UNION GOVT. PANEL & DUGONG CONSERVATION CENTRE

NEWS: The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has asked the Tamil Nadu government to revise the design of the proposed International Dugong Conservation Centre.

About the Proposed Dugong Conservation Centre

• Location: Manora, Thanjavur district
• Cost: ₹40.94 crore
• Area: ~28,000 sq. metres
• Purpose: Dugong conservation, research, rescue & rehabilitation, public awareness & education

Why Is the Location Environmentally Sensitive?

The project site overlaps with:

• CRZ-III (No Development Zone – NDZ)

o Minimal human activity allowed

o Almost 22,000 sq. metres of the project falls here

• CRZ-I areas
• Includes: Mangroves, Seagrass meadows, Mudflats

Importance of Dugongs

• Dugongs are: Critically endangered marine mammals, dependent on seagrass meadows
• They are a keystone species: Their grazing maintains seagrass health
• Healthy seagrass supports: Fish nurseries, carbon sequestration(blue carbon), coastal protection

Concerns Raised by the Expert Appraisal Committee

• Heavy use of cement and concrete in a pristine coastal zone
• Lack of: Low-impact engineering, Eco-sensitive architectural design
• Construction may: Damage seagrass beds, Disturb mangroves, Alter coastal geomorphology

EAC Recommendations

• Adopt low-impact construction: Nature-blending architecture, Timber-based structures
• Relocate structures: Shift as much construction as possible outside CRZ-III NDZ
• Balance conservation with regulation: Conservation projects must comply with CRZ norms