Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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The Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh recently put on hold its order that imposed a user charge on visitors to the Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary in Sirmaur district. Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It lies in the Shivalik range of the Himalayas and was established in 1985. The sanctuary covers an area of 56 square kilometres and surrounds the Churdhar Peak, also known as Choordhar. Churdhar Peak is the highest peak in the outer Himalayas. From the peak, one can view the wild Gangetic plains and Satluj River in the south and Badrinath in the north. A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at the peak gives the sanctuary spiritual importance.

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A rare Arctic seabird, the Sabine’s Gull, was recently spotted at Nalsarovar Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat — its first sighting in India since 2013 in Kerala. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is located in Gujarat. It was declared a sanctuary in 1969 and became a Ramsar Site in 2012 under the Ramsar Convention. It hosts 48 algae and 72 flowering plant species, supporting rich birdlife and biodiversity.

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A new species of planarian worm named Dugesia punensis was recently discovered in Pashan Lake, Pune, Maharashtra. Planarians are aquatic flatworms known for their amazing ability to regenerate lost body parts. This species was found in a wetland within the Western Ghats, which is a biodiversity hotspot. The discovery marks the first time since 1983 that a new planarian species has been identified in India. Dugesia punensis adds to the understanding of India’s freshwater biodiversity and highlights the ecological importance of urban wetlands like Pashan Lake.

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Recently, Ohler’s Spiny Frog was discovered near a waterfall in Vietnam, measuring over 4 inches in length. It is a large and stout frog with a spiny chest, belonging to the Quasipaa or related genera. These frogs are found in fast-flowing rocky streams in evergreen forests. Their habitat includes northern Vietnam, southern China, and the Himalayan foothills. The discovery challenges existing conservation norms due to its unique features and habitat needs. It highlights the rich but fragile biodiversity of Southeast Asia’s forest ecosystems.

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A new species of jumping spider named Spartaeus karigiri was recently discovered by researchers in southern India. It belongs to the Spartaeinae subfamily and was found for the first time in India, previously known only from Southeast Asia and Africa. The spider is named after Karigiri (Elephant Hill) in Devarayanadurga, Karnataka, where it was first seen. It is known for its smart hunting skills and web-invasion tactics by tricking other spiders. These spiders have excellent eyesight and mimic prey to catch food.

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Kannampadi, a tribal settlement in the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala, is getting three new libraries to support tribal students and residents. This marks a new chapter in education and learning opportunities for the local community. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kerala. The region features steep mountains, valleys, and hills with altitudes between 450 to 1272 meters. Vanjur Medu is the highest peak at 1272 meters.

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Scientists recently discovered a new fish species named Pethia dibrugarhensis in the Brahmaputra River at Maijan in Dibrugarh, Assam. It belongs to the Cyprinidae family and is classified as a barb. It lives in moderately fast-flowing river stretches with mud, sand, and stone beds. It coexists with other small native fish species in the region. The fish has an incomplete lateral line. It shows a prominent black blotch on both the dorsal and ventral sides of the caudal peduncle. It lacks humeral marks and barbels, making it distinct from other species.

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Recently, the Karnataka government violated the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Supreme Court orders by approving a proposal to reduce Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary without proper compensation. The National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) failed to ensure that the denotification of 300 sq km of sanctuary land is properly compensated. Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Shimoga District, Karnataka.

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In July 2025, researchers captured the first-ever photos of the elusive Marbled Cat in Kakoi Reserve Forest, Assam. The Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata) is a small wild cat native to South and Southeast Asia. It resembles a miniature clouded leopard but is unrelated to it. In India, it mainly inhabits forests in the Northeastern states. Marbled Cats are solitary, nocturnal, and feed on small animals and birds. It is listed as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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Recently, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered four new species of spider-egg parasitic wasps in West Bengal. These wasps belong to the genus Idris in the family Scelionidae under the order Hymenoptera. The newly identified species are Idris bianor, Idris furvus, Idris hyllus, and Idris longiscapus. They were collected from agroecosystems and semi-natural habitats across West Bengal. Parasitoid wasps like Idris help regulate spider populations and maintain arthropod balance.