Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Madhya Pradesh will establish Nauradehi Sanctuary as the third home for cheetahs, after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. Cheetahs will be brought from Namibia (Africa) and released into Nauradehi to expand conservation efforts. The state is actively working on wildlife conservation, including releasing six crocodiles (four females, two males) into the Indira Sagar Dam on the Narmada River. A gharial conservation campaign is ongoing, and some gharials will be sent to Assam on request. Plans are underway for a new Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, covering 61,407 hectares across Khandwa and Dewas districts.

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A photographer in Spain recently spotted the world’s first-ever white Iberian lynx, a rare sighting. The Iberian lynx is a carnivorous species endemic to Europe. It is one of the world’s most endangered wild cats, recognized by its pointy ears, long legs, and spotted fur. It is nocturnal, mainly hunting rabbits, its primary prey. It is found only in southwest Spain on the Iberian Peninsula, west of the Pyrenees.

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India has extended support to Afghanistan to build a dam on the Kunar River, shared between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The move comes amid tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan over water sharing. The Kunar River, also called the Kama River, is about 480 km long. It flows through eastern Afghanistan and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The river originates in the Hindu Kush mountains, fed by melting glaciers and snow. In Pakistan, it is known as the Chitral River. It is a tributary of the Kabul River, which later joins the Indus River, forming part of the Indus watershed.

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In November 2025, a proposed 50-Megawatt (MW) wind farm by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) was reported to potentially affect the Greater Flamingo Sanctuary (GFS). The Greater Flamingo’s range covers Africa, western Asia, and southern Europe. It breeds in shallow, saline, and alkaline wetlands. The Greater Flamingo Sanctuary (GFS) is located in Tamil Nadu, specifically in Dhanushkodi within the Ramanathapuram district. It is part of the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.

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The Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change recently launched the Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change at COP30. The initiative was first announced at the G20 Leaders Summit 2024 as a multilateral effort among countries and global organisations. It aims to fund research and actions that promote truthful and reliable information on climate issues. A Global Fund for Information Integrity on Climate Change has also been launched. The Declaration states that climate misinformation has become a climate crisis. It defines climate misinformation as false or misleading content about climate change, its causes, impacts, or solutions

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The Supreme Court recently ordered the Jharkhand government to notify the Saranda Forest as a wildlife sanctuary and conservation reserve. The Court also banned all mining activities within a one-kilometre radius of the forest boundary. Saranda, called the “land of seven hundred hills,” is a dense Sal forest in Jharkhand. It lies in the Chhotanagpur bio-geographic zone and connects with forests of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

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Recently, poachers killed two bison in the Chilfi East Range of the Bhoramdev Sanctuary in Kawardha, Chhattisgarh, raising serious concern for wildlife protection. Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary, also called Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary, is located in Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh. It was notified as a sanctuary in 2001. It lies in the Maikal range of the Satpura hills, known for its rich and unique ecosystem. It forms part of the Kanha–Achanakmar Corridor linking Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh with Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh

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A 9-day wildlife census has recently started in the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in Chandigarh near Sukhna Lake at the foothills of the Shivalik range. The sanctuary developed through afforestation for soil conservation around the lake. The region is geographically unstable and faces high soil erosion during rains due to surface runoff. The soil is mainly sandy Shivalik soil with patches of clay.

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No registered breeders or authorised pet shops exist in India for African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus), yet they are widely sold in pet markets. Forest departments confirmed through Right to Information (RTI) replies that no breeder has registered with them. The species is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), requiring special permits and CITES certificates for domestic and international trade. African grey parrot is a medium-sized dusty grey bird, scientifically called Psittacus erithacus, and known as one of the most talented talking/mimicking birds. It has a lifespan of over 50 years and is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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Arunachal Pradesh recently recorded a major scientific achievement with the discovery of a new plant species named Hoya dawodiensis. It was found in the Vijaynagar region of Changlang district, which is reachable only by air or long trekking routes. Hoya plants are tropical flowering species known for their ecological importance and unique shape. They are also called wax plants or porcelain flowers due to their shiny, wax-like flowers. Hoyas are native to Asia, Australia, and Pacific Islands but also grow well as indoor plants. They need bright indirect light, well-draining soil, and prefer humid conditions.