Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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International Whale Shark Day is celebrated annually on August 30. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a filter-feeding shark species. They are found in temperate and tropical oceans globally, except the Mediterranean Sea.
Whale sharks have a dark gray top with light spots and stripes, providing camouflage, and a mouth at the front of the head. They are filter feeders, processing over 6,000 liters of water per hour through their gills. Their diet includes plankton, small fish, and mollusks like sardines, anchovies, and squid. The IUCN classifies whale sharks as endangered.

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Recent analysis shows that about 50,000 trees were uprooted in a 200-hectare area along 2 to 3 km length in Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary, established in 1953, is located near the Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana borders. The perennial Dayyam Vagu river flows through it, dividing the sanctuary into two parts. The sanctuary is known for the Sammakkka Sarakka Jathra, one of Asia’s largest tribal festivals, held every two years. The River Godavari also flows through the sanctuary.

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The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) launched the Air Quality Management Exchange Platform (AQMx). It aims to assist air quality professionals globally in addressing air pollution. AQMx provides guidance and tools aligned with WHO Air Quality Guidelines targets. It was created in response to a UN Environment Assembly resolution, calling for global cooperation on air pollution. The platform addresses air quality management capacity gaps with curated guidance. AQMx helps decision-makers see air pollution’s full impact, enabling more accurate public health policies worldwide.

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A new snake species, Ahaetulla Longirostris, was discovered in India with a unique long snout. This snake, called the long-snouted vine snake, was found in Bihar and Meghalaya. It has a slender, elongated body and can grow up to 4 feet long. Its color ranges from bright green to orange-brown, with an orange belly. The head is triangular, and the snout is 18% of the head’s length. The species can live in both forests and urban areas, showing adaptability to different environments.

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The union government approved transferring 256 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai to the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL), drawing criticism from opposition leaders. Salt pans are low-lying lands where seawater leaves behind salt and minerals, vital for flood protection. According to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 2011, salt pans are ecologically sensitive and fall under CRZ-1B, allowing only salt extraction and gas exploration. Nationally, 60,000 acres of salt pan land exist, with Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra having the largest areas. Salt pans also host various bird and insect species, contributing to ecological balance.

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Researchers from the University of Kerala recently presented a study at the Estuarine & Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA) 60 conference in Hangzhou, revealing significant ecological decline in Veli-Akkulam Lake. Over 30 years, non-native species have invaded the lake, altering its nutrient flow and disrupting the food web. Using the Ecopath Model, the study highlights a major decline in native species like prawns and cichlids, while invasive species have surged. Initially, in the 1990s, the lake was rich in native species, but now, its ecosystem is severely impacted. Veli-Akkulam Lake, a 20-acre freshwater lake in Kerala, is fed by the Veli River.

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A recent study of fossils from Australia showed tectonic activity played a key role in the evolution of Coelacanths. Coelacanths are deep-sea fish found near the coasts of southern Africa and Indonesia. These fish are evolutionarily unique due to their lobe-shaped fins, with bones similar to those in human arms. Coelacanths are more closely related to tetrapods, such as frogs, than to most other fish species.

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The Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is facing habitat stress due to an overpopulation of spotted deer, leading to relocation efforts to restore ecosystem balance. The spotted deer, also known as Chital, is the most common deer species in Indian forests. Its scientific name is Axis axis. It is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is widely found across Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and a small group in Pakistan.

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Recent flooding in the Saryu River severely disrupted transportation and impacted local communities in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh. The Saryu River flows through Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh and holds ancient significance, being mentioned in the Vedas and the Ramayana. It is formed at the confluence of the Karnali and Mahakali rivers and is a tributary of the Ganges River.

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Researchers discovered two new fish species in Nagaland: Garra zubzaensis and Psilorhynchus kosygini. These are torrent minnows, small freshwater fish found in fast-flowing streams. Garra zubzaensis was found in the Zubza River, a Brahmaputra tributary in Kohima, with its habitat being fast-flowing, rocky streams. Psilorhynchus kosygini was discovered in the Tepuiki River, a Barak River tributary in Peren, thriving in fast-flowing, shaded waters. Both species are adapted to strong currents, using sucker-like structures to cling to surfaces and forage in rocky habitats