Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs
1. Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is going to initiate the Asiatic Lion Census in May 2020. What is the IUCN status of the Asiatic Lions?
[A] Endangered
[B] Critically Endangered
[C] Vulnerable
[D] Near threatened
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Endangered]
Notes:
Asiatic Lions are listed as an endangered species by the IUCN. They are currently confined to the Gir National Park. These lions are one among the 5 Pantherine cats living in India. Other Pantherine cats include Bengal Tiger, Snow Leopard, Indian Leopard and Clouded Leopard.
2. Which state will have the country’s first rehabilitation centre for freshwater turtles?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Bihar
[C] Chhattisgarh
[D] Odisha
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bihar]
Notes:
India’s first rehabilitation centre for freshwater turtles will be inaugurated in the Bhagalpur forest division of Bihar. The centre, which is to be open soon can accommodate 500 turtles at a time. The forest division is near to the river Ganga, which makes it a perfect breeding area for freshwater turtles. The turtles are abducted and hurt by smugglers will be rescued by the team of the rehabilitation centre and will be provided proper treatment.
3. The Supreme Court of India recently permitted to introduce which animal to Indian habitat from Namibia?
[A] African elephant
[B] African Lion
[C] African Cheetah
[D] African Rhinoceros
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [African Cheetah]
Notes:
The Supreme Court of India recently permitted the Centre to introduce the ‘African Cheetahs’ to the appropriate habitats in India. As the Asiatic cheetah, commonly called as the Indian Cheetah, has become almost extinct, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) filed a petition, which sought permission for introducing African Cheetahs to India.
The bench headed by the Chief Justice S A Bobde also set up a committee with three members from Wildlife Institute of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, which will guide the NTCA in this regard.
4. The Cauvery delta region, which is set to be declared a Protected Special Agriculture Zone, is located in which state?
[A] Karnataka
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Kerala
[D] Andhra Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Edappadi K. Palaniswami recently announced that the Cauvery delta region would be declared as a ‘Protected Special Agriculture Zone’.
This declaration would ensure the food security of the State. The Cauvery delta region in the central districts of Tamil Nadu would be converted into Protected Special Agriculture Zone. Special legislations are to be enacted in this regard.
5. As per the ‘State of India’s Birds Report 2020’, which bird species showed a big increase in population?
[A] Indian peafowl
[B] Great Indian Bustard
[C] Common Ostrich
[D] Turkey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Indian peafowl]
Notes:
The ‘State of India’s Birds Report 2020’ was recently released during the 13th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP 13).
As per the report, 79 per cent of Indian species of birds declined in population while the number of Indian pea fowls has significantly increased. The number of house sparrows remained almost stable across the country. The report classified 101 species in the ‘high conservation’ category.
6. India is set to use Euro-VI emission compliant fuels from which date?
[A] April 1, 2020
[B] June 1, 2020
[C] September 1, 2020
[D] January 1, 2021
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [April 1, 2020]
Notes:
It was recently announced that India is set to use Euro-VI emission compliant fuels from April 1, 2020. It is the world’s cleanest petrol and diesel, which has a sulphur content of just 10 parts per million.
At present, India uses Euro-IV equivalent emission compliant fuels (Bharat Stage – IV), and in just 3 years, it has shifted to BS-VI fuel. It took seven years to switch from the third stage to fourth stage. Several states and UTs have already shifted to BS-VI grade fuels including Delhi and Haryana.
7. The term ‘Long Range Forecast (LRF)’, which was seen in news recently, is used to predict which parameter?
[A] Inflation
[B] Industrial Production
[C] Monsoon Rainfall
[D] Pandemic
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Monsoon Rainfall]
Notes:
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has recently released the first stage of Long Range Forecast (LRF) for south-west monsoon season.
As per its forecast, the southwest monsoon from June to September over India may be normal across the country. It also forecasted that the intensity of monsoon rainfall would be between 96 and 104 per cent of the long period average (LPA) of the country, which is 880 mm during 1961-2010.
8. Longleng and Chiulan are the names of which migratory birds recently mentioned by the Union Environment Ministry?
[A] Amur Falcon
[B] Eurasian hobby
[C] Caspian plover
[D] Spotted kestrel
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Amur Falcon]
Notes:
The Union Environment Ministry recently announced that two female Amur Falcon Birds named Longleng and Chiulan, which were satellite-tagged, are providing information regarding the flying pattern of these birds.
The bird named “Longleng” was satellite-tagged at Nagaland in November, 2016 under the Environment Ministry funded project. After visiting Somalia, the bird has returned to India. Another bird named Chiulan was tagged last year and it has travelled to Somalia.
9. Which plant species was removed from the ‘Tree’ category, through the amendment made in the Indian Forest Act, 1927?
[A] Rubber Fig
[B] Pistachio tree
[C] Bamboo
[D] Rubber tree
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bamboo]
Notes:
The 1927 Indian Forest Act was amended and the Indian Forest (Amendment) Act 2017 was passed by the Indian government, which removed Bamboo from the category of ‘Tree’ and felled or extracted bamboo, that is found in or brought from a forest, would not be considered as ‘timber’.
Recently, the Union Minister for the Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jitendra Singh addressed a bamboo conclave through video conference. He highlighted that bamboo is vital to develop post-COVID-19 economy of our country. The Home Ministry allowed the functioning of bamboo related activities amidst the lockdown from April 16.
10. The phenomenon ‘Arribada’, that was seen in news recently, is associated with which species?
[A] Snake
[B] Spider
[C] Turtle
[D] Fish
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Turtle]
Notes:
Recently, about 2 Crore Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings walked into the sea from Odisha’s coast. The turtles settle at the Gahirmatha and Rushikulya rookery in the state and lay eggs every year.
Several lakhs of turtles lay eggs on the coast, in a phenomenon called Arribada. These hatchlings will grow up and said to return to the same place for laying their eggs. The turtles get their name from the colour of its olive-green shell. As per the World Wildlife Fund, they are the most abundant of all sea turtles but they are vulnerable because they nest in only a few places.
The above questions are part of Daily Current Affairs 20 MCQs Series in GKToday's Academy Android Application. This series can be subscribed in the app only for Rs. 750/- for entire year.
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