ructure, and running costs) which are required to achieve the drainage proposed and to exploit the drained land.
Other neighbouring wetland areas
In addition to the areas included within the Ramsar site, several other wetland areas in the region are of international interest. Most notable among these is the Laguna de Rocha which is widely regarded as being one of the most important sites in Latin America for migratory waterbirds. More information is needed on this and other similar sites in order to identify their precise management requirements. This is of particular importance as effective protection of these sites could be an appropriate compensatory measure for loss of some of the wetland area within the Bañados del Este.
i) Despite the considerable national and international concern for the Bañados del Este, there is today a rising willingness on the part of the government of Uruguay to address these problems and to identify solutions. This effort should be supported by the Ramsar Convention and particular efforts made to ensure that solutions are pursued through an integrated interdisciplinary approach, and through an inter-institutional consensus which involves both government and non-governmental institutions.
ii) It is clear that large areas of the original site designated under the Ramsar Convention have been converted to agriculture and can no longer be considered as wetlands. While it is extremely regrettable that this occurred without a full environmental impact assessment, the limits of the Ramsar site now need to be reviewed and those areas which are clearly under intensive agricultural production or intensive grazing as of 1 January 1989 should be excluded. Other areas vhere agricultural production and grazing are extensive should be considered for inclusion in a buffer zone surrounding sites of highest ecological and hydrological value. These sites should be retained on the Ramsar List.
iii) In order to identify such sites, a detailed analysis of the available information on the fauna and flora of the area should be effected. This should pay particular attention to the criteria for listing of sites of international importance under the Ramsar Convention and should result in the identification of specific sites within the Bañados which would be given special conservation attention by the government under its present development plan for the area.
Within this study, special emphasis should also be given to the wide range of hydrological and ecological functions which the wetlands of the Bañados serve, and to the economic importance of these. In addition to the sites designated as being of international importance, other wetlands in the Bañados should only be reclaimed for agriculture when it is clear that the value of drainage to the local people is greater than that of the functions currently provided by the wetlands.
iv) As part of any future investment in agricultural productivity in the area, special attention should be given to ways through which the existing natural functions of the wetland system can contribute more effectively to the local and national economy. Such methods may include rehabilitation of the fur industry dependent upon Coypu, and development of ecological tourism.
v) In addition to identification of sites of highest importance within the Bañados area, special attention should be given to identification of other wetland sites within Uruguay, in particular in the vicinity of the Bañados, which are of similar international importance. One such site is the Laguna de Rocha to which special consideration should be given.
vi) The Ramsar Convention Secretariat should liaise closely with the government of Uruguay and with the InterAmerican Development Bank to ensure that future investments are based upon a detailed study of the natural benefits of the wetland system and of the environmental and socio-economic impact of any economic investment in wetland drainage.
Annex I: Recommendation C.3.9
Annex II: Monitoring Procedure
Annex III: Itinerary of Ramsar Mission, 24-28 October 1988
Monday, 24