Dugong population thriving in Tamil Nadu, with 270 dugongs supported along the coast

Chennai: In a major boost for marine wildlife conservation in India, a comprehensive population estimation of dugongs conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has recorded a total of 270 dugongs along the Tamil Nadu coast, confirming that the species is stable and showing encouraging signs of recovery.

The survey estimates 158 dugongs in Palk Bay and 112 in the Gulf of Mannar, together forming the largest viable dugong population in India. The findings mark a significant milestone for the conservation of the endangered marine mammal, often referred to as the “sea cow”.

According to the report, the positive trend is largely the result of the Dugong Recovery Programme implemented by WII with support from CAMPA, alongside the proactive and sustained conservation efforts of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.

Key strategies include intensive monitoring, habitat protection and strong community engagement with coastal fishing communities to reduce threats to dugongs and their seagrass habitats.

Importantly, the survey has confirmed the presence of mother–calf pairs, providing clear evidence of active breeding and long-term population viability in Tamil Nadu waters.

The report also highlights the notification of the Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay by the Government of Tamil Nadu as a major conservation milestone. Spanning 448 square kilometres of core dugong habitat, the reserve offers long-term legal protection to one of the most critical dugong landscapes in the country.

Further strengthening India’s commitment to dugong conservation, Tamil Nadu is setting up the country’s first Dugong Conservation Centre at Manora in Thanjavur district, at an estimated cost of ₹40.94 crore, with support from the World Bank Group.

The centre is envisioned as a state-of-the-art hub for dugong research, public awareness, capacity building and community participation, playing a pivotal role in the species’ recovery.

Dugongs are globally vulnerable and face severe threats from habitat loss, accidental entanglement in fishing gear and coastal development. The success in Tamil Nadu demonstrates how science-based interventions, strong governance and community-led conservation can reverse the decline of even the most threatened marine species.

Conservationists say the findings offer renewed hope for dugong recovery in India and position Tamil Nadu as a national leader in marine biodiversity conservation.