Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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The Coimbatore District Collector recently granted community forest rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, to three tribal settlements in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR). It is a protected area at 1400 m altitude in the Anamalai Hills, Tamil Nadu, located south of the Palakkad gap. It is surrounded by Parambikulum Tiger Reserve, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulum National Park, and several Kerala forests. Declared a tiger reserve in 2007, it features wet evergreen forests, dry deciduous forests, montane grasslands, and marshy grasslands, supporting diverse habitats.

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Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu unveiled the new logo for the 4th Eaglenest Bird Festival, set for January 17-19, 2025, in West Kameng District. The festival celebrates Arunachal Pradesh’s rich biodiversity and promotes community-led conservation and sustainable eco-tourism. It highlights the state’s commitment to preserving nature and fostering environmental awareness through engaging events and initiatives.

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Researchers discovered a new predatory amphipod species, Dulcibella camanchaca, in the Atacama Trench off northern Chile. The Atacama Trench, located in the eastern South Pacific Ocean, reaches depths over 8,000 meters. Dulcibella camanchaca belongs to the Eusiridae family and represents a new genus. It is larger than similar species, measuring just under 4 cm, with pale coloration for survival in dark environments. DNA barcoding confirmed its distinct genetic lineage. Unlike scavengers, it preys on other amphipods, playing a key role in the deep-sea food web. The genus name is inspired by Don Quixote, and “camanchaca” refers to darkness.

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A male humpback whale swam over 13,046 km from South America to Africa, setting a record for the longest whale migration ever documented. Humpback whales are named for the hump on their backs, with long pectoral fins inspiring their scientific name Megaptera (big-winged). Females are larger than males and have black or grey bodies with white undersides and large knobs on their heads and jaws. They inhabit all oceans and migrate between polar feeding grounds in summer and tropical breeding grounds in winter. They feed using bubble netting, a spiral swimming method. Humpback whales are listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN.

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The National Green Tribunal has issued a notice regarding the critically endangered status of feral horses in Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. This park is the only place in India where feral horses are found. Feral horses are not recognized under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, and are not legally considered wild animals. They prefer grassy river flats, forests, and woodlands, staying within 5–6 km of water sources. Feral horses are not true wild horses; the Takhi is the only true wild horse. Australia has the largest population of feral horses globally.

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The giant frog species Calyptocephallela gayi, also known as the Helmeted Water Toad, is losing habitat in Chile due to climate change and human activities. It is among the largest frogs globally, growing up to 32 cm (13 in) and weighing 1 kg (2.2 lbs). Known as a “living fossil,” it existed alongside dinosaurs. It has a broad head, large mouth, and lives in aquatic environments like lakes, rivers, and ponds, found in Chile’s lowlands up to 500 m elevation. It is listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. It faces threats from habitat destruction, pollution, and environmental decline.

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The Northern giant hornet, nicknamed the “murder hornet,” has been eradicated in the U.S., as confirmed by the Department of Agriculture. It is the largest hornet in the world, growing up to 2 inches long, and inhabits lower altitude forests while avoiding plains and high altitudes. Native to China, Korea, Japan, and India, it is an invasive species threatening insects and pollinators. It can destroy an entire beehive in 90 minutes, feeding the brood to its young and defending the hive as its own. The hornet stings multiple times, delivering venom seven times stronger than a honey bee’s sting, even piercing beekeeper suits. It primarily preys on native insects like butterflies, moths, dragonflies, bees, and wasps, indirectly harming plants dependent on honey bee pollination.

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A recent study in Science Advances refined the timing and duration of Ocean Anoxic Event 1a (OAE 1a) by analyzing rocks and fossils from Mount Ashibetsu, Japan. OAE 1a occurred during the Cretaceous Period (145–66 million years ago), when Earth’s oceans became oxygen-depleted. It was triggered by massive volcanic eruptions releasing CO₂, causing global warming and oxygen depletion in oceans. This led to anoxic marine basins, extinction of marine species, particularly plankton, and the formation of black shales, rich in organic carbon.

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Two red pandas from Rotterdam Zoo, Netherlands, are being brought to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNZP) in Darjeeling for conservation breeding. Red pandas, also called lesser pandas, are shy, solitary, herbivorous, and arboreal animals, using their bushy tails for balance and warmth in winter. They are an indicator species for ecological change and are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. They are found in mountainous forests of Bhutan, China, India (Eastern Himalayas), Myanmar, and Nepal. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNZP) is located in Darjeeling, West Bengal. The park specializes in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions and has successful programs for species like snow leopards, Himalayan wolves, and red pandas.

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The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) organized a Multi-Stakeholder Convention in New Delhi. The event was held in collaboration with the Revitalising Rainfed Agriculture Network (RRAN) and Watershed Support Services & Activities Network (WASSAN). It was established in 2006. The NRAA aims to manage dry land and rainfed agriculture. It has a two-tier structure: a Governing Board chaired by the Union Agriculture Minister and an Executive Committee with technical experts. The NRAA focuses on water conservation, sustainable development of rainfed areas, and improving livelihoods of landless and marginal farmers. It operates under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.