Recognition of India’s First Dugong Conservation Reserve
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially recognized India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, signifying a significant global endorsement of India's marine conservation initiatives.
Background and Establishment
- The motion was proposed by the Omcar Foundation and adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
- It received overwhelming support:
- 98% of governments voted in favor.
- 94.8% of NGOs, research institutions, and organizations supported the resolution.
- The reserve was established on September 21, 2022, by the Tamil Nadu government under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, covering 448.34 sq. km. in northern Palk Bay.
Ecological Significance
- The region is home to over 12,250 hectares of seagrass meadows, crucial for feeding dugongs (Dugong dugon), a species listed as Vulnerable to Extinction on the IUCN Red List.
- Seagrasses also support various marine species, enhancing the ecological importance of the reserve.
Conservation Challenges and Strategies
- The motion highlighted concerns over habitat degradation, harmful fishing practices, and climate change impacts threatening dugong populations and Palk Bay’s ecosystems.
- It emphasized the necessity for urgent, community-led conservation strategies to ensure sustainable marine resource use.
- IUCN acknowledged innovative restoration techniques in the reserve, such as using bamboo and coconut rope frames to rehabilitate seagrass meadows.
International Collaboration and Model Replication
- The initiative was commended for integrating scientific methods with community participation, setting a precedent for conservation efforts in South Asia.
- The resolution called on IUCN members to:
- Collaborate with the Indian and Tamil Nadu governments and local organizations to enhance monitoring and build capacity for sustainable fisheries.
- Share knowledge with international dugong conservation programs.
- It encouraged replicating the Indian model in other parts of the Indian Ocean and globally, where dugong populations are at risk.
