princess,23 apparently without holding consultations with the local population. Indigenous peoples consider that the type of mounds in which the Princess was found are sacred places, which they want to keep as living heritage. They are further concerned by the information that the mummy will be displayed in a sarcophagus in a museum, which is unacceptable to them. The Special Rapporteur takes note of the response of the Government that there is no scientific proof that the Princess is the ancestor of the local indigenous population, and that limited access will be granted to the public in the museum. She recalls, however, that States should acknowledge, respect and protect the possible diverging interpretations that may arise over cultural heritage. 24 70. Other concerns expressed include issues relating to restricted access to sacred rivers and lakes (owing to the privatization of riverbanks) that indigenous peoples cannot afford to purchase; poor application of the provisions of the Water Code regarding possible constructions on the banks; the failure to prosecute cases of illegal hunting of sacred animals; and the misuse and misrepresentation of traditional throat singing for commercial and tourist purposes. 71. Furthermore, representatives of indigenous peoples are under the impression that private companies have no legal obligation to obtain consent from local indigenous groups for activities on their sacred sites. The Ministry of Regional Development, however, informed the Special Rapporteur that clear and transparent procedures are in place requiring regional authorities to consult communities before companies are authorized to commence activities, and that written agreements between regional authorities and companies stress the obligations of the latter. The Special Rapporteur notes, however, that the populations concerned do not find these procedures transparent. She appreciates the openness of the Ministry of Regional Development in acknowledging that the joint interests of companies and of the region may diverge from those of the local communities. 23 24 14 See UNESCO, Preservation of the Frozen Tombs of the Altai Mountains (available from http://whc.unesco.org/uploads/news/documents/news-433-1.pdf), 2008. A/HRC/17/38, para. 80 (a).