Sea Cow | UPSC CSE

Why in News: A new report released at the IUCN Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi has highlighted the critical threats to India’s dugong (sea cow) population, warning that their long-term survival is highly uncertain in several Indian regions.

What are Dugongs?

• Scientific name: Dugong dugon
• Commonly known as sea cows due to their herbivorous diet of seagrass.
• Marine mammals related to manatees, with:
  • a gentle disposition (source of ancient mermaid myths)
  • a distinctive dolphin-like tail fluke
• Size: up to 10 feet long and around 420 kg in weight.
• They are exclusive seagrass feeders, making them crucial for the health of seagrass ecosystems.

Distribution in India

Dugongs are primarily found in:

• Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat)
• Gulf of Mannar–Palk Bay region (Tamil Nadu–Sri Lanka)
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Report Findings:

• Long-term survival is:
  • “Highly uncertain” in the Gulf of Kutch
  • “Challenging” in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands
• Population in Gulf of Mannar–Palk Bay is “much lower” than in the recent past.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (facing a high risk of extinction in the wild).
• India: Listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, giving them the highest legal protection.

Ecological Significance

• Dugongs are keystone species essential for:
  • maintaining seagrass meadows
  • enhancing marine biodiversity
  • improving coastal carbon sequestration (blue carbon)
  • stabilising sediments in shallow waters
• Healthy seagrass beds also support fish nurseries, crustaceans, and nutrient cycling.

Threats to Dugongs in India

• Loss and degradation of seagrass habitats due to coastal development, pollution, and sedimentation.
• Entanglement in fishing nets, particularly gillnets.
• Boat strikes in shallow coastal waters.
• Poaching for meat, oil, and body parts (despite legal protection).
• Climate change impacts on seagrass and coastal habitats.
• Small isolated populations, increasing risk of local extinction.

Government Conservation Efforts

1. National Dugong Task Force (2010)

• Set up by MoEFCC to examine conservation issues and propose actionable plans.

2. National Dugong Recovery Programme

• Implemented jointly with:
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Gujarat
  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Aims to restore seabeds, reduce threats, and improve monitoring.

3. Dugong Conservation Reserve, Tamil Nadu (2022)

• India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve, located in Palk Bay.
• Covers 448 sq km.
• Focuses on:
  • protecting seagrass meadows
  • reducing fishing threats
  • improving coastal ecosystem management
  • involving local communities in conservation

Source: Indian Express

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