Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Recently, Cyclone Montha made landfall along the Bay of Bengal coast. The name “Montha” means a fragrant flower in the Thai language. It is a tropical cyclone, a rapidly rotating storm formed over tropical oceans around a low-pressure system. Such storms are called Hurricanes in the Atlantic, Typhoons in the Western Pacific and South China Sea, and Willy-willies in Western Australia.

Notes:
The Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas), the world’s largest moth, was recently spotted in Guddehalli, Karwar, in Davangere district, Karnataka. It is native to tropical and subtropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. The species is found in countries like Nepal, northeastern India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Taiwan. It is known for its massive wingspan that can reach up to 25–30 cm. The moth produces a type of silk called “fagara,” which is coarse and woolly. Its presence indicates a healthy rainforest ecosystem.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh will establish Nauradehi Sanctuary as the third home for cheetahs, after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. Cheetahs will be brought from Namibia (Africa) and released into Nauradehi to expand conservation efforts. The state is actively working on wildlife conservation, including releasing six crocodiles (four females, two males) into the Indira Sagar Dam on the Narmada River. A gharial conservation campaign is ongoing, and some gharials will be sent to Assam on request. Plans are underway for a new Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, covering 61,407 hectares across Khandwa and Dewas districts.

Notes:
Continuous floods at the Prakasam Barrage on the Krishna River have forced the closure of Bhavani Island and suspension of boat services, affecting tourism revenue. Bhavani Island, located near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, is one of India’s largest river islands. The Krishna River, 1,400 km long, originates near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra and flows through Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before entering the Bay of Bengal. Its basin covers about 2.59 lakh sq. km, the second largest in peninsular India after the Godavari.

Notes:
Recently, scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovered a new flowering plant species named Crassicaulis middletonii. It was found in the evergreen forests of West Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh. This marks the first record of the genus Crassicaulis in India, extending its range 1,200 km westward from Yunnan province, China. It has white flowers with pink tinge, a greenish ovary, and a distinct calyx and capsule shape. It is classified as “Critically Endangered” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Notes:
Recently, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) recommended reinstating the Rhesus Macaque under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) is a species of Old World monkey. It is a brown primate with red face and rear and short hair on its head. It is native to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and southern China. It inhabits forests, mangroves, grasslands, and mountains, and also thrives near humans. It is categorized as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
Wildlife experts in Uttarakhand recently warned that Himalayan Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus laniger) are becoming aggressive due to erratic weather disrupting their hibernation. It is a subspecies of the Asian Black Bear, also known as the Asiatic Black Bear or Moon Bear. It is mainly found in the Himalayas across India, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan, and China. It is listed as Vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Notes:
No registered breeders or authorised pet shops exist in India for African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus), yet they are widely sold in pet markets. Forest departments confirmed through Right to Information (RTI) replies that no breeder has registered with them. The species is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), requiring special permits and CITES certificates for domestic and international trade. African grey parrot is a medium-sized dusty grey bird, scientifically called Psittacus erithacus, and known as one of the most talented talking/mimicking birds. It has a lifespan of over 50 years and is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Notes:
The Finn’s Weaver is silently disappearing from the marshy lowlands of the Terai region in India. Its scientific name is Ploceus megarhynchus and it is also called Finn’s baya or yellow weaver. It is named after Frank Finn, a British officer and bird expert. It is native to the Ganga and Brahmaputra river valleys in India and Nepal. It lives near dams, reservoirs, marshy soil, tall grass, semal and shisham trees. It builds nests on tall grass and trees and feeds mainly on seeds and insects. Its status is Vulnerable as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

Notes:
Two pairs of red-breasted parakeets were spotted on the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Patna campus, exciting birdwatchers and highlighting local biodiversity. These birds are listed as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. This is the first confirmed sighting of red-breasted parakeets in Bihar. Scientific name of the species is Psittacula alexandri, also called the moustached parakeet. They are native to Southeast Asian countries and easily identified by the large red patch on their breast.