Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The first Ganges River Dolphin was tagged today in Assam, marking a historic step in wildlife conservation. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change with execution by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Assam Forest Department, and Aaranyak. Lightweight tags compatible with Argos satellite systems minimize interference with dolphin movement. The project is funded by the National CAMPA Authority under Project Dolphin. Ganges River Dolphin found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. It is listed as Endangered by IUCN, Appendix I under CITES, and Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
A study highlights the growing threat to non-human primates like the lion-tailed macaque due to increased human-wildlife interactions. The lion-tailed macaque, an Old-World monkey, is arboreal, diurnal, and sleeps high in rainforest canopies. It is territorial, with males defining home boundaries through calls, and communicates using 17 vocalizations. It is endemic to the Western Ghats. They are found in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is classified as Critically Endangered by IUCN.

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Archaeologists urged the Tamil Nadu government to halt tungsten mining in Arittapatti due to its rich archaeological and ecological significance. Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss proposed declaring the 5,000-acre area a ‘protected biodiversity zone.’ Arittapatti, in Madurai, is Tamil Nadu’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site. It hosts Indian pangolins, slender lorises, pythons, and 250 bird species, including raptors like the Laggar Falcon, Shaheen Falcon, and Bonelli’s Eagle. The village holds historical treasures, including 2,200-year-old megalithic structures, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, Jain beds, and rock-cut temples.

Notes:
A fire recently broke out outside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai, raising concerns. Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), formerly Borivali National Park, is located in Mumbai’s northern region, Maharashtra. It lies partly in Thane District and Mumbai Suburban District, making it one of the largest urban parks in India. The park is home to dense forests, diverse birdlife, butterflies, and a small tiger population. The Kanheri Caves, carved from basalt rock, served as a significant Buddhist learning center between the 9th and 1st centuries BCE. The park also features Tulsi and Vihar Lakes, a deer park, lion safari, and Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi.

Notes:
The Denmark Strait Cataract is an underwater waterfall that defies traditional waterfall characteristics. The Denmark Strait Cataract is the largest waterfall on Earth, located between Iceland and Greenland. It has a vertical drop of 2,000 meters, more than three times the height of Angel Falls. The cataract spans 480 kilometers across the Denmark Strait. Despite its massive size, it remains hidden underwater and cannot be seen from the surface. This invisible waterfall influences global ocean circulation and plays a role in shaping ecosystems.

Notes:
Scientists discovered that the dark markings on the Brazilian Velvet Ant absorb nearly all visible light, reflecting less than 1%. Velvet ants, a group of parasitic wasps, are known for bright coloration and a powerful sting. They are wingless, with distinct black and white markings, and are mainly found in Brazil’s Caatinga shrub desert. Velvet ants are highly mobile, covering long distances to find hosts, and are most active in early morning and late afternoon. The ultra-black pigmentation helps them absorb light and enhances their unique appearance in the animal kingdom.

Notes:
Zoological Survey of India scientists recently discovered a new pangolin species, the Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica), in Arunachal Pradesh. This species is genetically distinct from the Chinese (Manis pentadactyla) and Indian (Manis crassicaudata) pangolins. Genetic analysis shows an 8% difference from the Chinese pangolin, with divergence around 3.4 million years ago. The species is found in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and possibly Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar, at altitudes between 180-1830 meters. It has dark brown and olive-brown scales with a pinkish face, typical of Asian pangolins.

Notes:
Australopithecus had a plant-based diet, as shown by isotope data from 3.5-million-year-old fossils in South Africa. Australopithecus, an extinct genus of primates, lived between 4.4 million and 1.4 million years ago during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs. Fossils were found in eastern, north-central, and southern Africa; the name means “southern ape.” The famous “Lucy” fossil from Ethiopia dates to 3.2 million years ago. They combined human-like traits (upright walking, small canines) with ape-like features (flat nose, small brain, strong arms).

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Kashmir’s iconic Chinar trees (Platanus orientalis) have been geo-tagged and equipped with QR codes for digital protection. The trees reach up to 30 meters and take 30 to 50 years to mature, with vibrant seasonal leaf colors. The oldest Chinar, around 700 years old, was planted by Sufi Saint Syed Qasim Shah in Budgam. Its unique leaves change colors with the seasons and have various uses, including medicine, interior furniture, and dyeing. The project, led by the J&K Forest Research Institute, aims to track changes and address risk factors in the tree’s growth and health.