Context:
World Dugong Day is observed every year on May 28 to raise awareness about dugongs (Dugong dugon), marine herbivores known as “sea cows”. Dugongs are the only herbivorous marine mammals in India, found in shallow coastal waters rich in seagrass meadows.
Dugong: India’s Sea Grazer
- Appearance: Resemble a cross between a seal and a whale; use front flippers to paddle.
- Diet: Feed exclusively on seagrass species such as Cymodocea, Halophila, Thalassia, and Halodule.
- Feeding Impact: Uproot and cloud waters while grazing; play a vital role in seagrass ecosystem maintenance.
- Range: Found in Indo-Pacific regions, including Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, and Gulf of Kachchh.
- Lifespan & Reproduction:
- Live up to 70 years.
- Mature at 9–10 years, calve every 3–5 years.
- Low population growth rate of ~5% per year.
Conservation Status and Threats
- IUCN Red List: Classified as Vulnerable globally; regionally endangered in India.
- Current Population in India: Estimated at only ~200 individuals.
Major Threats:
- Habitat loss due to:
- Seagrass degradation.
- Coastal development, dredging, port construction.
- Pollution from agriculture, sewage, and industry.
- Fishing hazards:
- Accidental entanglement in gillnets and trawl nets.
- Collisions with boats.
- Climate change:
- Ocean warming and acidification.
- More frequent cyclones and sea-level rise.
- Illegal poaching in remote regions.
- Lack of awareness among communities due to their elusive nature.
Conservation Initiatives in India
- Policy Level:
- India is a signatory to the Convention on Migratory Species (since 1983) and its Dugong MoU (since 2008).
- Major Milestone:
- In 2022, India announced its first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu (448.3 sq. km).
- Contains 122.5 sq. km of intact seagrass — crucial for dugong survival.
- Led by OMCAR Foundation, Wildlife Institute of India, and TN Forest Dept.
