Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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A South African university launched a unique anti-poaching campaign by injecting radioactive isotopes into rhino horns. The initiative is called the Rhisotope Project and is led by the University of the Witwatersrand. It is supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Recently, five rhinos were injected with radioactive isotopes in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. South Africa has lost more than 10,000 rhinos to poaching in the past decade, making the step urgently needed. Radioisotopes are unstable elements that emit radiation to become stable and can be traced. The isotopes are injected through a non-invasive method and are safe for rhinos.

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A new species of rain snake named Smithophis leptofasciatus was recently discovered by researchers from Mizoram University. The species belongs to the Smithophis genus, known for semi-aquatic snakes found in rain-prone areas. The name leptofasciatus means “narrow-banded” in Greek and Latin, describing its unique dorsal markings. It is commonly called the narrow-banded rain snake. It was found in tropical montane forests of Mizoram at elevations between 900–1,200 meters. With this discovery, the total number of known Smithophis species becomes five, all from northeastern India and nearby regions.

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The Indian Carbon Market is set to launch in 2026, with carbon dioxide (CO₂) removal technologies like biochar playing a key role. Biochar is a carbon-rich charcoal made from agricultural residue and organic municipal solid waste. It is produced by heating crop residue at 400°C to 600°C in a kiln without oxygen. Biochar can store carbon in soil for 100-1,000 years, acting as a long-term carbon sink. In agriculture, it improves water retention, restores degraded soils, and reduces nitrous oxide emissions by 30-50%. In industries, modified biochar can capture CO₂ from exhaust gases, though efficiency is lower than conventional methods.

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Recent research discovered a new genus and two new species of freshwater crabs named Kasargodia sheebae and Pilarta vaman in the Western Ghats of Kerala. They belong to the freshwater crab family Gecarcinucidae. Kasargodia sheebae’s genus name is derived from Kasargod, the northernmost district of Kerala. It has a brownish-orange carapace with many black spots and orange claws with black spots. Pilarta vaman is named after Vaman, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, referring to its small size.

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A new study found that native plants Bombax ceiba and Lagerstroemia speciosa are joining invasive species and altering the riverine ecosystem of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in eastern Assam. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam, India. It was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997. The park is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and the Dibru River in the south.

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The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police arrested a 49-year-old contractor in the multi-crore Mithi River desilting fraud. The scam caused losses of over ₹65 crore to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Mithi River is one of the four rivers flowing through Mumbai, Maharashtra. It originates from Vihar Lake overflow and also receives overflow from Powai Lake about 2 km downstream. The river flows 18 km before joining the Arabian Sea at Mahim Creek. It passes through Powai, Saki Naka, Kurla, Kalina, Vakola, Bandra Kurla Complex, Dharavi and Mahim.

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A recent report by the North American Environmental Commission criticised Mexico for failing to protect the endangered vaquita porpoise, with only 10 left. Vaquita is the smallest member of the porpoise family and the most endangered marine mammal in the world. It lives only in the northern part of the Gulf of California, with the smallest range of any whale, dolphin, or porpoise. It is usually found in shallow waters up to 50 metres deep. It is classified as Critically Endangered under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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A year-long study by Tamil Nadu Forest Department found at least eight firefly species glowing with bioluminescence in Anamalai Tiger Reserve. The reserve is located in Anamalai Hills of Pollachi and Coimbatore districts, Tamil Nadu, at 1400 metres altitude, south of Palakkad Gap in Western Ghats. It is surrounded by Parambikulum Tiger Reserve, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulum National Park, and Kerala reserved forests.

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The Supreme Court (SC) recently directed the state of Goa to maintain status quo over the Mhadei-Kotigaon area. SC called for a report from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), an expert body assisting the court on environment issues, on notifying Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining areas as a tiger reserve. The direction followed a petition by Goa Foundation opposing state clearances for commercial projects in the area. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located in North Goa along the Western Ghats, bordering Karnataka and Maharashtra. The Mhadei (Mondovi) River flows through the sanctuary.

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A new species of bent-toed gecko named Cyrtodactylus vanarakshaka has been discovered in central Assam’s montane forests. It belongs to the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis group. The species was found on the forested slopes of Jatinga in Dima Hasao, a unique ecological transition zone of the Barail Hills. It has been named in honour of the Assam Forest Department. The name “vanarakshaka” comes from Sanskrit words “vana” meaning forest and “rakshaka” meaning protector. With this discovery, Assam now has five recorded species of Cyrtodactylus.