The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has formally recognized India’s very first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, marking a monumental international endorsement of the nation’s steadfast efforts in marine conservation.
This crucial motion, championed by the Omcar Foundation and officially adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, garnered overwhelming support from members globally. A staggering 98% of government representatives and 94.8% of non-governmental organizations, research institutions, and various other bodies voted in favor of the resolution.
On Thursday, September 25, 2025, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin publicly lauded this global acknowledgment for the sanctuary, extending his appreciation to the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and its dedicated conservation partners for their tireless work.
The Dugong Conservation Reserve, spanning an impressive 448.34 square kilometers across northern Palk Bay, was officially established by the Tamil Nadu government on September 21, 2022, under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. This ecologically vital region boasts over 12,250 hectares of lush seagrass meadows. These underwater pastures serve as essential feeding grounds for dugongs (Dugong dugon), often referred to as ‘sea cows,’ a species currently listed as Vulnerable to Extinction on the IUCN Red List. Beyond dugongs, these vibrant seagrass ecosystems also support a diverse array of other marine species, underscoring the reserve’s profound ecological importance.
The adopted motion voiced serious concerns regarding ongoing habitat degradation, the prevalence of destructive fishing practices, and the alarming impacts of climate change. All these factors pose significant threats to the dwindling dugong populations and jeopardize the overall health of Palk Bay’s delicate ecosystems. Critically, the resolution emphasized the urgent need for community-led conservation strategies to ensure the judicious and sustainable use of precious marine resources.
IUCN members particularly highlighted the innovative restoration techniques that have been successfully implemented within the reserve. These include inventive methods like using bamboo and coconut rope frames to rejuvenate damaged seagrass meadows. The initiative received widespread praise for its successful integration of robust scientific methodologies with active community participation, thereby establishing a commendable conservation model not just for South Asia, but potentially for other vulnerable marine areas worldwide.
The resolution urged all IUCN members to actively collaborate with both the Indian and Tamil Nadu governments, as well as local grassroots organizations. This collaboration aims to bolster monitoring efforts, enhance capacity for sustainable fisheries management, and facilitate the crucial exchange of knowledge with existing international dugong conservation programs. Furthermore, it strongly advocated for the replication of this successful Indian model in other regions of the Indian Ocean and globally, wherever dugong populations face similar risks.