XN000022-1996-04-24 — Page 7

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Speaking after the signing ceremony, Dr Lee said the study was aimed at formulating a planning strategy to promote the conservation of Mai Po, developing a management plan and providing adequate wardening for the area.

Dr Lee said: "The study is necessary to achieve the obligations under the Ramsar Convention and to make recommendations for the effective management of the area. These recommendations would include, inter alia, detailed options for habitat creation and restoration, ecological survey and monitoring, vegetation and wildlife managernent, establishment and maintenance of visitor centres and education facilities."

The principal objectives of the study are to characterise the ecological value and function of each habitat type, to assess possible threats and land-use impacts on the wetland ecosystem and to identify environmental, socio-economic and other issues relevant to the conservation management of the site, he added.

The contract for the study has been awarded to Aspinwall Clouston Limited, which will lead a consultancy team composed of local and overseas wetland ecologists, ornithologists, zoologists, botanists, other professionals and management specialists.

The Aspinwall Clouston team will provide expertise on integrated land-use planning, environmental planning and management, landscape planning, ecological studies and urban design services. The team will be co-led by Wetlands International who will be responsible for the preparation of the conservation objectives, conservation strategy and the management objectives for the study.

months.

The study, which will begin on May 1, is expected to be completed in nine

Covering an area of about 1,500 hectares, the Mai Po and Inner Deep Bay was listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in September 1995. The Mai Po Marshes Restricted Area was extended under the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance in January this year to cover the Inner Deep Bay inter- tidal mudflats.

At the Conference of Parties of the Ramsar Convention held in Brisbane last month, the Brisbane Initiative was adopted. The Initiative calls for the establishment of a network of listed sites along the East Asia-Australasian Flyway for migratory shorebirds managed to maintain their suitability for migratory birds.