India’s Sea Cows Are Under Threat

Context:

A new report recently released by IUCN at the IUCN Conservation Congress revealed that the long-term survival of India’s dugong populations - especially in the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar–Palk Bay, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands - is now “highly uncertain.”

About Dugongs:

Dugongs are large, herbivorous marine mammals commonly known as "sea cows" that live in coastal waters and feed on seagrass. They are related to manatees, but unlike manatees, they are strictly marine animals with a dolphin-like tail.

Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Why Are India’s Dugongs Under Threat?

Threat	Causes/Details	Impact on Dugongs
Seagrass Habitat Loss	Dredging, coastal construction, port expansion, aquaculture, pollution, sedimentation	Loss of primary food source → threatens survival
Fishing Bycatch	Dugongs entangled in gillnets; overlap with high-intensity fishing zones	Major cause of deaths; hotspots: Tamil Nadu, Andaman & Nicobar, Gulf of Kutch
Pollution & Toxic Metals	Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, untreated sewage, marine litter	Accumulation in seagrass → affects organs like liver & kidneys
Slow Reproductive Rate	Females reproduce once every few years; long gestation; high calf mortality	Small additional losses can severely impact population viability
Climate Change	Rising sea levels, ocean warming, seagrass bleaching, increased storms	Exacerbates habitat degradation and other anthropogenic threats

Ecological Significance:

Dugongs are ecosystem engineers. Their grazing:

1. Maintains Seagrass Meadows

- - Pruning promotes new growth
  - Prevents overgrowth and decay
  - Enhances carbon sequestration—critical for climate mitigation

2. Supports Marine Food Chains

By stirring sediments and releasing nutrients, dugongs help sustain populations of:

- - Commercial fish
  - Shellfish
  - Sea cucumbers
  - Other invertebrates

3. Economic Value: Research indicates that dugong-supported seagrass ecosystems contribute ₹2 crore per year in additional fish production.

Conservation Measures by the Government:

Year / Initiative	Description / Actions	Objective
2010: Dugong Task Force	Set up by MoEFCC to coordinate efforts	Strengthen conservation planning and coordination
National Dugong Recovery Programme	Partnership with Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andaman & Nicobar Administration	Habitat protection, research, community awareness
2022: Dugong Conservation Reserve (Palk Bay, TN)	Area: 448 sq. km; protects seagrass meadows	Provides safe habitat; India’s first dedicated dugong reserve
Legal Protections	Schedule I species under the Wildlife Protection Act; penalties for hunting/trade; fishing restrictions in protected areas	Prevent hunting, reduce bycatch, safeguard dugongs

Conclusion:

Dugongs are an irreplaceable part of India’s marine heritage and coastal ecology. Their survival hinges on the health of seagrass ecosystems—one of the world’s most efficient natural carbon sinks. The increasing threat from human activities, pollution, and habitat degradation demands urgent and coordinated action. Conserving dugongs is not just about protecting a species—it is about safeguarding coastal livelihoods, marine biodiversity, and India’s climate resilience.