Government of Tamil Nadu recently announced its plan to set up Indias first Dugong Conservation Reserve in the Palk Bay on the southeast coast.

Dugong or sea cow is an endangered marine mammal. It is facing extinction because of habitat loss, sea pollution, and loss of seagrass.

Dugong is found in Gulf of Mannar and at Palk Bay in Nadu.

Gulf of Mannar is a shallow bay area between south eastern end of Tamil Nadu and western Sri Lanka.

With the help of community participation, Government will also construct a Dugong Marine Conservation Reserve in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay area to protect the species.

Marine Conservation Reserve will be established over an area of 500km in Palk Bay.

It is believed that, an estimated 200 individuals live in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar area which would largely benefit from Tamil Nadu governments recent decision to establish conservation reserve.