Environment and Ecology
2015
Biodiversity
Wildlife Sanctuaries
National Parks
Protected Area Network

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 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

D.3 only
A.1 and 2
C.1 and 3
B.2 only

Correct Answer: Option C

Dugongs are herbivorous marine mammals.

Therefore, statement 1 is correct.

They are primarily found in areas like the Gulf of Mannar and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and not along the entire coast of India.

Therefore, statement 2 is incorrect.

Dugongs are provided legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Therefore, statement 3 is correct.

Hence, the correct answer is C: 1 and 3.