11. The two species of birds- ‘Red Throated Thrush and Plumbeous Water Redstart’ were recently found in which state/UT?
[A] Arunachal Pradesh
[B] Uttarakhand
[C] Ladakh
[D] Lakshadweep
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Ladakh]
Notes:
The Great Backyard Bird count exercise was recently carried out by the Wildlife Conservation and Birds Club of Ladakh. During the exercise, two new bird species namely ‘Red Throated Thrush and Plumbeous Water Redstart’ have been found for the first time in Ladakh Region.
Bird and wildlife experts have counted and recorded a total of 87 different species of birds in Ladakh.
12. Which is the only mangrove forest in the world inhabited by tigers?
[A] Sundarbans Mangrove forest
[B] Florida Mangroves
[C] Bahia Mangroves
[D] Chitwan and Bardia National Park
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sundarbans Mangrove forest]
Notes:
The Sunderbans delta, which is spread over India and Bangladesh, is the only mangrove forest in the world inhabited by tigers.
According to the latest estimation conducted by the West Bengal Forest Department, the count of tigers has increased by 8 in 2019-20 to 96, from 88 in the previous year. The increase was significant as this is the biggest annual jump ever reported from the Sundarbans, which is a world heritage site and a Ramsar site.
13. What is Puntius sanctus, that was seen in news as a recently discovered species?
[A] Spider
[B] Turtle
[C] Fish
[D] Snake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fish]
Notes:
Recently, a new silver fish species has been discovered by the Head of the Zoology Department from a Kollam-based College, Kerala at Velankanni, Tamil Nadu.
The small freshwater fish belongs to the family Cyprinidae and it has been named as ‘Puntius sanctus’. His research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology. The new fish is deposited in Zoological Survey of India. It has also been registered with ZooBank of the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature.
14. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon occurs during which period of the year?
[A] July-August
[B] June-September
[C] September-December
[D] August-November
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [June-September]
Notes:
As per the recent announcement from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon arrived on time over the Kerala coast. The southwest monsoon usually occurs in the period of June-September.
IMD declares the start of the monsoon when 60% of the 14 meteorological stations in Kerala record 2.5mm of more rains for two consecutive days. The other two factors are the westerlies (winds) and the outgoing longwave radiation. IMD also revised the forecast for rains to 102% of long-period average.
15. As per the data from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which Indian state reported the maximum tiger deaths?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
As per the recent data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), as many as 750 tigers have died in the country in the last eight years.
Out of the total mortalities, 369 were due to natural causes and 168 were due to poaching. The state of Madhya Pradesh reported the highest casualties at 173, which is followed by Maharashtra. The data also highlighted that 101 tigers were seized by different authorities across the country between 2012 and 2019. In December 2019, there were 2976 tigers in the country.
16. As per the recent report of the National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), which ocean has seen the greatest decline of ice in the last 41 years?
[A] Arctic Ocean
[B] Antarctic Ocean
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Indian Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Arctic Ocean]
Notes:
The National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has found that the Arctic Ocean has seen the largest decline in the last 41 years due to global warming.
This has led to localised increase in evaporation, air humidity, cloud cover and rainfall. NCPOR noted that this decline in Arctic Sea ice was -13 per cent in July 2019 while it was -4.7 per cent per decade in the last 40 years. The study also noted that if this trend continues, there would be no ice left in the Arctic sea by 2050.
17. Which Indian state conducted Elephant census and announced that it has increased the elephant count to 352?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh has announced that the State has recorded an increase in the population of elephant in its wildlife division.
The elephant census in Uttar Pradesh was conducted in collaboration with the forest officials of Uttarakhand. As per the recent data, the count of elephants reached 352 in the state. The previous operation in the year 2017 recorded only 232 elephants.
18. The algae species Ancylonema nordenskioeldii, is said to be the reason of the recent pink appearance of which mountain range?
[A] Alps
[B] Andes
[C] Alaska
[D] Himalayas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Alps]
Notes:
A mysterious appearance of pink glacial ice was found in the highest mountain range lying across Europs, the Alps.
The species of algae known as Ancylonema nordenskioeldii, that is present in Greenland is said to be the reason for this phenomenon. The ice is said to be melting in the same place. Scientists say that this is a natural phenomenon that occurs during the spring and summer.
19. ‘Golden Birdwing’, that was seen in news recently, belongs to which family of species?
[A] Humming Bird
[B] Butterfly
[C] Spider
[D] Snake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Butterfly]
Notes:
As per the latest issue of a research newsletter on life forms- ‘Bionotes’, a Himalayan butterfly named ‘Golden Birdwing’ is declared the largest butterfly of India.
Until now, another butterfly named the Southern Birdwing holds the record of the country’s largest butterfly for 88 years, after a British military officer and butterfly researcher recorded it in 1932. The female Golden Birdwing has a wingspan of 194 mm, larger than that of the Southern Birdwing.
20. Five state-run oil and natural gas PSUs would make financial contribution to which fund?
[A] Green Energy Fund
[B] International Solar Alliance Corpus Fund
[C] UNFCC Fund
[D] Nirbhaya Fund
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [International Solar Alliance Corpus Fund]
Notes:
Union Minster of Petroleum has stated that Five state run oil and natural gas PSUs will become corporate partners of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
These PSUs would make financials contribution to ISA’s corpus fund. This announcement was made during the 1st World Solar Technology Summit organized by ISA. ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL and GAIL are the 5 PSUs.
