Dugong Conservation in India: Lessons from the Palk Bay Reserve
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Species in news - Dugong, their habitat - Seagrass meadows, conservation status; Protected Areas - Conservation Reserves; Key Institutions - International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Wildlife Institute of India (WII)).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 3 (Environment & Biodiversity): Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment; Biodiversity and its conservation. This is a perfect case study for marine conservation, community participation in conservation, and habitat protection.
Key Highlights from the News
India's efforts to protect the endangered marine animal known as Dugong (sea cow) are starting to show results. 🌊
The Dugong Conservation Reserve established in 2022 in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu, has been recognized internationally as a successful model.
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) declared this conservation reserve an exemplar (excellent model).
Key factors behind the success of this model:
Focusing on protecting seagrass meadows, the main food source for dugongs.
Community engagement with fishers in conservation activities.
Using modern technologies (drones, satellite mapping).
Remaining challenges:
Mortality due to accidental entanglement in fishing nets (by-catch).
Threats due to climate change.
Lack of cross-border collaboration with Sri Lanka.
Insufficient conservation activities in Gujarat and Andaman.
This experience provides valuable lessons for the conservation of other marine species.
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