Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh is set to become the state’s 8th tiger reserve. It covers about 3,500 sq km across Raisen, Sehore, and Bhopal districts. 1,500 sq km will be the core tiger area, with 2,000 sq km as a buffer zone. The sanctuary is home to 40 tigers, with 12 more tigers frequently moving nearby. It will boost tourism and the local economy, with increased government funding. The sanctuary hosts diverse wildlife, including over 150 bird species.

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The Indonesian government plans partial closures of Komodo National Park in 2025 to mitigate the negative impacts of a growing number of tourists on the fragile ecosystem, primarily aimed at protecting the iconic Komodo dragons. The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard species, scientifically known as Varanus komodoensis. It lives on Komodo Island and nearby Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia. Komodo dragons grow up to 3 meters long, weigh about 135 kg, and have yellow, forked tongues. They can reproduce through parthenogenesis when isolated from males. Known for their venomous bite, they can occasionally attack humans. Lifespan is 30 years, and they are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

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A new genus of jumping spiders, ‘Tenkana,’ was discovered across southern India. The genus includes two known species and a new species, Tenkana jayamangali, from Karnataka. The name “Tenkana” comes from Kannada, meaning “south,” reflecting its southern India and northern Sri Lanka presence. Tenkana belongs to the Plexippina subtribe, distinct from related genera like Hyllus and Telamonia. These spiders prefer dry, ground habitats and are found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

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Around 150 to 200 rare Indian Skimmer birds were recently spotted at Lower Manair Dam in Telangana, a first for the region. The Indian Skimmer is native to South Asia and belongs to the genus Rynchops in the family Laridae. Its scientific name is Rynchops albicollis, and it feeds by skimming low over water to catch fish. The bird is mainly found in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, with some populations in Nepal and Myanmar. It prefers larger, sandy rivers, lakes, and estuaries, with an estimated population of 2,450-2,900 individuals. The Indian Skimmer has a black upper body, white underbelly, and a long orange beak. Its conservation status is classified as endangered by the IUCN.

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NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite captured images of ‘sea smoke’ rising from Antarctica’s Pine Island Glacier, a phenomenon where frigid air meets warm water, creating fog-like plumes. This rare atmospheric event highlights the glacier’s vulnerability and the impact of strong winds on polar ice sheets. Sea smoke forms when cold air cools and condenses over open waters, resulting in ghostly ice crystal plumes that can influence ice mass balance. Pine Island Glacier is known for its rapid retreat and significant role in ice flow dynamics.

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Indian botanists have discovered a new leafless orchid species, Gastrodia lohitensis, in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lohit district. This orchid thrives in bamboo thickets around Tezu, relying on nutrients from fungi in decomposing leaf litter instead of sunlight. The discovery was led by Krishna Chowlu from the Botanical Survey of India during a May 2024 expedition. Gastrodia lohitensis stands 50-110 cm tall and has unique features, including linear calli and ridges on its flower lip. It is classified as “Endangered” due to threats from local land use, emphasizing the need for habitat protection in this biodiverse area.

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Botanists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) identified a new flowering plant species, Dicliptera srisailamica, in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The plant, named after the temple town of Srisailam, belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It was found in rare patches along stream banks and rocky edges near waterfalls. The plant grows up to 90 cm with four-angled stems, ovate leaves, and pink bi-lipped flowers blooming from October to January. This discovery adds to India’s plant diversity, with Dicliptera representing 27 species, eight of which are endemic.

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A severe drought has lowered the water levels of Lake Kariba, threatening to shut down the Kariba Dam for the first time in its 65-year history, impacting Zambia and Zimbabwe’s economies. Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake, spanning 2,000 square miles along the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. Formed by damming the Zambezi River, the Kariba Dam is 128 meters high and provides power to both countries. The lake hosts 102 islands, including Chete Island, which has the world’s largest protected wetlands and the largest population of African elephants.

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The UAE launched the “Global Energy Efficiency Alliance” at COP29 in Azerbaijan to double global energy efficiency by 2030. This initiative, following the ‘UAE Consensus’ from COP28, unites countries, organizations, and corporations to cut emissions and manage resources sustainably. The UAE will lead by sharing energy efficiency expertise, promoting partnerships with the private sector, and standardizing best practices. The alliance aims to foster public-private collaborations and attract investments in energy efficiency. It will help African countries by providing financing options and technology solutions crucial for sustainable energy development.

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Authorities have denied claims made in a media report about wild animals disappearing from Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary due to encroachments, calling them inaccurate and sensationalized. The sanctuary is located in Palghar district, Maharashtra, 75 km from Mumbai. It spans 85 sq. km., mostly hilly terrain, and serves as a corridor between Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary. The area features dense forests, small rivers, and a mix of Dry Deciduous, Moist Deciduous, and Semi-Evergreen forests, with species like teak, bamboo, and mango trees.