Tamil Nadu is home to 270 dugongs, according to a new population assessment that marks a significant milestone for India’s marine conservation efforts.
The Wildlife Institute of India conducted the survey in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department along the state’s coastline. Researchers counted 158 dugongs in Palk Bay and 112 in the Gulf of Mannar using drone technology.
Who discovered the stable population?
Dr. J.A. Johnson, Scientist-F at WII, led the assessment team that produced India’s first systematic, drone-based population estimate for the endangered marine mammals. The Wildlife Institute of India partnered with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to complete the comprehensive survey.
“The survey has established a benchmark and will be scaled up in future for regular monitoring of the dugong population,” Johnson told The new Indian Express.
Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, announced the findings. “The findings indicate that the dugong population in Tamil Nadu is stable and doing well,” she said.
How did researchers count the sea cows?
Researchers deployed high-resolution drones equipped with optical cameras to scan shallow coastal waters. The survey followed standardized fixed-width strip transects and synchronized drone deployments during optimal sea and light conditions to maximize detection probability.
The methodology marked a shift from earlier reliance on fisher interviews and opportunistic sightings. Previous estimates from 2012 and 2013 put the dugong population at approximately 175 individuals based on interview surveys with fishing communities.
The application of standardized protocols and availability-bias correction produced reliable density and abundance estimates comparable with international best practices. The new aerial survey shows the population has grown substantially and remains stable.
When did conservation efforts begin?
The Wildlife Institute of India implemented the Dugong Recovery Programme with support from CAMPA, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department engaged coastal communities over several years to reduce threats including accidental entanglement in fishing gear and habitat degradation.
The state government recently notified the Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, covering 448 square kilometers of core dugong habitat. This policy milestone provides legal protection for critical feeding grounds where dugongs graze on seagrass meadows.
Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar together now represent the largest viable dugong population in India. The regions provide extensive seagrass meadows that dugongs depend on for survival.
The survey confirmed the presence of mother-calf pairs, providing evidence of active breeding in Tamil Nadu waters. This finding indicates the population is reproducing successfully and has long-term viability.
In India, dugongs are found primarily along the Tamil Nadu coast, with smaller populations in the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Tamil Nadu population is the most stable due to abundant seagrass meadows and active conservation measures.
Where will the new conservation center operate?
Authorities are establishing India’s first Dugong Conservation Centre at Manora in Thanjavur District. The facility will cost Rs 40.94 crore with support from the World Bank Group.
The state-of-the-art center will conduct research, generate public awareness, and facilitate community participation in conservation. It will provide advanced monitoring capabilities and training for local communities while developing strategies to reduce human-dugong conflicts.
Dugongs are marine herbivores that graze on seagrass beds in shallow coastal waters. The species is classified as vulnerable globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Populations face threats from fishing bycatch, coastal development, and seagrass habitat loss.
Tamil Nadu’s approach demonstrates how scientific monitoring, government policy, and community engagement can protect endangered marine species. The state’s model may guide dugong conservation efforts in other parts of India and the Indo-Pacific region.
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