With reference to ‘dugong', a mammal found in India, which of the foll

With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
2. It is found along the entire coast of India.
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 and 2

2 only

1 and 3

3 only

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Dugongs are herbivorous marine mammals and are provided the highest legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Statement 2 is incorrect.

Dugongs, often called ‘sea cows’, are exclusively herbivorous, feeding on seagrass beds. They are highly vulnerable and are listed under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, affording them maximum protection.

Dugongs are found in warm coastal waters from the western Pacific to the eastern coast of Africa. In India, their distribution is restricted to specific coastal areas and islands, notably the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay (Tamil Nadu), Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat), and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are not found along the entire coast of India. Their populations are threatened by habitat loss (seagrass destruction), entanglement in fishing gear, and poaching.

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