Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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A powerful eruption of Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego has triggered strong explosions, incandescent material, and pyroclastic flows, endangering nearby communities. Volcán de Fuego, meaning “Volcano of Fire,” is one of three large stratovolcanoes near Antigua, Guatemala. Guatemala lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and frequently experiences seismic and volcanic activity. Fuego is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, with eruptions recorded since the 16th century. A deadly eruption in 2018 killed 194 people and left 234 missing. Its eruptions involve explosions, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows, posing severe risks.

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The Government of India is drafting the National Wildlife Health Policy (NWHP) to strengthen wildlife disease surveillance, research, and diagnostics. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) initiated the program to improve wildlife health and manage zoonotic diseases. NWHP is a key part of the National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-31) and follows the One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health. The National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-31) includes 103 conservation actions, 250 projects, and standard disease surveillance protocols for tiger reserves and protected areas.

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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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The tiger population in Nagarjuna Sagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) increased from 74 in 2023 to 76 in 2024, as per the Annual Report on Status of Tigers, Prey and Other Mammals-2024. It is located in the Nallamala hill ranges, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats in Andhra Pradesh. It is India’s largest tiger reserve, covering 5937 sq. km. It has the largest tiger population in the Eastern Ghat landscape. Named after Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Srisailam Dam. Includes Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (GBM). The Krishna River flows through it for 270 km.

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A thick layer of water hyacinth is covering the Mula river near Holkar Bridge, raising concerns about water quality. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a free-floating aquatic plant from the pickerelweed family. It is native to South America but has spread to all continents except Antarctica. Known as one of the world’s most serious water weeds, it grows rapidly and disrupts ecosystems. It forms dense mats that reduce water quality, alter water flow, and increase sedimentation. It crowds out native species, destroys habitats, and blocks irrigation systems. It is used as a biofertilizer, for making handicrafts, and in phytoremediation to remove toxins from water.

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The Green Credit Programme (GCP) was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) despite concerns from the Law Ministry over its legal validity. Green Credit (GC) is an incentive unit for engaging in environmentally positive activities and can be traded like carbon credits. The Green Credit Programme (GCP) operates under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. It aims to increase forest cover, promote sustainable practices, and reward pro-environmental actions. Individuals, communities, and industries can earn Green Credits by participating in afforestation, water conservation, and sustainable agriculture. These credits can be sold to industries needing to meet environmental obligations like compensatory afforestation.

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Uttar Pradesh government has announced a dolphin safari in Varanasi to boost conservation and eco-tourism. The safari will be set up between Kaithi and Dhakhwa villages, home to the highest number of dolphins in the region. Dolphin Mitras have been appointed for Ganges River Dolphin conservation. The goals include increasing dolphin populations, protecting their habitat, promoting eco-tourism, and educating people on dolphin conservation.

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A new species of damselfly, Euphaea wayanadensis, was discovered in the Wayanad region of Kerala, adding to Kerala’s 191st and the Western Ghats’ 223rd recorded odonate species. The discovery was published in the peer-reviewed journal ENTOMON. Euphaea wayanadensis belongs to the family Euphaeidae. It was first observed in 2013 at the Kalindi River in Thirunelli, Wayanad. Further sightings were made from 2013 to 2019 in Wayanad, and between 2019 and 2023 in Aralam (Kannur) and Coorg (Karnataka). Initially misidentified as Euphaea pseudodispar from Maharashtra, it was later confirmed as a new species through morphological and genetic analysis.

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Dozens of small earthquakes have been shaking Mount Spurr, raising concerns that the 11,000-foot volcano in Alaska, United States, may erupt soon. Mount Spurr is a snow- and ice-covered stratovolcano located about 100 kilometers west of Anchorage in the Cook Inlet region, United States. It lies at the southern edge of a gap in the Alaska Range and is mostly made of andesite rock. The volcano includes a lava dome, a breached stratovolcano, and the Crater Peak vent, a small volcanic cone. It has a 3,000-meter elevation with a 5×6 km caldera, formed after a crater collapse 10,000 years ago creating Chakachamna Lake. The caldera holds an active icefield and many glaciers. Mount Spurr last erupted in 1992, causing major ashfall and disrupting air travel.

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The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has officially signed an agreement with the Government of India to set up its headquarters and secretariat in India. IBCA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2023 during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. It was formally approved by the Union Cabinet in February 2024. IBCA is implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The alliance aims to protect seven major big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah.