Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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A collision between an oil tanker and a cargo ship in the North Sea caused a massive fire, injuring 32 people. A large-scale rescue operation was launched by the UK Coastguard, with firefighting vessels and emergency services responding. The North Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located between Great Britain, Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

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A wildfire has burned around 50 hectares of Sajjangarh Sanctuary in Udaipur. The sanctuary is located on the outskirts of Udaipur, Rajasthan, in the Aravalli hills. It spans about 5.19 sq. km and surrounds the Sajjangarh Fort, built in 1874 by Maharana Sajjan Singh. Bari Lake, also called Tiger Lake, lies on its western slope and was built by Maharana Raj Singh. The sanctuary has deciduous and semi-evergreen forests with teak, mango, neem, and bamboo. It is home to panthers, hyenas, sloth bears, sambar deer, and four-horned antelopes.

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Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, has set up India’s first frozen zoo to store genetic material of Himalayan species. It is a collaboration with the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad. The zoo preserves DNA, sperm, eggs, and embryos in liquid nitrogen at -196°C for future conservation. The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP), also known as Darjeeling Zoo, is located in Darjeeling, West Bengal.

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The Supreme Court criticized the Uttarakhand government for slow action against senior officers accused of illegal constructions in Corbett Tiger Reserve. Corbett Tiger Reserve is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. It was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park and renamed Corbett National Park in 1957 to honor Jim Corbett. The total area of the reserve is 1,288.31 sq. km, with undulating terrain and several valleys. Rivers Ramganga, Pallaen, and Sonanadi flow through it. The reserve lies in the Bhabar and lower Shivalik regions with a deep-water table and porous terrain.

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Researchers from Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University discovered a new wild ginger species in Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha. The species, named Zingiber jagannathii Sahu & Priyadarshini, honors Lord Jagannath. It was found in August 2024 in Kulipala’s semi-evergreen forest at 758m elevation, covering less than 1 sqkm. Researchers aim to study its distribution, ecology, and medicinal potential. The discovery highlights Similipal’s rich biodiversity and the need for habitat conservation.

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A new species of snakehead fish, Channa nachi, was discovered in Meghalaya. It was found in a shallow, slow-flowing stream near Chokpot village, which is part of the Simsang River system. The habitat consists of sand, leaf litter, and pebbles, making it ideal for lesser-known aquatic species. The stream also hosts other freshwater fish like Schistura reticulofasciata, Dario kajal, Pseudolaguvia sp., and Barilius bendelisis. Channa nachi stands out due to its unique appearance and distinct characteristics.

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The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is celebrating its 25th foundation day, marking a major milestone in India’s polar research journey. Established in 1998 as an autonomous Research and Development (R&D) institution under the Government of India, it is based in Goa. NCPOR leads India’s polar and Southern Ocean research, managing missions in some of the world’s most extreme environments. It operates India’s Antarctic stations “Maitri” and “Bharati”, and the Arctic station “Himadri”. It functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

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India has launched a unique scientific study to detect zoonotic diseases that may pass from birds to humans. The study is titled “Building a surveillance model for detecting zoonotic spillover in increased bird-human interaction settings using the One Health approach.” It will follow the One Health approach, which links the health of humans, animals, and the environment. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is leading the initiative. The study will be carried out in selected bird sanctuaries and wetlands in Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. It aims to monitor human and bird health where their interactions are increasing.

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Recently, bioluminescent blue waves appeared in the backwaters of Kochi, Kerala, drawing tourists but causing concerns about environmental degradation among ecologists and fishers. Bioluminescence is the natural light produced by organisms like bacteria, fungi, and algae when coastal waters are disturbed. The main cause of this glow is Noctiluca scintillans, a type of plankton known as “sea sparkle”. This glow happens due to chemical reactions in parts called scintillons, and it is usually blue but can appear red or brown depending on the plankton’s concentration. The phenomenon is most commonly seen between March and May, known locally as “Kavaru” in Malayalam.

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India, along with 62 countries, supported the world’s first global carbon tax on the shipping sector, approved by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the global body that adopted the first global carbon tax on the shipping industry. A Carbon Tax is a type of environmental tax charged on the carbon content in fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. It aims to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by making pollution more expensive and promoting clean energy alternatives. The tax is calculated based on the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) or other GHGs released. It encourages a market-based climate solution, making industries shift to greener practices.