Every year, on the 28th of May, World Dugong Day garners attention in news spheres worldwide. This day is dedicated to the dugong (Dugong dugon), more commonly referenced as the ‘Sea Cow’. As a unique species within the Order Sirenia, it stands out as the only exclusively sea-dwelling herbivorous mammal, even making its home in Indian waters.
Why is the Dugong Important?
The significance of the dugong transcends its uniqueness. It holds a ‘Vulnerable’ status on the IUCN Red List and enjoys protection under Schedule I of India’s Wild (Life) Protection Act, 1972. Despite this, according to a 2013 Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) report, approximately only 200 dugongs were found across the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat. As crucial members of the marine ecosystem, the depletion of dugongs impacts the survivability and dynamics of the entire food chain. Therefore, effective conservation strategies are paramount to preventing dugong extinction.
Threats to Dugong Survival
The survival of dugongs is currently challenged by both environmental and human activities. Remarkably, one of the primary factors driving the decline in dugong populations is the loss of seagrass beds due to ocean floor trawling. This fishing technique involves dragging a fishing net through the water behind one or more boats, causing damage to the seafloor, coral reefs, and numerous marine animals in the process.
Additionally, human-related threats include habitat destruction and modification, pollution, illegal fishing activities, vessel collisions, unsustainable hunting or poaching, and disorganized tourism planning. A common misconception that dugong meat cools human body temperatures further fuels their hunting and consumption.
Conservation Efforts for the Dugong
In light of these challenges, significant steps towards dugong conservation have been initiated. In February 2020, India hosted the 13th Conference of Parties (CoP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), an environmental treaty under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) umbrella. As a signatory since 1983, India has demonstrated commitment to wildlife preservation by signing non-legally binding Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with CMS. These pertain to the conservation and management of several species, including Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008), and Raptors (2016).
To facilitate dugong conservation, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change instituted a ‘Task Force for Conservation of Dugongs’, dedicated to addressing conservation issues and implementing the ‘UNEP/CMS Dugong MoU’ in India. This initiative also positions India as a leading nation in Southern Asia for dugong conservation.
The survival of dugongs is intricately tied to the health of our marine ecosystems, making their conservation crucial. On World Dugong Day, and every other day, it’s essential to recognize the importance of these unique marine animals and the efforts needed to ensure their continued existence.
