In a first, Tamil Nadu to establish conservation reserve for sea cows

The Tamil Nadu government has announced India’s first conservation reserve for Dugongs, also known as sea cows. The reserve will cover over 500 km in Palk Bay.

The Tamil Nadu government on Friday announced plans to set up India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in the Palk Bay on the southeast coast of the state. Government of Tamil Nadu will set up India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve in the Palk BayDugong or the sea cow is an endangered marine species & survives on seagrass that is found in the area.The conserve will cover an area of 500 Kms #Dugong #TNForest #TNBudget @mkstalin pic.twitter.com/6V149A5OD3 Dugong or sea cow is an endangered marine mammal that is facing extinction due to habitat loss, sea pollution, and loss of sea grass. In Tamil Nadu, dugong is found in Gulf of Mannar, which is a shallow bay area between south eastern tip of Tamil Nadu and western part of Sri Lanka, and at Palk Bay, a semi enclosed shallow area in the same region.