1. Recovery of Dugongs and their habitats in India: An integrated participatory approach

2. DUGONGS IN INDIA Population status Major Threats Tamil Nadu Gujarat
Critically Endangered in India
Less than 200 animals left
Highly fragmented populations
Gulf of Kachchh
Palk Bay &
Gulf of Mannar
A&N Is.
Major Threats
Poor Breeding Capacity
Poaching
Fishing net entanglement
Boat strikes
Habitat loss
Pollution
High level of conflict with fishermen
Tamil Nadu
Habitat outside PA Network
Incidental Killings during fishing
Gujarat
Habitat Degradation due to pollution
Andaman and Nicobar
Fragmented Habitats, fishing & Tourism

3. CONSERVATION GOALS AND ACTIONS
SPECIES CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
Population assessment through advanced census techniques
Incentives on releasing the entangled dugongs
Dugong Scholarship
HABITAT CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
Create and manage “Regulated Inviolate Habitat for Dugongs”
Management Plans for Gulf of Mannar NP, Jhansi Rani Marine NP
PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT OF DUGONG AND ITS HABITATS
Incentive based Dugong Citizen Watch
Educational awareness programmes, participatory workshops
Involve local stakeholders in conservation efforts
CAPACITY-BUILDING OF THE STATE FOREST DEPARTMENT & LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Enhance capacity of Enforcement agencies for community based monitoring and conservation of dugongs and their habitats
Enhancing capacity of rescues and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals

4. Incentive for Conservation: Dugong Scholarship
Reach parents through their children
Create a network of well informed ‘Future India’
1560 Students appeared in competitive examinations
Selected 150 Students
Rs.500/month for 2 years
‘Dugong Ambassadors’

5. Incentive for Conservation Dugong Rescue and Rehabilitation
First time in India, Three dugongs were entangled in fishing nets have been rescued and released back to sea by fishermen of Tamil Nadu in February Fishermen were honored by CAMPA Project with TNFD

6. Conservation Awareness Programme: Using Climate Change Express Train that travelled all through India in 2017
Reached 20,000 children and 4,000 Adults

7. Total habitat occupancy of dugong in India ~ 6500km2
Identified Critical Dugong Habitats in India
Total habitat occupancy of dugong in India ~ 6500km2

8. Mobile App – Save Dugong Friends of dugong information Network
The network includes fishermen communities, commercial SCUBA divers and regular seafarers
Recent dugong sightings, location and rescue will be reported
Pilot Testing in Tamil Nadu – later it would be up-scaled to PAN India

9. Capacity Building
Trained 10 Range Forest Officers with SCUBA Diving and to monitor seagrass habitats and dugongs

10. Thanks to Dugong Partners ….
CMS- Dugong MoU
with