Why in the news?

• A new report of IUCN has highlighted the growing threats faced by the dugong population in India.

Dugong

• What is it?: Dugong (Dugong dugon) also called ‘Sea Cow’ is one of the four surviving species in the Order Sirenia and it is the only existing species of herbivorous mammal that lives exclusively in the sea including in India.
• Distribution and Habitat: 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.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable
  • Wild (Life) Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • CITES: Appendix I
• Threats:
  • Habitat degradation (especially of seagrass beds)
  • Boat strikes
  • Entanglement in fishing nets
  • Pollution (oil spills, plastics)
  • Climate change and rising sea levels
  • Illegal hunting (though now rare in India)
• Conservation Efforts:
  • India’s Effort:
    • Dugong Conservation Reserve: India’s first in Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu (2022)
    • Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
    • Recovery Programme for Dugongs under National Biodiversity Action Plan
    • Community participation through awareness and eco-development programs
  • International Efforts: Part of UNEP’s Dugong Conservation Programme