IUCN Recognizes India’s First Dugong Conservation Reserve

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has formally adopted a motion recognising India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu. The resolution, proposed by the Omcar Foundation and adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, received overwhelming global support — with 98% of governments and 94.8% of NGOs, research institutions, and organisations voting in favour.

Innovative Restoration Efforts Praised

The reserve was highlighted for its pioneering seagrass restoration techniques, including the use of bamboo and coconut rope frames to rehabilitate degraded meadows. IUCN members commended the initiative for blending scientific research with community participation, setting a model for marine conservation in South Asia.

Background: Establishment in 2022

The Dugong Conservation Reserve, covering 448.34 sq. km. in northern Palk Bay, was established on September 21, 2022, by the Tamil Nadu government under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The area protects over 12,250 hectares of seagrass meadows, which are vital feeding grounds for dugongs and other marine life.

Dugongs: The Gentle Sea Cows

Dugongs (Dugong dugon), listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, are the only herbivorous marine mammals in India. Found across the Indo-Pacific region, they graze exclusively on seagrasses. Often called “sea cows”, dugongs resemble a cross between a seal and a whale, with a dolphin-like tail. Unlike their freshwater cousins, manatees, dugongs are strictly marine.

Threats and Conservation Significance

Dugongs face major threats from seagrass habitat loss caused by coastal development, industrial activities, and pollution. Habitat degradation also impacts their breeding. Protecting seagrass ecosystems, therefore, is crucial for their survival and for maintaining marine biodiversity.

World Dugong Day

Every year, May 28 is observed as World Dugong Day to raise awareness about the species and the need for its conservation.

(Source: TH)