Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs
This category comprises 50 random questions from the total 88 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs category published in gktoday from 1 January, 2019 till August 11, 2020.
1. Fausta, a female black rhino, believed to be the world’s oldest rhino, had recently died in Tanzanian conservation area. What is the IUCN status of the black rhinos?
[A] Least concern
[B] Endangered
[C] Critically Endangered
[D] Near threatened
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Critically Endangered]
Notes:
Also known as “hook-lipped rhinoceros”, these species, though called “black” are in varying colours of brown and grey. They are found in South and East Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Its IUCN status is critically endangered, though the South-Western status of the black rhinoceros is classified under vulnerable.
2. Which river, which was recently in news for failed rejuvenation efforts, is known as Mexico’s most polluted waterway by the UN?
[A] Santiago river
[B] Rio Grande
[C] River Lerma
[D] Colorado river
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Santiago river ]
Notes:
The United Nations called the Santiago river as Mexico’s most polluted waterway. According to the 2017 figures, less than a third of the country’s industrial wastewater is treated. Recently, Mexico has signed an expansive trade deal with the US and Canada in which it made an explicit promise to conserve its environment.
3. Which nation has recently banned the ‘reef toxic’ sunscreen?
[A] Australia
[B] New Zealand
[C] Palau
[D] Nauru
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Palau]
Notes:
Palau has banned “reef-toxic” sunscreens. The scientific evidence showed that chemicals found in most sunscreens were toxic to corals. Therefore, from New Year’s Day, any reef-toxic sunscreens that are imported or sold in Palau will be confiscated and the owner will be fined.
4. What is Landouria tonywhitteni that was named after Tony Whitten?
[A] Snail
[B] Grasshopper
[C] Snake
[D] Beetle
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Snail]
Notes:
Tony Whitten was a British conservationist who documented biodiversity in Asia before he died due to cycling crash. A prize fund was set up in his name after his death. One of the recent winners of this prize named a snail in Indonesia after him. These species live in a limestone habitat and are threatened due to quarrying for the cement industry.
5. 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.
6. According to the recent data from the Ministry of Forest Environment and Climate Change (MoEFCC), what is the total number of tiger deaths occurred in India during 2019?
[A] 95
[B] 100
[C] 105
[D] 110
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [95]
Notes:
According to the recent data from the Ministry of Forest Environment and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the total number of tiger deaths was under 100 after three years. In the year 2019, 95 tigers were dead in total, among them 84 tigers were actually dead and 11 of them were presumed dead by identifying their body parts. In the previous year 2018, there were 100 deaths of tigers in total and in 2017, the count was 115.
7. 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.
8. According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD’s) Statement on Climate of India During 2019 report, Arabian Sea on India’s west coast saw a 400% rise in cyclones, a record that is repeated only after 1902. Which five cyclones hit Arabian Sea in 2019?
[A] Vayu, Pabuk, Kyarr, Bulbul and Pavan
[B] Vayu, Pabuk, Kyarr, Bulbul and Fani
[C] Pabuk,Vayu, Kyarr, Bulbul and Fani
[D] Vayu, Hikka, Kyarr, Maha and Pavan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ Vayu, Hikka, Kyarr, Maha and Pavan ]
Notes:
According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD’s) Statement on Climate of India During 2019 report, the number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea was 400% higher than normal frequency because five out of eight cyclones affected Arabian Sea. These give cyclones were Vayu, Hikka, Kyarr, Maha and Pavan. This after the sea on India’s west coast normally undergoes only one cyclone annually — read a 400% rise. (India normally has five cyclones in total every year.) However, the Bay of Bengal — usually the more cyclone-prone coast of India — was relatively subdued in 2019 with three (Pabuk, Fani, Bulbul) instead of four cyclones that occur there annually on an average.
9. Which national park recorded 96 unique species of wetland birds, recently?
[A] Keoladeo National Park
[B] Kaziranga National Park
[C] Bannerghatta National Park
[D] Buxa National Park
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kaziranga National Park]
Notes:
According to the second wetland bird count conducted by the officials of the Kaziranga National Park and avian specialists, ithe park recorded 96 species of wetland birds. This count is one of the highest among the other national parks with birdlife.
Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in the state of Assam. It has the world’s largest population of Indian rhinoceros also called as the one-horned rhinoceros. Several migratory birds visit the park attracting many tourists.
10. Which major tech-company recently announced that it has planned to cut more than half of carbon emissions across its supply chain, by 2030?
[A] Google
[B] Microsoft
[C] Infosys
[D] IBM
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Microsoft]
Notes:
The Chief Executive of Microsoft Corporation, Satya Nadella recently announced that the company has set a new ambition to address climate change and promised to remove the carbon emissions the company has made.
Microsoft has planned to cut more than half of carbon emissions across its supply chain by 2030. The plan also includes the creation of a “Climate Innovation Fund,” which will invest $1 billion for developing technologies to remove carbon. The company aims to remove the entire direct and indirect carbon emissions it had made since 1975 (founding year of Microsoft), by 2050.
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