New Delhi: In a historic milestone for marine conservation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially recognized India’s inaugural Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay during the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi. This prestigious endorsement celebrates Tamil Nadu’s pioneering efforts to protect the vulnerable dugong (Dugong dugon), fondly known as the sea cow, and positions India as a global leader in marine biodiversity preservation. The resolution highlights a scalable model for safeguarding dugongs and their habitats across the Indian Ocean and similar ecosystems worldwide.
IUCN Motion: A Unified Global Endorsement
Proposed by the Omcar Foundation, the motion garnered overwhelming support through electronic voting at the Congress. An impressive 98% of governments and state agencies, alongside 94.8% of NGOs, research institutions, and other organizations, voted in favor. This near-unanimous backing underscores the international community’s appreciation for India’s innovative conservation framework. The resolution not only honors the Palk Bay reserve but also calls for its replication in other regions where dugongs face existential threats, emphasizing the integration of community-led and scientifically robust strategies.
The IUCN advocates for collaboration with the Indian government, Tamil Nadu authorities, and local organizations to strengthen monitoring, promote sustainable fisheries, and share expertise with global dugong conservation programs. The motion addresses critical challenges, including habitat degradation, destructive fishing practices, and climate change impacts, which threaten dugong populations and the ecological balance of coastal ecosystems.
The Dugong Conservation Reserve: A Haven for Marine Ecosystems
Launched on September 21, 2022, under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, by the Tamil Nadu government, the Dugong Conservation Reserve spans 448.34 square kilometers in northern Palk Bay, encompassing coastal waters of Thanjavur and Pudukkottai districts. The region is home to over 12,250 hectares of seagrass meadows, which serve as critical feeding grounds for dugongs and nurture a diverse array of marine species. These seagrass beds also play a vital role in carbon sequestration, contributing to climate change mitigation and enhancing the reserve’s ecological significance.
As India’s first dedicated dugong sanctuary, the reserve strengthens Palk Bay’s status as the nation’s primary stronghold for the species. Its establishment reflects Tamil Nadu’s commitment to preserving marine biodiversity and fostering sustainable coastal ecosystems.
Pioneering Restoration and Community Synergy
The IUCN Congress praised the reserve’s innovative restoration techniques, notably the use of bamboo and coconut rope frames to rehabilitate degraded seagrass meadows. This approach combines cutting-edge science with active community participation, creating a sustainable model for habitat restoration. By engaging local fishers and residents, the initiative builds trust and ensures long-term conservation success.
The resolution highlighted pressing threats to dugongs, including habitat loss, unsustainable fishing practices, and climate change. It urged the adoption of community-driven strategies to promote sustainable marine resource use. The IUCN called for its members to partner with India’s central and state governments, as well as local organizations, to enhance monitoring systems, develop eco-friendly fisheries, and facilitate knowledge exchange with international conservation programs.
Tamil Nadu’s Conservation Successes
Tamil Nadu’s on-the-ground efforts have delivered measurable outcomes. Between the 2021-22 financial year and September 2025, 16 dugongs were rescued and released in the Thanjavur and Pudukkottai forest divisions, showcasing effective intervention mechanisms. To foster cooperation with fishing communities, the state introduced a compensation and reward system. A total of 1.16 lakh rupees was disbursed for fishing net damages caused by dugong entanglements, with an additional 1.59 lakh rupees awarded for prompt reporting of such incidents. In total, 2.75 lakh rupees have been distributed to 62 fishers, with Thanjavur accounting for 51 beneficiaries.
This incentive system has transformed community dynamics. “The compensation and reward mechanism has created trust among fishers, who now report entanglements promptly, enabling safe dugong releases,” said Balaji Vedharajan, director of the Omcar Foundation. Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu’s Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Department, described the IUCN recognition as a validation of the state’s leadership in marine conservation across South Asia. Yash Veer Bhatnagar, IUCN’s India representative, noted early signs of species recovery, crediting these comprehensive efforts.
On September 25, 2025, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin took to X to celebrate the IUCN recognition, commending the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Omcar Foundation, and all stakeholders for their dedication. His public acknowledgment highlights the state’s unified commitment to marine protection.
The Dugong: A Gentle Giant Under Threat
The dugong, scientifically classified as Dugong dugon within the Dugongidae family, is the world’s only strictly marine herbivorous mammal. Growing to over 300 kilograms and measuring 3.0 to 3.5 meters in length, dugongs inhabit calm, nutrient-rich shallow waters within 10 meters of depth, typically in groups of 5 to 7 among seagrass beds. Each dugong consumes 30 to 40 kilograms of seagrass daily, underscoring their reliance on healthy meadows.
