Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Recently, Aaranyak, a premier biodiversity conservation organisation, organised an awareness programme at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district, Assam. The programme was conducted under the theme “Conservation and Coexistence” with support from partner organisations. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in eastern Guwahati, Assam and covers an area of 48.81 square kilometers. It comprises the Rajamayong Reserve Forest and Pobitora Reserve Forest. The area was declared a reserved forest in 1971 by the Government of Assam Tourism.

Notes:
Heavy rain continues to batter Jammu, prompting India to forewarn Pakistan about potential flooding in the Tawi River as a humanitarian gesture. The warning comes despite the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) being in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025. Tawi River is a major left-bank tributary of Chenab River, originating from Kailash Kund glacier in Bhaderwah, Doda district, and flowing through Udhampur and Jammu districts into Sialkot, Pakistan. Tawi River divides Jammu city into old town on a hill and new town across the river, providing the main water source. The river is sacred, also called “Surya Putri” in ancient texts.

Notes:
A new orchid, Gastrochilus pechei, was discovered in Vijoynagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Previously, this species was known to bloom only in Myanmar. Gastrochilus is a monopodial orchid genus with 77 species across Asia, having short axillary inflorescence, bright flowers, and two porate pollinia. Gastrochilus pechei flowers in September-October and grows in moist evergreen rainforest near riverbanks. Before this discovery, 22 Gastrochilus species were recorded in India, with 15 in Arunachal Pradesh. The discovery highlights floristic links between Myanmar and Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh is known as the Orchid State of India, hosting approximately 60% of India’s orchid varieties.

Notes:
A study documented 51 species of herpetofauna in Papikonda National Park, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh. The list includes 18 amphibians, 21 lizards, 10 snakes, and 2 turtles. Three species—Minervarya kalinga, Sphaerotheca maskeyi, and Hemidactylus kangerensis—were recorded for the first time in Andhra Pradesh. According to IUCN Red List (2024), 46 species are Least Concern, Hemidactylus kangerensis is Endangered, Lissemys punctata is Vulnerable, and three are unassessed. Papikonda National Park is located in East Godavari and West Godavari Districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Notes:
A Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) was recorded for the first time inside Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR), Rajasthan. The sighting was captured during routine tiger monitoring using camera traps in Ramgarh Range, Bundi. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) previously hosted four small cat species: Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus), Asiatic Wildcat (Felis lybica ornata), and Caracal (Caracal caracal). With the Fishing Cat, the reserve now supports five small cat species, enhancing its carnivore diversity. Fishing Cat is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and prefers wetlands.

Notes:
A 54-kilometre-long elevated road bridge is planned over the Nallamala forests of Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) in Telangana. The bridge aims to protect forests and wildlife while allowing traffic, serving as a potential model project for India. Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in Telangana. Originally part of Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve before Andhra Pradesh-Telangana bifurcation in 2014.

Notes:
A new coffee plant species named Ophiorrhiza echinata was recently discovered in the Western Ghats. It was found in the shola forests at Devikulam, Idukki District, Kerala. The plant grows in the ecotone region between evergreen forests and grasslands at 1,630 metres above sea level. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family and is closely related to Ophiorrhiza mungos, used in cancer treatment and antidote preparations. It may have medicinal potential. The species is very rare, with less than 4 sq. km area of occupancy and only about 35 plants recorded

Notes:
Goa’s State Board for Wildlife recommended that the proposal for iron ore handling at Kalem railway station in Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary be placed before the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary is located in eastern Goa near Mollem village. It lies in the foothills of the Western Ghats. It was earlier called Mollem Game Sanctuary and declared a sanctuary in 1969. Later it was renamed Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary.

Notes:
Researchers recently discovered a new fungus species named Bridgeoporus kanadii in the forests of Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. It has exceptionally large fruiting bodies, some measuring over three meters in radius, strong enough to hold a person’s weight. The species is named after Indian mycologist Kanad Das for his work on Indian macrofungi. The only other known species, Bridgeoporus nobilissimus, found in North America, has fruiting bodies up to 1.5 meters, making B. kanadii nearly twice as large. It grows mainly on dead fir trees and helps in forest regeneration by decomposing dead wood. It is inedible and has no direct economic value.

Notes:
Recently, the Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals was adopted at the first ARISE Cities Forum 2025 held on October 8–9 in New Delhi. The forum was co-hosted by ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) South Asia and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). It aimed to strengthen multilevel cooperation and accelerate urban climate action ahead of COP30 under UNFCCC. More than 200 delegates from 60 cities and 25 countries participated, representing governments, private sector, and civil society. It affirms the leadership of cities in achieving the Paris Agreement goals and highlights the Global South’s voice in climate governance.