May 28: World Dugong Day
Dugong
Dugongs are large, slow-moving marine mammals that look like a mix of a whale and a seal.
They live in shallow waters and feed mainly on seagrass, earning them the nickname “sea cows.”
As they eat, they stir up the seafloor, shaping the underwater ecosystem, which is why they are called “farmers of the sea.”
Dugongs are herbivores and the only such marine mammals in India.
Their teeth wear down fast, so they regrow new teeth many times in life.
Dugongs prefer marine (saltwater) environments unlike their relatives, the manatees.
In India, they are found in:
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Gulf of Mannar
Palk Bay
Gulf of Kutch
They live long lives (up to 70 years) but are usually solitary or seen in small groups.
Dugongs take 9–10 years to reach reproductive age.
They give birth only once every 3–5 years.
This slow reproduction means population growth is very limited — about 5% per year maximum.
Threatened waters
Dugongs are listed as “Vulnerable” globally, and “Endangered” in India.
Only about 200 dugongs are estimated to remain in Indian waters.
Threats include:
Pollution (from sewage, farming, and industry)
Habitat loss due to construction, ports, and dredging
Fishing nets — dugongs get entangled and drown
Boat traffic — leading to injury or death
Illegal hunting, especially in remote areas
Climate change is worsening their situation by damaging seagrass and increasing storms.
Way to the future
Dugongs are shy and avoid humans, so many people don’t even know they exist.
India has signed international agreements to protect them.
In 2022, India created the first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu.
The area has rich seagrass beds and is a key dugong habitat.
NGOs and government departments are working together to monitor and protect dugongs.
Helping dugong conservation
Protecting and restoring seagrass is crucial for dugong survival.
Steps needed:
Map and monitor seagrass meadows
Ban harmful fishing gear (like gillnets, trawling) in dugong areas
Promote sustainable fishing and offer eco-tourism jobs to locals
Involve fisherfolk and local communities in conservation
Raise awareness in villages and train people to report sightings
Support research using technology like drones and tags
Use citizen science and traditional knowledge for better insights
Why Seagrass Matters
Seagrass is an underwater flowering plant, not seaweed.
It:
Stabilizes the seafloor
Absorbs carbon
Supports fisheries and marine life
India has about 516 sq. km of seagrass, mostly in: Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay
These areas support the highest seagrass diversity in the Indian Ocean.
Other areas like Kachchh, Lakshadweep, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha have seagrass but are less suitable for dugongs due to damage or patchy growth.
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