A recent IUCN report presented at the Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi warns that dugongs in India are facing a serious risk of extinction.
Dugongs: India’s Sea Cows
- Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are large, calm marine mammals often associated with mermaid folklore.
- Measuring up to 10 feet and weighing nearly 420 kg, they are closely related to manatees.
- Being exclusively herbivorous, they consume 30–40 kg of seagrass daily, inhabiting shallow and sheltered coastal waters like lagoons, estuaries, and bays.
Ecological Significance
- Dugongs are crucial for maintaining vibrant seagrass ecosystems—one of the world’s most effective carbon sinks.
- Their grazing prevents overgrowth, recycles nutrients, and enhances carbon storage. Healthy seagrass beds boost marine biodiversity and support commercially valuable fish, shellfish, and invertebrates.
- Areas with dugong presence generate up to ₹2 crore more fish annually, highlighting their role as ecosystem engineers.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I (highest protection)
Current Population Estimates
- Gulf of Mannar–Palk Bay: 150–200
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Fewer than 50
- Gulf of Kutch: Below 20
Total numbers likely range between 250–450, showing severe fragmentation and vulnerability.
Major Threats
- Fishing-net entanglement is the leading cause of mortality.
- Pollution, industrial discharge, and agricultural runoff degrade seagrass meadows.
- Boat collisions and coastal development disturb habitats.
- Toxic metals like mercury, arsenic, and lead have been found in stranded dugongs, signifying contaminated ecosystems.
- Slow reproduction, with births occurring only every few years, further increases extinction risk.
Government Initiatives
- India has launched a Dugong Recovery Programme and created the 448 sq km Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay (2022) to protect seagrass habitats.
- A national task force also coordinates conservation efforts across key states.
- Experts suggest focusing more on community participation, long-term monitoring, and reducing fisheries-related threats.
Conclusion
Dugongs are vital for the health of coastal ecosystems, yet their survival hangs by a thread. Sustained, collaborative, and community-driven conservation is essential to prevent their silent extinction from Indian waters.
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