21. As per the State of India’s Birds report, 15 birds of which state have been flagged among ‘species of concern’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Assam
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) recently released the State of India’s Birds report. As per the report, 15 bird species of Kerala have been flagged among ‘species of concern’.
The bird species on the list include Banasura, Ashambu laughingthrushes, White-bellied Sholakili, Broad-tailed grassbird, Nilgiri thrush, Nilgiri pipit and White-rumped vulture among others. The authorities said that the entry of two bird species- Heart-spotted woodpecker and Forest wagtail is more concerning.
22. 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.
23. Which state’s forest division has estimated 2000 Indian gaurs, in its first population estimation exercise?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The first population estimation exercise of the Indian gaur carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division in recent years.
As per the exercise, that was conducted in February, more than an estimated 2,000 Indian gaurs are present in the entire division. However, majority of animals were in the conflict-prone areas close to human habitations. Among the 2000 gaurs, about 794 gaurs were directly sighted over a one-week period.
24. As per the National Institute for Space Research (INPE), which forest witnessed deforestation of 829 sq km in May 2020?
[A] Amazon Rainforest
[B] Congo Rainforest
[C] Daintree Rainforest
[D] Southeast Asian Rainforest
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Amazon Rainforest ]
Notes:
Research institute of Brazil, the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has announced that the Amazon rainforest witnessed deforestation of 829 sq km in May 2020.
This is the highest monthly level of deforestation observed in the forest since 2015. The institute also announced that deforestation increased by 91 sq km compared to the same period last year. The Prime Minister of Brazil is advocating for farming and mining in protected areas to improve economy.
25. Which type of animal is Stegodon, the fossil of which has been recently found in Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Elephant
[B] Turtle
[C] Giraffe
[D] Lion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Elephant]
Notes:
The fossil of Stegodon, a variety of the elephant, was recently discovered near Saharanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Stegodon is an extinct type of elephant with unique tusks and molars, that was found at an early age in Asia and Africa. The fossil found is claimed to be five to eight million years old and from the Dhok Pathan formation of Siwalik range. More researches are to be carried out in the vicinity of the place.
26. As per a recent study, the 68 million-year-old egg found nine years ago, might belong to which species?
[A] Mosasaur
[B] Hainosaurus
[C] Tylosaurus
[D] Prognathodon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mosasaur]
Notes:
As per a new study published in the journal Nature, the 68 million-year-old egg found nine years ago, might belong to Mosasaur.
The fossilised egg is the second-largest to be discovered in the world. It is also the largest soft-shelled egg to be found in Antarctica. Mosasaurs are an extinct species of large marine reptiles which lived in the dinosaur era in Antarctica.
27. ‘Striped Hairstreak and Elusive Prince’ are the recently discovered species of which creature?
[A] Turtle
[B] Snake
[C] Butterfly
[D] Spider
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Butterfly]
Notes:
Lepidopterists, those who specialises in studying moths and butterflies, have recently discovered two new species of butterflies namely Striped Hairstreak and Elusive Prince in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Striped Hairstreak was first recorded in Japan and the Elusive Prince was discovered in Vietnam. As per the Society for Education and Environmental Development (SEED), the discovery of two new species have increased the number of butterfly species of the country to 1327.
28. Which country has the world’s largest elephant population?
[A] Botswana
[B] Zimbabwe
[C] Thailand
[D] Namibia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Botswana]
Notes:
Botswana, the landlocked country in South Africa has the largest elephant population in the world, around an estimate of 1,30,000.
The country was recently in news, more than 300 elephants have died mysteriously in the famous Okavango Delta of Botswana. As per the head of the wildlife department, the reason of deaths was not poaching, as their tusks were not damaged.
29. Which state has the highest count of inbred tigers in the country, as per the National Centre for Biological Sciences?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Rajasthan
[C] West Bengal
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Rajasthan]
Notes:
As per the recent research report of National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Rajasthan has the highest count of inbred tigers in the country.
Inbreeding refers to the process of producing offspring from breeding of individuals or genetically related organisms. Tigers have dispersed from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve to Sarika Tiger Reserve in Alwar and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota, and NCBS explained that these tigers are related.
30. Which organisation estimated that the average global temperatures would rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius, in next five years?
[A] Food and Agricultural Organisation
[B] World Meteorological Organization
[C] International Maritime Organisation
[D] International Atomic Energy Agency
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [World Meteorological Organization]
Notes:
As per the recent release from the United Nations’ weather agency, the World Meteorological Organization, the average global temperatures would rise by 1.5 degrees Celsius, in the coming 5 years.
This rise is above the pre-industrial average of the global temperature. As per the research of various scientists, due to man-made greenhouse emissions, the average temperatures around the world is already above 1 degree Celsius, than that during 1850-1900.
