Submitted by
vedharajan.balaji
on Mon, 10/12/2026 - 12:42
General Information
Period covered
IUCN Constituent
OMCAR Foundation
IUCN Constituent type
IUCN Member organisation
Activities carried out to implement this Resolution
| Relevant operative para(s) of Res/Rec | Activities Overview | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1a
|
Scientific/technical activities
|
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is advancing a ten-year management plan for the Dugong Conservation Reserve. A dedicated draft is under review to guide dugong and seagrass protection, fisheries interactions, monitoring and community participation.
|
On-going
|
|
1a
|
Scientific/technical activities
|
The 2026 report Population Status of Dugongs in Tamil Nadu, prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India with support from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, provides a scientific baseline for dugong monitoring, habitat protection and conservation planning. The assessment used non-invasive methods, including drones and underwater cameras.
|
Completed
|
|
1a
|
Scientific/technical activities
|
Field observations documented ongoing ecological and fisheries interactions in seagrass feeding grounds, including the occurrence of trawling, dragnets, anchoring and trap nets. Restoration-site observations also recorded turbidity, siltation, macroalgal growth and evidence of fishing-gear interaction. These observations were shared with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to support adaptive site management, habitat protection and continued monitoring
|
Completed
|
|
1a
|
Field activities
|
Joint monitoring of seagrass restoration sites has continued with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and local conservation partners. Seagrass and sediment samples were collected at restored sites in June 2026 for blue carbon assessment, contributing evidence for habitat management and continued monitoring.
|
On-going
|
|
1a
1b
|
Field activities
|
Seagrass wrack was surveyed in May 2026. The May work combined UAV mapping, fixed shoreline sectors and quadrat sampling to record wrack wet biomass. Seagrass line-transect training and underwater observations further developed practical skills for habitat assessment and continued monitoring.
|
Completed
|
|
1a
|
Field activities
|
Fishers, the Forest Department and conservation partners responded to dugong strandings in Dugong Conservation Reserve in September 2026. Carcass examinations and documentation supported stranding records. The September response also involved veterinary personnel and included a necropsy and morphometric measurements, strengthening evidence for dugong monitoring.
|
Completed
|
|
1a
|
Field activities
|
Fishing-community participation has enabled dugong rescue and release. On 14 June 2026, fishers freed an entangled calf and safely returned it to the sea. The District Collector and District Forest Officer have also recognised fisher rescuers through appreciation and rewards, reinforcing their contribution to dugong protection. This demonstrates that meaningful dugong conservation is being implemented through practical, on-the-ground action.
|
Completed
|
|
1a
|
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
|
Conservation infrastructure development: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is building the International Dugong Conservation Centre at Manora through the World Bank-supported Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources and Blue Economy (TN-SHORE) project. Groundbreaking took place in February 2026 and a work order has been issued. The centre will support research, monitoring, training and public education.
|
On-going
|
|
1b
|
Capacity building
|
Eleven Marine Conservation Leadership fellows completed one month of training. Separate programmes trained 60 Tamil Nadu Forest Academy forester trainees and 18 Wildlife Institute of India students. Activities included seagrass assessment, conservation technology, fisheries interactions and dugong rescue procedures. A GIS workshop supported practical coastal conservation skills.
|
Completed
|
|
1a
1b
|
Convene stakeholders/Networking
|
The Forest Department convened an interdepartmental dugong conservation programme at Manamelkudi on 10 September 2026, involving government personnel, Alagappa University and local conservation practitioners. Exchanges addressed reserve management, dugong rescue, seagrass restoration and coordination across departments.
|
Completed
|
|
1b
|
Scientific/technical activities
|
Best Catch Assessment surveys were conducted in five Palk Bay fishing villages in May 2026. Fishers contributed knowledge of fishing effort, catch histories and changing conditions. The survey records support fisheries and livelihood discussions and provide a basis for collaborative analysis.
|
Completed
|
|
1b
|
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
|
Seventeen coastal village meetings addressed lost and abandoned fishing gear, prevention of gear loss and responsible disposal. The meetings engaged fishing communities in reducing pressures on seagrass habitats and supporting dugong conservation.
|
Completed
|
|
1b
|
Capacity building
|
Palmyra craft training was delivered to 59 women from six coastal villages in February 2026. The programme developed practical craft skills and explored supplementary livelihood opportunities as part of community engagement in coastal conservation.
|
Completed
|
|
1b
|
Scientific/technical activities
|
Needs assessments engaged fishers in eight villages in May 2026 and women's self-help groups in seven villages in June. Further assessments in Keezhathottam, Pillaiyarthidal and Kollukadu in July, involving AIM Foundation and local conservation partners, identified livelihood needs and opportunities to guide supplementary livelihood support and community participation.
|
Completed
|
|
1c
|
Capacity building
|
Online technical session was organised for Marine Conservation Leadership Fellows in June 2026 on seagrass restoration methods and fisheries assessment. IUCN learning sessions addressed conservation solutions, inclusive governance and international standards, supporting exchange of practical approaches relevant to Palk Bay.
|
Completed
|
|
2
|
Convene stakeholders/Networking
|
A February 2026 sustainable-finance consultation workshop held at Chennai convened by Zoological Society of London brought together the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India, CMS Dugong MOU, IUCN, TN-SHORE and local conservation partners. It identified priority research and management interventions and explored long-term financing and community livelihoods.
|
Completed
|
|
2
|
Policy influencing/advocacy
|
India chapter of the UNEP-CMS seagrass policy toolkit were submitted on 12 September 2026 and acknowledged on 14 September. The contribution documented reserve governance and management-plan progress, supporting policy learning relevant to adaptation of the reserve model in other dugong range states.
|
Completed
|
|
3
|
Convene stakeholders/Networking
|
A UNEP-CMS Dugong MOU delegation, with Project Seagrass, visited India in late September-early October 2026. The Palk Bay programme connected international specialists with Tamil Nadu Forest Department and community conservation. The agenda covered seagrass ecosystem services, cooperation, blue carbon capacity building and workshop.
|
Completed
|
|
3
|
Convene stakeholders/Networking
|
The UNEP-CMS India mission proposed a possible India-Sri Lanka dialogue on dugong and seagrass conservation with IUCN. The initiative remains under consideration, subject to partner agreement. Such a dialogue would support coordinated conservation across the shared marine region and cooperation on dugong populations and their habitats.
|
Planned
|
|
3
|
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
|
School and National Service Scheme education programmes recorded 712 attendances during July-September 2026. Sessions addressed dugong ecology, seagrass habitats and practical conservation, helping young people understand the ecological importance of Palk Bay.
|
Completed
|
|
3
|
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
|
Documentary fieldwork took place Roundglass Sustain Project in Palk Bay during July-August 2026, documenting local conservation experience and community participation. The completed fieldwork contributed material for communication about dugongs and seagrass habitats.
|
Completed
|
|
3
|
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
|
The Dugongs of Palk Bay film was produced through collaboration involving Project Seagrass, UNEP-CMS and local conservation partners through interviews with fishermen.
|
On-going
|
|
3
|
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
|
From September 2025 to September 2026, OMCAR Foundation directly reached approximately 1,000+ students, fishers, trainees and other participants through school outreach programmes (including staff visits to schools, calculated at about 60 students per school), community awareness programmes, workshops, field visits and conservation training activities.
|
Completed
|
Actors involved in this resolution
| IUCN Members | IUCN Commissions | IUCN Secretariat | Other non-IUCN related organisations |
|---|---|---|---|
|
OMCAR Foundation ( India )
|
No IUCN Commissions involved
|
Yes
|
Challenges / lessons learned
| Challenges / lessons learned | Description |
|---|---|
|
Other (please specify)
|
Continued field observations indicate the importance of monitoring fisheries interactions, including trawling, dragnets, anchoring and trap nets, in and around seagrass feeding grounds. Restoration sites also experience natural and anthropogenic influences such as turbidity, siltation and macroalgal growth. Continued scientific assessment, adaptive site selection and collaborative monitoring will help strengthen ongoing restoration and habitat-management efforts. |
|
Other (please specify)
|
Fishing households depend substantially on daily fishing and post-harvest activities, which can limit the time available for voluntary monitoring. Continued dialogue with fishing communities regarding conservation measures, sustainable fisheries and livelihood considerations can strengthen long-term community participation |
|
Other (please specify)
|
Long-term dugong protection will benefit from sustained technical, institutional and financial support. The ongoing development of the ten-year management plan, together with integration of monitoring results into field-management priorities, provides an important opportunity to further strengthen public investment, community participation and appropriate international partnerships |
External link(s)
Report status
Published