India’s Sea Cows Under Threat: How Human Activities and Pollution Are Destroying Dugong Habitats

Context

A new IUCN report presented at the IUCN Conservation Congress (Abu Dhabi, 2025) has highlighted serious threats to dugongs (sea cows) in India. Their long-term survival in the Gulf of Kutch and Andaman & Nicobar Islands is considered “uncertain”, and populations have fallen sharply in the Gulf of Mannar-Palk Bay region. India’s dugong numbers remain very low and vulnerable due to fishing pressure, pollution and habitat loss.

What are Dugongs?

1. Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are marine mammals, herbivorous, and closely related to manatees (another marine mammal).
2. They grow up to 10 feet and weigh around 420 kg.
3. They feed almost entirely on seagrass, needing 30-40 kg per day.
4. Found mainly in:
   1. Gulf of Kutch
   2. Gulf of Mannar-Palk Bay
   3. Andaman & Nicobar Islands
5. Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

What is the IUCN Red List?

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of animals and plants.

Key Categories

Dugongs being Vulnerable means they are already in danger and could move to Endangered if threats continue.

What is the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972?

India’s main law for protecting wild animals, birds, plants, and their habitats. It regulates hunting, poaching, trade, and conservation.

Schedules of the Act:

Dugongs are in Schedule I, giving them the highest legal protection in India.

Why are Dugongs Significant?

Dugongs are vital for healthy seagrass ecosystems, which are powerful carbon sinks and important fishing grounds.

Key ecological roles:

1. Grazing keeps seagrass meadows healthy by pruning old shoots and allowing new growth.
2. They help increase carbon storage in sediments, aiding climate regulation.
3. Their feeding releases nutrients, supporting fish, shellfish, sea cucumbers and other marine life.
4. Seagrass areas with dugongs produce ₹2 crore worth of additional fish every year.
5. Loss of dugongs directly weakens coastal biodiversity and fisheries.

Why Is the Dugong Population Under Threat?

1. Population Numbers:
   1. Current estimates suggest that India has around 250 to 450 dugongs, although exact numbers are difficult to assess because they live in murky coastal waters.
   2. The Palk Bay-Gulf of Mannar region along Tamil Nadu’s coast has the largest and most stable dugong population, with approximately 150 to 200 individuals.
   3. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to a much smaller and fragmented population, estimated to be less than 50 individuals.
   4. In the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, the situation is even more critical, with fewer than 20 dugongs reported in recent years.
2. Major Threats:
   1. Fisheries Bycatch: Most dugongs die because they get accidentally trapped in fishing nets, preventing them from surfacing to breathe and leading to drowning.
   2. Coastal Pollution & Toxic Metals: Recent studies found toxic metals like arsenic, mercury and lead in dugong tissues, showing that pollution from industries, agriculture and untreated sewage is contaminating the seagrass beds they depend on for food.
   3. Habitat Loss and Degradation: Seagrass meadows are being destroyed by activities such as dredging, coastal development, boat movement and high sedimentation, which reduces the amount of light that seagrass needs to grow.
   4. Very Slow Reproduction: Female dugongs give birth only once every several years, meaning the population grows extremely slowly and cannot recover quickly from losses.
   5. Small, Fragmented Groups: Since many dugongs live in isolated and tiny groups, it becomes difficult for them to find mates, increasing the risk of extinction.

How the Government Is Trying to Conserve Dugongs?

1. Creation of the Dugong Task Force (2010): By the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to study dugong populations, understand the threats they face, and recommend specific conservation measures.
2. Launch of the National Dugong Recovery Programme: By the Central government in collaboration with the governments of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands to protect dugong habitats, restore seagrass meadows and reduce threats from fishing and pollution.
3. Establishment of the Dugong Conservation Reserve (2022): By the Tamil Nadu Government in Palk Bay, covering 448 square kilometres, to provide a safe habitat for dugongs and protect the seagrass beds that they depend on for food.
4. Strong Legal Protection Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Dugongs placed under Schedule I which gives them the highest level of legal protection and prohibits hunting, capture or trade of the species.
5. Research and Scientific Monitoring: Central and state agencies, along with research institutions such as WWF-India and the Wildlife Institute of India, are regularly monitoring dugong populations, studying pollution levels in their tissues and mapping seagrass habitats to improve conservation planning.
6. Reduction of Fishing-Related Threats (Partial Progress): Authorities have attempted to reduce bycatch through awareness campaigns for fishers, restrictions on harmful fishing gear and regulations in sensitive habitats, although these measures still need stronger enforcement.
7. Habitat Protection Efforts: Government projects now focus on identifying and restoring degraded seagrass meadows, reducing sedimentation and improving coastal water quality to create a healthier environment for dugongs.
8. Need for Stronger Enforcement and Community Participation: Experts point out that although several steps have been taken, enforcement in dugong habitats remains weak. Involving local fishing communities, offering incentives for sustainable practices and adopting alternative fishing gear remain essential for long-term success.

Challenges & Way Forward

Conclusion

Dugongs play an essential role in protecting seagrass ecosystems, fisheries and coastal biodiversity. Their populations in India are now critically low due to fishing bycatch, pollution and habitat loss. Stronger enforcement, community participation, habitat restoration and reduction of harmful fishing practices are essential to secure the future of India’s sea cows.