Dugong Conservation Reserve in India Hailed as Exemplary Effort to Revive Endangered Species

In the last decade, India has made significant strides in reversing the decline of its dugong population, which had dwindled to a few hundred individuals due to poaching, by-catch, habitat loss, and pollution. The most visible step was the notification of the Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay in 2022, which protects over 12,000 hectares of seagrass meadows.

Tamil Nadu's stewardship, supported by the Wildlife Institute of India and local community participation, has mitigated poaching and encouraged fishers to release dugongs caught as by-catch. Surveys suggest the population in the reserve now numbers over 200, a fragile but encouraging progress from the fear of extinction voiced two decades ago. India has also experimented with innovative technologies, such as drone platforms and acoustic and satellite-based mapping of seagrass beds, to widen conservation options.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has recognized the Palk Bay reserve as an exemplar, lauding its ecological significance and restoration techniques. However, challenges remain, as mechanized fishing, port construction, dredging, and pollution continue to threaten the seagrass meadows. Dugongs also continue to die in fishing nets, and rising sea temperatures, acidification, and storms pose threats to the recovery efforts. Experts have stressed the importance of cross-border collaboration, particularly with Sri Lanka, as dugongs traverse the narrow Palk Strait. Consistent funding and steady investment over decades will be crucial for the long-term success of dugong conservation in India.