Globally, dugongs inhabit tropical and subtropical waters across 37 countries, from East Africa to Vanuatu. In India, they are found in Palk Bay (with the highest population), the Gulf of Mannar, the Gulf of Kutch, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Populations off the coasts of Odisha, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh went extinct two centuries ago. Current estimates suggest a national population of approximately 200 to 250 dugongs, with Palk Bay as the primary refuge.
Dugongs face severe threats, including habitat degradation, hunting, unintentional captures in fishing gear, destructive fishing practices, and climate change. Their conservation status is critical: listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, included in Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, and protected under Appendix I of CITES.
A Global Blueprint for Marine Conservation
The IUCN’s recognition establishes the Palk Bay reserve as a global model for marine biodiversity conservation. Often called “farmers of the sea,” dugongs maintain seagrass ecosystems, which support fisheries and coastal resilience. The resolution’s call for international partnerships and replication of India’s approach offers hope for at-risk dugong populations worldwide.
The Congress emphasized the need for stronger community-led strategies, sustainable fisheries, and cross-border collaboration. By integrating local knowledge with scientific innovation, India’s model addresses both ecological and socio-economic challenges, providing a framework for regions facing similar threats.
Future Horizons: Building on Success
The IUCN’s endorsement marks both a celebration of achievements and a call to action. Enhanced monitoring, sustainable practices, and international cooperation will be pivotal to ensuring the dugong’s survival. As Tamil Nadu leads the way, the reserve’s success inspires hope for marine conservation globally, reinforcing India’s role as a steward of oceanic biodiversity.
FAQs
1. What is the Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, and why is it significant?
The Dugong Conservation Reserve, established on September 21, 2022, by the Tamil Nadu government under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, is India’s first sanctuary dedicated to protecting the dugong (Dugong dugon), a vulnerable marine herbivorous mammal. Spanning 448.34 square kilometers in northern Palk Bay across Thanjavur and Pudukkottai districts, it encompasses over 12,250 hectares of seagrass meadows, critical feeding grounds for dugongs. Its significance lies in preserving biodiversity, supporting carbon sequestration through seagrass, and serving as a global model for marine conservation, as recognized by the IUCN at the 2025 World Conservation Congress.
2. Why did the IUCN recognize the Palk Bay Dugong Conservation Reserve?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) adopted a motion at its 2025 World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, proposed by the Omcar Foundation, to recognize the reserve for its innovative conservation strategies. These include bamboo and coconut rope frames for seagrass restoration and community-driven initiatives. With 98% government and 94.8% NGO support, the IUCN praised the reserve as a replicable model for protecting dugong habitats globally, addressing threats like habitat degradation, unsustainable fishing, and climate change.
3. What are the main threats to dugongs in Palk Bay, and how does the reserve address them?
Dugongs face habitat degradation, hunting, accidental captures in fishing gear, destructive fishing practices, and climate change impacts. The Palk Bay reserve counters these through seagrass restoration, community engagement, and sustainable fisheries promotion. Between 2021-22 and September 2025, 16 dugongs were rescued and released, and 2.75 lakh rupees were disbursed to 62 fishers for net damages and timely reporting, fostering cooperation. These efforts aim to mitigate threats and ensure sustainable marine resource use.
4. How does the reserve involve local communities in conservation efforts?
The reserve integrates local fishers through a compensation and reward system, disbursing 1.16 lakh rupees for net damages and 1.59 lakh rupees for reporting dugong entanglements, totaling 2.75 lakh rupees to 62 fishers, with 51 in Thanjavur. This has built trust, encouraging fishers to report incidents for safe dugong releases. Community participation in seagrass restoration using bamboo and coconut rope frames further ensures sustainable conservation, as highlighted by the IUCN.
5. What is the global impact of the Palk Bay Dugong Conservation Reserve?
The IUCN’s recognition positions the reserve as a global blueprint for marine conservation. The resolution encourages replicating India’s model in other Indian Ocean regions and beyond, promoting community-led strategies, sustainable fisheries, and international partnerships. By protecting dugongs, known as “farmers of the sea,” the reserve supports seagrass ecosystems that bolster fisheries and coastal resilience, offering a scalable framework for global marine biodiversity preservation.
