World Dugong Day 2020

World Dugong Day 2020

Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III – Environment; Biodiversity

In News:

• ‘World Dugong Day’ was recently celebrated on May 28, 2020. 
• The special emphasis was laid down on its fight for survival in Indian waters. 
• Experts have also expressed fear that unless conserved, it could one day become extinct. 

Important value additions 

Dugong 

• It is commonly known as the sea cow. 
• It is an endangered marine species like sea turtles, seahorses, sea cucumbers and others. 
• They are protected in India under Schedule I of the Wild (Life) Protection Act, 1972.
• In India, it is found in the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 
• It is an important part of the marine ecosystem. 
• Its depletion will have effects all the way up the food chain. 
• It grazes on seagrass, especially young shoots and roots in shallow coastal waters.
• Main threats to dugongs are human activities such as: 
  • the destruction and modification of habitat, 
  • pollution, 
  • rampant illegal fishing activities,
  • vessel strikes, 
  • unsustainable hunting or poaching 
  • unplanned tourism 
  • loss of seagrass beds due to ocean floor trawling 
• The Government of India is also a signatory to the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) since 1983 where it has signed non-legally binding Memorandums of Understanding on the conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008) and Raptors (2016). 
• Proper conservation is the only way to save dugongs from extinction. 

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