Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Mount Taranaki in New Zealand was granted legal personhood, becoming the second natural feature to receive this status. The mountain’s legal identity, Te Kāhui Tupua, includes Taranaki and surrounding land. The recognition acknowledges the historical theft of land from the Māori people after colonization. A newly created entity, with members from Māori tribes and the Conservation Minister, will represent the mountain. This law aims to protect the mountain’s health, cultural significance, and traditional practices. New Zealand previously granted personhood to Te Urewera and the Whanganui River.

Notes:
The Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis) was discovered for the first time in Mathikettan Shola National Park, Idukki, after a long gap. This omnivorous bird primarily feeds on insects, slugs, and grass seeds. It is found in grasslands in mountain ranges, particularly in Australia, parts of India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, northern Kerala), and Asia. Male birds have golden-orange plumage during breeding and distinctive calls. The bird is listed as Least Concern by IUCN. Mathikettan Shola is in the Western Ghats, Kerala.

Notes:
BHU zoologists confirmed around 1,000 pollutants in the Varuna River. Research found 580 pollutants in Varuna and 349 in Assi River. Toxic chemicals like Tert alkylphenols, Octylphenols, Butylphenols, and Hexadecylphenols were detected. Varuna River is a tributary of the Ganga, originating from Phulpur in Prayagraj. It merges with the Ganga near Sarai Mohana in Varanasi. Varanasi is named after the Varuna and Assi rivers. Sarnath is located at the confluence of the Ganga and Varuna rivers.

Notes:
The Crocodile Catfish was recently discovered in the Bahini River, Guwahati, raising ecological concerns. It is one of the largest freshwater catfish species in Asia, found in countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It can grow over 1.5 meters and weigh more than 50 kg, with a dark body and broad head. Its conservation status is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN.

Notes:
A deep-sea fishing expedition by the Fishery Survey of India (FSI) discovered highly productive, unexplored fishing grounds in the Arabian Sea. FSI operates under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying. It is responsible for surveying and assessing fishery resources in India’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Established in 1946 as the Deep Sea Fishing Station, it became a survey institute in 1974. It was upgraded to a national institute in 1983 and recognized as a Science & Technology Institute in 1988.

Notes:
The first breeding site of the Blue-Cheeked Bee-eater in peninsular India was discovered in saltpans of Aandivilai near the Manakudy Mangroves, Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu. This bird belongs to the bee-eater family (Meropidae) and was previously known as a migrant and winter visitor in India. It prefers sub-tropical semi-desert regions with sparse trees like acacias for breeding. It nests alone or in small colonies and sometimes shares colonies with European bee-eaters. Its breeding range includes the Nile Delta, Pakistan, and Iran, while it winters in Africa. It breeds in sandy deserts near water bodies.

Notes:
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, also called the Arctic Doomsday Vault, received over 14,000 new seed samples. It is located on the Norwegian Arctic Island and owned by Norway. It is managed by the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, NordGen, and the Crop Trust. It stores duplicate seeds from global genebanks as a backup against disasters like nuclear war, conflict, or climate change.

Notes:
The Cape Vulture has returned to South Africa’s Eastern Cape after three decades. It is an Old World vulture species in the Accipitridae family and is endemic to southern Africa. It is mainly found in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and parts of northern Namibia. There are 23 vulture species globally—16 Old World vultures in Africa, Europe, and Asia, and 7 New World vultures in the Americas. Vultures prevent disease spread by disposing of carcasses efficiently. Their decline increases disease risks from scavengers like feral dogs and rats. The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres) is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Notes:
The high court issued notices to South Western Railway and Directorate of Survey and Land Records (DSLR) over a PIL challenging land acquisition at Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in the Western Ghats on Goa’s eastern border, the sanctuary covers 240 sq. km. Originally called Mollem Game Sanctuary, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and renamed Bhagwan Mahavir. The sanctuary includes Mollem National Park and is home to Dudhsagar waterfall, Devil’s Canyon, Tambdi Surla temple, and other historic sites.

Notes:
Countries around Lake Tanganyika launched a five-year project to tackle biodiversity threats. Lake Tanganyika is an ancient lake in East Africa. It borders Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. It is the world’s longest and one of the deepest lakes, stretching over 400 miles. It is located in the Western Rift Valley, steep land rises along its shores. It marks the division between East and West African floral regions, with oil palms on its shores.