Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
A flock of rare White Ibis, also known as Black-headed Ibis, was recently sighted in the salt pan regions of Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. The Black-headed Ibis, also called the Oriental White Ibis or Indian White Ibis, belongs to the ibis family Threskiornithidae. It is a wader bird adapted to various aquatic environments. It is found across South and Southeast Asia, from India to Japan. It is listed as “Least Concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Notes:
Recently, researchers discovered four new lichen species in the Western Ghats, adding to India’s biodiversity records. The new species are Parmotrema sahyadricum from Wayanad, Solenopsora rhizomorpha from Eravikulam and Mathikettanshola National Parks, Buelloa ghattensis from Mathikettanshola National Park, and Pyxine janakiae from the same park. These discoveries were published in international scientific journals.

Notes:
Cuban scientists are working to restore Cuba’s Zapata Swamp to save the Cuban gar from extinction. The Cuban gar (Atractosteus tristoechus), also called manjuarí, belongs to the Lepisosteidae family. Gars are an ancient fish family, existing for about 100 million years. It is a tropical freshwater species that can also live in brackish water. The IUCN conservation status of the Cuban gar is Critically Endangered.

Notes:
A new spider species named Dolomedes indicus was discovered in the evergreen rainforests of Western Ghats in Wayanad district, Kerala. It is the first recorded species of the Dolomedes genus, also called raft or fishing spiders, found in India. Unlike house spiders, it is an active semi-aquatic hunter that hunts on water surfaces. It senses vibrations using water surface tension and quickly jumps to catch insects or small fish. It can swim and dive in water.

Notes:
A new study revealed that over 60,000 African penguins died from starvation between 2004 and 2011 due to a collapse in sardine stocks. The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is a flightless species adapted to marine life in southern African waters. They live mostly within 40 km of the shore, using coastal habitats for breeding, resting and moulting. Their distribution mainly covers Namibia and South Africa’s Atlantic coast. The species has an average wild lifespan of 20 years. Global warming is severely damaging their marine and coastal habitats. The IUCN lists the African penguin as Critically Endangered.

Notes:
Migratory birds have begun arriving at the Vellode Bird Sanctuary located at Vadamugam Vellode, about 12 kilometres from Erode district in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and lies on the Central Asian Flyway, a major migratory route. The sanctuary receives rainfall mainly from the Northeast Monsoon between September and December. It acts as a breeding and resting ground for both resident and migratory birds.

Notes:
Forest authorities in Chhattisgarh recently arrested 53 people for attempting to encroach on protected forest land within the Udanti–Sitanadi Tiger Reserve. The Udanti–Sitanadi Tiger Reserve is located in Chhattisgarh and forms a key wildlife conservation zone in central India. The reserve was established by merging two existing protected areas — the Sitanadi and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuaries. The reserve’s drainage network is dominated by the Mahanadi River, which acts as the main river system.

Notes:
A viral video of a Himalayan red fox near Pangong Tso in Ladakh has drawn attention, while wildlife officials warned against human interference. The Himalayan red fox is a subspecies of the red fox with the scientific name Vulpes vulpes montana. It is native to the Himalayan region across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. In India, it is found in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. It lives at high altitudes between 2,500 and 5,000 metres in diverse habitats. Its conservation status under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is Least Concern.

Notes:
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) recently released 15 critically endangered Indian vultures in Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra. Melghat Tiger Reserve is located in Maharashtra on the southern offshoot of the Satpura Range called Gavilgarh Hill. It was the first tiger reserve established in Maharashtra. The name Melghat means the confluence of several valleys reflecting its landscape. It is the catchment area of five Tapti River tributaries: Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga, and Dolar.

Notes:
Forest staff at Anamalai Tiger Reserve will use the Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (MSTrIPES) app for wildlife census. MSTrIPES is a software-based system for monitoring and protecting tiger habitats. It was launched in 2010 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with the Wildlife Institute of India. It supports wildlife protection, monitoring, and management of Protected Areas. The system has a central desktop and online analysis tool, and an Android mobile application. The mobile app records field observations and patrol tracks using Global Positioning System (GPS).