Swim to safety, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• Dugong populations in India, once widespread, declined to a few hundred due to poaching, by-catch, habitat loss, and slow reproduction.
• The Dugong Conservation Reserve was established in Palk Bay in 2022 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, protecting over 12,000 hectares of seagrass meadows.
• WII surveys indicate the Palk Bay dugong population is over 200, showing progress from previous extinction fears.
• The IUCN has recognized the reserve as an exemplar for its ecological significance and restoration techniques.

Detailed Insights:

• Tamil Nadu's stewardship, with WII and local community involvement, has reduced poaching and encouraged the release of dugongs caught as by-catch.
• Mechanised fishing, port construction, dredging, and pollution still threaten seagrass meadows within the reserve.
• Rising sea temperatures, acidification, and storms pose threats to seagrass restoration efforts.
• Cross-border collaboration with Sri Lanka is crucial for shared protection due to dugongs traversing the Palk Strait.
• Consistent funding is essential for the long-term recovery of dugong populations.
• Community engagement with fishers can mitigate by-catch and create local support for conservation.
• Blending traditional ecological knowledge with technologies enhances conservation efforts.

Key Concepts Involved:

• By-catch: Non-target species caught unintentionally during fishing.
• Seagrass meadows: Underwater ecosystems providing habitat and food for marine life.
• Compensatory afforestation fund: Funds allocated for afforestation activities to compensate for forest land diverted for non-forest purposes.