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.
Answer:
(c)
Core Books/NCERT
The dugong is the only living representative of the once-diverse family Dugongidae; its closest modern relative, Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), was hunted to extinction in the 18th century. The dugong is the only strictly marine herbivorous mammal, as all species of manatee use fresh water to some degree. In India, it is found off the Gujarat Coast (Gulf of Kutch), Tamil Nadu coast (Gulf of Mannar), Palk Bay and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.Tikdam: if it;s along the entire coast, it would be so ubiquitous as not to require protection