Why in news?

• A recent IUCN report released at the Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi warns that India’s dugongs (sea cows) face a growing risk of extinction.
• Found mainly in the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar–Palk Bay, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, their survival outlook is grim: long-term survival in the Gulf of Kutch is “highly uncertain,” conditions in the Andamans are “challenging,” and populations in the Gulf of Mannar–Palk Bay have significantly declined.
• Dugongs are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and enjoy the highest protection in India under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which bans hunting and trade.
• These gentle marine herbivores play a crucial ecological role by maintaining healthy seagrass meadows, which support biodiversity and store carbon.
• However, dugongs face numerous threats, including coastal habitat degradation, seagrass loss, fishing-net entanglement, boat collisions, pollution, and human disturbances.
• The Indian government has initiated conservation. Despite this, the new report indicates that urgent and strengthened action is needed to prevent their decline from becoming irreversible.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Dugongs: The Gentle ‘Sea Cows’ of the Coast
• Why Dugongs Matter: Guardians of Seagrass and Coastal Productivity
• Declining Dugong Numbers
• Government Efforts to Protect Dugongs — and What More Is Needed

Dugongs: The Gentle ‘Sea Cows’ of the Coast

• Dugongs are large, gentle marine mammals often linked to mermaid legends due to their calm, graceful behaviour.
• Closely related to manatees, they have a rounded body and a dolphin-like tail. Adults can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh around 420 kg.
• Exclusively herbivorous, dugongs feed mainly on seagrass meadows, consuming 30–40 kg daily — earning them the name sea cows.
• They inhabit shallow, warm coastal waters, typically in sheltered bays, lagoons, and estuaries less than 10 metres deep.

Why Dugongs Matter: Guardians of Seagrass and Coastal Productivity

• Dugongs are vital to the health of seagrass ecosystems, which are among the planet’s most efficient carbon sinks.
• Their grazing naturally prunes seagrass, removes old shoots, prevents overgrowth, and enhances carbon storage in the sediment.
• By stirring up the seagrass beds while feeding, dugongs also release nutrients trapped in the sediment.
• These nutrients support a wide range of marine life, including commercially valuable fish, shellfish, sea cucumbers, and other invertebrates.
• Research shows that seagrass habitats with dugongs generate at least ₹2 crore more fish production annually, while areas lacking dugongs show significantly reduced productivity.
• In essence, dugongs are ecosystem engineers that boost biodiversity, sustain fisheries, and support coastal carbon cycles.

Declining Dugong Numbers

• Once common in Indian waters, dugongs have declined drastically. A 2012 government report estimated around 200 individuals.
• Current estimates vary: some experts suggest 400–450, while others believe the number is below 250.
• Their elusive nature and murky habitats make accurate counts difficult.
• Where Dugongs Survive in India?
  • Palk Bay–Gulf of Mannar (Tamil Nadu): Largest and most stable group, 150–200 dugongs
  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Fewer than 50 individuals
  • Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat): Fewer than 20 individuals
  • These populations are small, fragmented, and highly vulnerable.
• Human Activities Driving the Decline
  • The main threats come from coastal degradation and human activities:
    • Fishing-net entanglement is the most common cause of death.
    • High turbidity, pollution, and bycatch threaten dugongs in the Gulf of Kutch and Tamil Nadu.
    • Andamans face high fisheries-related mortality.
  • Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and untreated wastewater also pollute seagrass meadows — dugongs’ primary feeding grounds.
• Toxic Pollution Found in Dugong Tissues
  • A recent study analysing 46 stranded dugongs found dangerous levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, and lead in organs such as liver, kidneys, and muscles.
  • These metals accumulate in seagrass sediments, indicating severe ecosystem contamination.
• Slow Reproduction Increases Extinction Risk
  • Dugongs reproduce very slowly — females give birth once every several years.
  • This low reproductive rate hampers population recovery and makes the species extremely vulnerable to ongoing threats.

Government Efforts to Protect Dugongs — and What More Is Needed

• India has taken several steps to conserve dugongs. In 2010, the Centre set up a Task Force for Dugong Conservation, followed by a national dugong recovery programme in collaboration with Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• A major milestone was the creation of the 448 sq km Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay (2022) to safeguard seagrass meadows and dependent dugong populations.
• However, experts say conservation efforts need strengthening. Researchers call for better monitoring, reduced fishing pressure, and incentive-based programmes for coastal communities.
• While progress has been made, dugong populations will recover only with sustained, strengthened, and community-inclusive conservation actions.