Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, illegal sand mining in the Chambal River region has become a serious issue across states, harming biodiversity and putting officials and journalists at risk. It threatens conservation in the National Chambal Sanctuary, which protects rare species like the Gharial and the Ganges dolphin. The Chambal River originates from Bhadakla Falls near Janapav Hills in Indore district, Madhya Pradesh, at an elevation of 843 metres. It flows about 1,024 kilometres before joining the Yamuna River in Jalaun district, Uttar Pradesh. The river passes through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Major right-bank tributaries include Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati, and Shipra.

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The Blyde Rondavel Flat Gecko was rediscovered in the Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, after being unseen for 34 years. This flat-bodied lizard grows up to 8–9 cm and is adapted to live on cliffs and rocky outcrops, making it hard to spot. It was first discovered in 1991, but no sightings since then led to fears of extinction or doubts about it being a distinct species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) had listed it as “Data Deficient” due to lack of data. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) confirmed its rediscovery during a special expedition to a remote rocky area. This gecko is the fifth lost species rediscovered by the Endangered Wildlife Trust in recent years, after a dune mole, a butterfly, a lizard, and a frog.

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The Uttarakhand Forest Department has set up the state’s first Cycad Garden at Haldwani. The garden covers about 0.75 hectare and showcases 31 cycad species, 17 of which are threatened. It includes 9 species native to India, like Cycas andamanica, Cycas beddomei, and Cycas circinalis. The project is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Cycads are ancient plants from the Mesozoic era and are called “living fossils.” They grow slowly, reproduce less, and are vulnerable to habitat loss. They are ecologically important and fix nitrogen through symbiosis with cyanobacteria in their roots. This garden aims to support research, conservation, and public awareness.

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A new genus and species of eusauropod dinosaur named Jinchuanloong niedu was recently discovered from a fossilized partial skeleton with a nearly complete skull in Gansu province, China. Jinchuanloong niedu is an early member of Eusauropoda, a group of long-necked, herbivorous, four-legged dinosaurs. Its fossil was found in the lower Xinhe Formation near Jinchang city, dating back to the Middle Jurassic period, about 165 million years ago. Sauropods are known for their large size, long necks and tails, four legs, and plant-based diet. They were the largest land animals ever and lived from the Early Jurassic to Late Cretaceous worldwide. After a global warming event in the late Early Jurassic, eusauropods became the only surviving sauropod lineage.

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Two native stingless bee varieties from Nagaland, Etragonula iridipennis and Lepidotrigona arcifera, have been found helpful to farmers recently. Stingless bees are found in India, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. They are smaller in size and usually black, unlike the larger, light brown honeybees with yellow bands. They cannot sting as their stinger is vestigial, meaning it is non-functional. Though they produce less honey overall, each stingless bee makes more honey than a honeybee. Their queens mate with one drone from another colony, and colonies include worker bees and one mated queen. Hive cells are either spiral or randomly arranged in hexagonal shapes. These bees play a major role in pollination and give high-quality medicinal honey. Their discovery in Nagaland highlights their value for sustainable farming and biodiversity.

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Recently, scientists discovered a new frog species named Amolops shillong, or the Shillong Cascade Frog, right inside the city limits of Shillong, Meghalaya. This frog lives in fast-flowing streams hidden within Shillong’s urban forest areas. It belongs to a group of stream frogs that look very similar and are hard to identify. Genetic studies confirmed that Amolops shillong is part of the Amolops indoburmanensis complex and is closely related to Amolops siju, which was found in Siju Cave by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in 2023.

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Recently, the Prime Minister of India celebrated World Environment Day by planting a Sindoor sapling at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. The Sindoor plant, scientifically known as Bixa orellana, is a small tropical shrub famous for its bright red seeds. It is commonly called ‘Annatto’ in English and Sindoor plant in Hindi. It is generally found in tropical regions of Central America. It grows well in most soils, preferring neutral to slightly alkaline types.

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Maharashtra Forest Department has recently partnered with Microsoft and Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA), Pune, to solve socio-ecological issues in Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary. Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest located in the Western Ghats near Pune, Maharashtra. It includes 12 compartments from Paund and Sinhgad ranges in Pune division and 8 compartments from Mangaon range in Roha division of Thane.

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The Maharashtra Forest Department has recently launched a bus safari service at Nandur Madhyameshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Nashik district. The sanctuary is known as the “Bharatpur of Maharashtra,” a title given by famous Indian ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali. It is located in Nashik district, Maharashtra. The new safari aims to boost eco-tourism and create awareness about wetland biodiversity.

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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.