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.
