Source: TH
Context: World Dugong Day was observed to raise awareness about the conservation needs of dugongs, with India reaffirming its focus on habitat protection in areas like Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar.
About Dugongs:
- What it is: Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are large, herbivorous marine mammals often called “sea cows.” They are the only extant species of the Dugongidae family and closely related to manatees.
- Habitat in India:
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- Warm shallow coastal waters
- Found in: Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
- IUCN Status:
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- Global: Vulnerable
- India: Regionally Endangered
- Schedule I species under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (highest legal protection)
- Features of Dugongs:
- Physical Characteristics:
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- Body shape: Dugongs have a torpedo-shaped body with flipper-like forelimbs and no dorsal fin for streamlined swimming.
- Size: They can grow up to 3 meters long and weigh around 300 kg.
- Lifespan: Dugongs can live up to 70 years in the wild.
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- Biological Traits:
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- Diet: Dugongs are herbivores that feed mainly on seagrass, consuming 20–30 kg daily.
- Teeth: Their teeth regenerate throughout life due to constant wear from abrasive seagrass.
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- Reproductive Traits:
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- Maturity: They reach reproductive maturity at around 9–10 years of age.
- Birth cycle: Dugongs give birth once every 3–5 years, making reproduction slow.
- Population growth: Their population increases at a maximum rate of about 5% per year.
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- Social Behaviour:
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- Grouping: Dugongs are usually solitary or seen in mother-calf pairs.
- Habitat preference: Unlike manatees, dugongs live strictly in marine environments and avoid human interaction.
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- Ecological Importance:
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- Known as “gardeners of the sea” for maintaining healthy seagrass beds.
- Promote biodiversity by nurturing fish nurseries.
- Play a vital role in carbon sequestration and coastal ecosystem stability.
