Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary in Latehar district of Jharkhand was highlighted as India’s first and only wolf sanctuary. It is located in Jharkhand. Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary was declared in 1976 to protect the Indian grey wolf, scientifically known as Canis lupus pallipes. It covers an area of around 63 square kilometers and plays a major role in conserving the endangered wolf species. The sanctuary is also part of the Palamau Tiger Reserve, adding to its ecological importance. Apart from wolves, it is home to other wildlife like spotted deer, wild boar, hyena, and bear, making it a rich biodiversity zone.

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A new carnivorous caterpillar, nicknamed the “Bone Collector,” was recently discovered on the Hawaiian island of Oahu due to its unusual behavior. The “Bone Collector” caterpillar is carnivorous and constructs a protective case using body parts of its prey, like ant heads and fly wings, combined with silk. It is found in a small, isolated mountain forest on Oahu, a habitat threatened by invasive species. The caterpillar’s evolutionary lineage is believed to be at least six million years old, predating the formation of the Hawaiian islands. It feeds on insects caught in spider webs and decorates its silk case with the body parts of its prey.

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The Gujarat High Court recently upheld a demolition drive carried out by state authorities in Ahmedabad’s Chandola Lake area. Chandola Lake, located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is an artificial lake established by Tajn Khan Nari Ali, the wife of a Mughal Sultan. Covering an area of approximately 1,200 hectares, the lake serves as a key water source for nearby industrial and residential areas. It has a circular shape and is divided into two parts, Chota Chandola and Bada Chandola. The Kharicut Canal Scheme, one of Gujarat’s oldest irrigation schemes, was introduced to irrigate 1,200 acres of rice land near the lake. The lake is home to various bird species, including cormorants, painted storks, and spoonbills.

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A recent breakthrough came as an international team of scientists successfully mapped the genome of the Saola using tissue fragments from hunter-collected remains. The Saola, scientifically named Pseudoryx nghetinhensis, is one of the rarest land mammals and is nicknamed the “Asian Unicorn” because of its secretive nature. It was first discovered in 1992 during a joint survey by the Vietnamese Ministry of Forestry and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with only about 50 to 300 individuals estimated as of 2015. The Saola lives in the evergreen forests of the Annamite Mountains along the Vietnam–Laos border, a region rich in biodiversity and rainfall.

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In a recent case of man-animal conflict, four people were injured in a bear attack while collecting tendu leaves in the Kawardha range of Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary. Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kawardha district of Chhattisgarh and is part of the Maikal range in the Satpura hills. It is named after the nearby Bhoramdeo Temple, which is over a thousand years old and called the “Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh.” The sanctuary spans about 352 square kilometres and lies within the Kanha-Achanakmar Corridor connecting two major protected areas. Its landscape includes hilly terrain, dense forests, and many streams. The Fen and Sankari rivers originate here. The forest types include tropical moist and dry deciduous forests with trees like Saaj, Sal, Tendu, and Nilgiri.

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A Rs 1,500-crore project to restore a 44-kilometre stretch of the Adyar River has been stalled since 2023. The Adyar River starts near Chembarambakkam Lake in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of three rivers flowing through Chennai and joins the Bay of Bengal at the Adyar Estuary. The estuary covers about 300 acres and was declared a protected wildlife reserve in 1987. The river is 42.5 kilometres long and supports Chennai’s estuarine ecosystem. The Adyar Creek near its mouth carries tidal water back to the sea. The river drains water from 200 tanks, lakes, streams, and rainwater over an 860 square kilometre area. Unfortunately, much city waste flows into the river, causing pollution.

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Scientists recently studied the offshore breakwater system using geotube technology along the Poonthura coast in Kerala. The study showed that the system led to major positive changes in the coastal landscape behind the breakwater stretch. Geotubes are large, strong fabric tubes filled with sand or dredged material. They are made from high-strength, permeable geotextile, usually polypropylene, which lets water escape while keeping solid particles inside. These tubes are used to build seawalls and barriers that protect coastlines from erosion caused by waves. Geotubes help reduce wave impact and retain sand on beaches, canals, and bays. They can be designed in different sizes and shapes for specific locations.

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Scientists have recently discovered a new extinct species named Mosura fentoni, an early marine predator from the Cambrian period around 506 million years ago. It was found in the Burgess Shale fossil site in British Columbia, Canada, which is known for preserving ancient marine life. Mosura fentoni belongs to the group Radiodonta, which are extinct stem-group arthropods and distant relatives of modern insects, spiders, and crustaceans. Although small in size, ranging from 1.5 to 6 centimetres, it had highly specialised body features. This discovery adds to our understanding of early marine ecosystems and arthropod evolution.

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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.