Prelims Perspective: What needs to be learned?

  • Habitat and Protection Status 
  • Conservation Efforts

What needs to be known?

  • Dugong (Sea Cow)
    • Distribution and Habitat in India: Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, Palk Bay, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
    • Protection 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)
    • 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

Source: The Hindu