The Environment Ministry recently released a National Action Plan for the conservation of the Dugong.
The dugong, often called the “sea cow,” is a marine mammal found in coastal waters of India, especially in regions like the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Mannar, and Gulf of Kutch. Due to threats such as habitat loss, fishing net entanglement, and pollution, its population has been declining.
To address this, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched a national action plan focused on :
Habitat protection
Community awareness
Scientific research and monitoring
Reducing human-induced threats
This initiative aims to ensure the long-term survival of the dugong in Indian waters.