Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Scientists recently spotted the rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whales (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) for the first time in the wild near Baja California, Mexico. This species is one of 24 beaked whale species, the second most diverse cetacean group after dolphins. It lives in tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It has a robust body, small pointed flippers and two unique ginkgo-shaped teeth on the lower jaw. These whales are the deepest-diving mammals, surfacing only briefly and staying far from coastlines.

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Semeru Volcano on Indonesia’s main island of Java erupted recently, sending ash and gas kilometres into the sky and prompting officials to raise the alert to the highest level. It is located in East Java, Indonesia, and is one of the country’s most active volcanoes. At 3,676 metres (12,060 feet), it is the highest peak on Java and part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. The volcano lies at the southern end of a volcanic massif extending north to the Tengger caldera. Its summit shifts from northwest to southeast, creating complex topography.

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No registered breeders or authorised pet shops exist in India for African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus), yet they are widely sold in pet markets. Forest departments confirmed through Right to Information (RTI) replies that no breeder has registered with them. The species is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), requiring special permits and CITES certificates for domestic and international trade. African grey parrot is a medium-sized dusty grey bird, scientifically called Psittacus erithacus, and known as one of the most talented talking/mimicking birds. It has a lifespan of over 50 years and is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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Tamil Nadu has launched one of India’s largest invasive-species eradication campaigns to completely eliminate Senna spectabilis from all forest divisions by March 2026. Senna spectabilis is a fast-growing yellow-flowering tree from the legume family (Fabaceae), originally planted for ornamentation and shade but now categorised as a highly invasive alien species. The species is native to South and Central America, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, and Venezuela, but has aggressively spread across India. In India, it has heavily invaded forest landscapes in the Nilgiris, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, Anaikatty, and other parts of the Western Ghats, threatening native biodiversity.

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A major four-month wildlife survey has recently begun across the Buxa Tiger Reserve to assess biodiversity and strengthen conservation efforts. The Buxa Tiger Reserve is located in West Bengal, and its northern boundary touches the international border with Bhutan. It acts as an international corridor for elephant migration between India and Bhutan, supporting long-distance wildlife movement.

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Community-led conservation initiatives at Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary have recently succeeded in restoring wild honey bee colonies, leading to improved pollination, healthier forests, and revival of associated wildlife. These efforts highlight the role of local community participation in strengthening ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation within protected areas. Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts of Assam. The sanctuary is renowned as the second protected habitat of the endangered golden langur, supporting a population of over 600 individuals, making it ecologically significant at the national level.

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The Chhattisgarh government has intensified efforts to secure UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site status for Kanger Valley National Park. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has been assigned to conduct a biodiversity survey for submission to UNESCO. Currently, Kanger Valley National Park and the Sirpur archaeological site are on UNESCO’s Tentative List. Kanger Valley National Park is located in Jagdalpur, in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.

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A powerful winter storm rapidly intensified into a bomb cyclone named Winter Storm Ezra across the United States of America (USA). More than 58 million people were under winter storm warnings, with blizzards, strong winds, and power outages. A bomb cyclone forms when atmospheric pressure drops sharply within 24 hours, causing extreme weather. Authorities warned against travel as hazardous conditions continue moving eastward.

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Seven rare galaxy frogs (Melanobatrachus indicus) in Kerala’s Western Ghats have disappeared and are presumed dead after disturbance by wildlife photographers. Photographers overturned logs, trampled vegetation, handled frogs barehanded, and used strong camera flashes. They are endemic to the southern Western Ghats mountain range in India, specifically found in small patches of wet evergreen forests in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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Scientists discovered a new species of reed snake in Mizoram and named it Calamaria mizoramensis after the state. It is a non-venomous snake, meaning it does not produce poison harmful to humans. The species is nocturnal, active mainly at night, and semi-fossorial, meaning it partly lives underground. It inhabits humid, forested hill regions at elevations of 670 to 1,295 metres above sea level, even near human settlements. The snake is small, with a dark brown to blackish body, faint stripes, and a yellow underside.