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.
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 1 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) 3 only
Why the answer is (c)
• The dugong (sea cow) is a herbivorous marine mammal that grazes on seagrass meadows (statement 1) and is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (statement 3).
• Statement 2 is wrong: in India it survives only in the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kachchh and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands — not the entire coast; fewer than 250 remain.
• Tamil Nadu notified India's first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay in 2022.
• Hence 1 and 3, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2
- Statement 2 is wrong: dugongs are found only in a few areas.
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong.
- (d) 3 only
- Statement 1 is also correct: dugongs are herbivores.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.