Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
A unique orchid species, Gastrodia indica, was recently discovered in Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary, Sikkim. It is the first orchid from India that never opens its flower and the first cleistogamous species of the Gastrodia genus found in India. Gastrodia indica is holomycotrophic, relying entirely on fungi for sustenance as it lacks chlorophyll. Found at 1,950–2,100 meters, it thrives in dense, rotten leaf litter near specific trees like Magnolia and Acer. The discovery brings the total number of Gastrodia species in India to 10, but the species faces threats due to its limited population and specific habitat needs.

Notes:
Two young lives were lost in the Bhima River in Ganagapur, Kalaburagi district. The Bhima River, also called Chandrabagha, is the largest tributary of the Krishna River. It originates near Bhimashankar Temple in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats and flows southeast through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana. The river merges into the Krishna River in Raichur district, Karnataka, and spans 861 km. The Bhima River’s basin covers 48,631 sq. km, with 75% in Maharashtra.
The river’s water level varies with the monsoon, flooding in August and nearly stagnant in March and April. Major tributaries include the Indrayani, Mula, Mutha, and Pavana Rivers.

Notes:
Mettukurinji, or Topli karvy, is a plant endemic to the Western Ghats and belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It flowers every seven years, similar to Neelakurinji, which blooms every 12 years. India has the highest diversity of Strobilanthes, with over 160 species, 72 of which are endemic to the Sahyadris. Mettukurinji’s flowers, in shades of purple, lavender, and blue, are a tourist attraction. The plant faces threats from monocarpy, landslides, floods, and visitor disturbance, leading to its decline. Neelakurinji is listed as a ‘threatened’ species by the IUCN.

Notes:
The Ministry of Information Broadcasting launched 25 challenges under the ‘Create in India Challenge—Season 1’ for the World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in New Delhi. WAVES is a platform for collaboration, innovation, and discussions in the Media and Entertainment (M&E) industry. Its goals include boosting India’s creator economy, making India an attractive investment destination, and adapting to new industry trends. This initiative aims to enhance India’s global presence in the M&E industry. It promotes cross-cultural exchanges and aims to develop a skilled workforce.

Notes:
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered two new spider species, named Mimetus spinatus and Mimetus parvulus, in the southern Western Ghats. These spiders were found in Karnataka’s Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary and Kerala’s Ernakulam district. Both belong to the Mimetidae family, known as pirate or cannibal spiders for their behavior of mimicking prey or mates to attack other spiders. Mimetus spinatus has a medium size, pale yellow head, and green mottled abdomen. Mimetus parvulus has a creamy-rose head with grey-black spots and a triangular grey-white abdomen. These discoveries mark the first Mimetus species in India after 118 years.

Notes:
Four monkeys were recently found dead in Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur, Kerala, causing concern. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the western slopes of the Western Ghats and is Kerala’s northernmost sanctuary. It is connected to Wayanad-Brahmagiri, northern slopes of Wayanad, Karnataka’s Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, and Coorg forests. The Cheenkannipuzha River is the main drainage system in the south; other rivers include Narikkadavu thodu, Kurukkathodu, and Meenumuttithodu. Vegetation includes tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, and hilltop evergreen forests.
It’s the only protected area with West Coast Tropical Evergreen forest of Dipterocarpus-Mesua-Palaquium type. Katti Betta is the highest peak in the sanctuary.

Notes:
For the first time in history, snow has completely vanished from Om Parvat in Uttarakhand, raising concerns among environmentalists. This change is mainly due to reduced rainfall and irregular snowfall in the upper Himalayas over the past five years. Increased vehicular pollution and global warming have worsened the snow loss. The loss of snow could impact the tourism industry in the region. Om Parvat, located at about 14,000 feet in the Vyas Valley, was known for its snow-capped peak resembling the Hindu symbol “Om.” The disappearance of snow highlights the broader effects of climate change on the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, affecting glacier melt, snowfall, and water resources.

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The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) advised citizens to stay indoors due to heavy rains causing the Musi River to rise. The Musi River flows through Telangana and is a tributary of the Krishna River. The river was historically known as the Muchukunda River. Hyderabad is situated on its banks, with the river dividing the old and new parts of the city. The Musi River originates in the Anantagiri Hills near Vicarabad, covering about 240 km before joining the Krishna River. Two dams, Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar, are constructed over the Musi River.

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WWF-India launched the “Vulture Count 2024” project from September 7 to October 6, 2024. This initiative aligns with International Vulture Awareness Day. The project aims to count and assess the vulture population in India. It focuses particularly on critically endangered vulture species. The project also seeks to raise public awareness about the importance of vultures in ecosystems.

Notes:
Residents near the Madeira River in the Amazon face severe challenges due to historically low water levels amid a severe drought. The Madeira River is a major tributary of the Amazon River, formed by the Mamoré and Beni rivers in Bolivia, flowing northward. It forms a 100 km border between Bolivia and Brazil and is part of the 1.3 million square kilometer Madeira Basin. The basin spans Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, with 50% in Bolivia, 40% in Brazil, and 10% in Peru. The river plays a vital role in the Amazon Basin’s hydrology, supporting diverse ecosystems.