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- The Tamil Nadu government announced on September 3, 2021 that it plans to set up India’s first Dugong Conservation Reservein the Palk Bay on the southeast coast of the state.
- The reserve will spread over an area of 500 km in Palk Bay on the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu.
- Palk Bay is a semi-enclosed shallow water body with a water depth maximum of 13 meters.
- It is located between India and Sri Lanka along the Tamil Nadu coast, the dugong is a flagship species in the region.
What are dugongs?
- The dugong (Dugong dugon), also called the sea cow, is a herbivorous mammal.
- They can grow upto three meters long, weigh about 300 kilograms, and live for about 65 to 70 years, grazing on seagrass and coming to the surface to breathe.
- Dugong or the sea cow is the State animal of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Dugongs are usually about three-meter long and weigh about 400 kg.
- Dugongs have an expanded head and trunk-like upper lip. Elephants are considered to be their closest relatives.
- However, unlike dolphins and other cetaceans, sea cows have two nostrils and no dorsal fin.
- They are found in over 30 countries and in India are seen in the Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Palk Bay, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Dugongs are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
- The loss of seagrass habitats, water pollution and degradation of the coastal ecosystem due to developmental activities have made life tough for these slow-moving animals.
- Dugongs are also victims of accidental entanglement in fishing nets and collision with boats, trawlers.
- Internationally, dugongs are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prohibits the trade of the species and its parts.
Causes of extinction
- Having being declared vulnerable, the marine animal calls for conserving efforts.
- Studies have suggested the reasons for the extinction of the animal such as slow breeding rate, fishing, and the loss of habitat.
- Dugongs are long-living animals, that have a low reproductive rate, long generation time, and high investment in each offspring.
- The female dugongs do not bear their first calf until they are at least 10 and up to 17 years old.
- A dugong population is unlikely to increase more than 5% per year. They take a long time to recover due to the slow breeding rate.
Threats for their Habitats
- Due to natural and human-induced activities, the natural habitat of the animal is on a risk.
- The herbivorous mammal feeds on seagrass, which is at a loss.
- Human activities such as riding of speed-boats causes death of the animal due to boat and propeller strikes.
- Further, habitat loss is also attributed to the increase in conversion of coastal forests to banana, areca nut, and coconut plantations and high boat traffic.
- Natural factors are also responsible for the decline in dugongs population. According to study (Das & Dey 1999), extreme weather events such as cyclones and high energy tidal storms may also contribute to the loss of seagrasses in the region.
- Dugongs are also known to suffer due to accidental entanglement and drowning in gill-nets. Fishing activities around the Indian, Andaman, Nicobar, and Sri Lankan coasts include gill netting and dynamite fishing.
How the conservation reserve will work?
- The conservation reserve can promote growth and save the vulnerable species from the verge of extinction.
- Conservation measures like the proposed conservation area can help revive the sea cow population.
- The proposed reserve area has the highest concentration of dugongs in the country.
- In addition, studies suggest that simultaneous effort towards seagrass meadow restoration, reduction of dugong mortalities, and community participation in dugong conservation can help in helping the dugong population recover.
- It also calls for creating awareness among the people, involving the local communities.
Question:
With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- It is a herbivorous marine animal.
- It is found along the entire coast of India.
- It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1974.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
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