India’s First Dugong Conservation Reserve, located in Palk Bay in Tamil Nadu, has been acknowledged as a global example for the preservation of marine biodiversity at the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) 2025 World Conservation Congress. Nearly 95% of NGOs and research organizations, as well as 98% of participating nations and agencies, voted in favor of the resolution proposed by the Omcar Foundation.

Tamil Nadu’s innovative conservation efforts, which have placed India at the forefront of dugong and seagrass meadow protection, are highlighted by this worldwide accolade.

The 448.34 sq km reserve, which was established in September 2022 in accordance with the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, protects the northern Palk Bay, which is home to more than 12,250 hectares of seagrass meadows, which are vital feeding grounds for dugongs (Dugong dugon), classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List.

Conservation Importance and Difficulties

In addition to highlighting the biological significance of the reserve, the IUCN motion highlighted risks that could jeopardize dugong survival. Important issues include:

• Degradation of habitat brought on by seagrass loss and coastal development.
• Unsustainable fishing methods that cause dugongs to become entangled in nets.
• Seagrass habitats are being impacted by climate change, including increased sea temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events.

The Palk Bay reserve is a hotspot for biodiversity, as it is home to a diverse array of marine animals, including dugongs, as well as a variety of fish, crustaceans, and sea turtles. To protect dugong ecosystems throughout the Indian Ocean region, the resolution advocated for increased international collaboration, sustainable fisheries management, and community-led conservation.

The effort from Tamil Nadu is notable for its inclusiveness as well as its ecological aspects. This distinction reaffirms Tamil Nadu’s leadership in marine conservation throughout South Asia, said Supriya Sahu, Assistant Chief Secretary of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

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Community Participation and Ground-Level Success

The fisher-centric conservation approach of India’s First Dugong Conservation Reserve has been a key factor in its success. Through a combination of incentives and compensation, local fishing communities—who frequently experience dugong entanglements firsthand—have been actively involved.

Between 2021 and September 2025, 16 dugongs were saved and securely released in the Thanjavur and Pudukkottai divisions. The government implemented a two-tier framework to promote cooperation:

By fostering trust, decreasing the concealment of unintentional captures, and promoting prompt reporting, this strategy has eventually ensured that dugongs are returned to the ocean. “The system of rewards and compensation has built trust among fishermen. They now work with authorities rather than concealing unintentional captures,” stated Balaji Vedharajan, director of the Omcar Foundation.

Proactive measures taken by Tamil Nadu, with support from fishermen, have already demonstrated promising results. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin commended all parties involved for reaching this worldwide milestone, and Yash Veer Bhatnagar, the IUCN’s representative for India, confirmed early signs of species recovery.

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