Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Ruellia elegans, also known as the Brazilian petunia, Christmas pride, or wild petunia, is native to Brazil and thrives in tropical wet biomes. Its elegant appearance gives it its name. It is one of the invasive plant species from the Acanthoideae sub-family in India, alongside Ruellia ciliatiflora, Ruellia simplex, and Ruellia tuberosa. It was introduced to the Andaman Islands and has spread to Odisha in India over the past decade. The study highlights the threat this plant poses to native biodiversity.

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The Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP) is located on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka. It aims for a 2000 MW power generation capacity, making it the largest pumped storage project in India. The project will use two existing reservoirs: Talakalale Dam (upper reservoir) and Gerusoppa Dam (lower reservoir). Water will be pumped uphill during off-seasons and released downhill during peak demand. It is modeled after Telangana’s Kaleshwaram project and will also supply drinking water to Bengaluru. Environmentalists and locals warn of ecological damage to the Western Ghats.

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A powerful eruption of Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego has triggered strong explosions, incandescent material, and pyroclastic flows, endangering nearby communities. Volcán de Fuego, meaning “Volcano of Fire,” is one of three large stratovolcanoes near Antigua, Guatemala. Guatemala lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and frequently experiences seismic and volcanic activity. Fuego is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, with eruptions recorded since the 16th century. A deadly eruption in 2018 killed 194 people and left 234 missing. Its eruptions involve explosions, lava flows, and pyroclastic flows, posing severe risks.

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A rare caracal was spotted in Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, exciting wildlife enthusiasts. Caracal is a medium-sized, nocturnal wildcat, also called siya gosh (black ear) in India. Found in rocky hills and grasslands in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, with only around 50 in India, mainly in Rajasthan and Gujarat. They have slender bodies, long legs, and can weigh 8-18 kg. Known for their ability to leap 2 meters to catch birds and run at 80 kph.

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Punjab government informed the Supreme Court (SC) that the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary will remain at 100 meters for Nayagaon municipal committee instead of 1 to 3 km. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Chandigarh, near Sukhna Lake, at the foothills of the Shivalik range. Sukhna Lake was created in 1958 by Le Corbusier by diverting Sukhna Choe, a seasonal stream. Sanctuary covers 2600 hectares, established in 1998, with 150+ water bodies. The area is geologically unstable, prone to soil erosion due to sandy Shivalik soil.

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Climate change is rapidly melting glaciers on Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest mountain. Lewis Glacier, once a major ice mass, has shrunk drastically and may disappear by 2030. The Lewis Glacier is located on Mount Kenya. Mount Kenya is an extinct stratovolcano and Africa’s second-highest mountain after Kilimanjaro. The glacier’s retreat highlights the severe impact of global warming on Africa’s high-altitude ice.

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A new species of damselfly, Euphaea wayanadensis, was discovered in the Wayanad region of Kerala, adding to Kerala’s 191st and the Western Ghats’ 223rd recorded odonate species. The discovery was published in the peer-reviewed journal ENTOMON. Euphaea wayanadensis belongs to the family Euphaeidae. It was first observed in 2013 at the Kalindi River in Thirunelli, Wayanad. Further sightings were made from 2013 to 2019 in Wayanad, and between 2019 and 2023 in Aralam (Kannur) and Coorg (Karnataka). Initially misidentified as Euphaea pseudodispar from Maharashtra, it was later confirmed as a new species through morphological and genetic analysis.

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A rare long-snouted vine snake called Ahaetulla longirostris was recently rediscovered during a rhino release at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh. This is the first sighting in Uttar Pradesh and only the second in India, with the first being in Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar. The snake’s usual habitat is in Southeast Asia, and it was also spotted earlier in parts of Odisha. It belongs to the Colubridae family, mostly made up of non-venomous snakes, and has a long green or brown slender body for camouflage. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve lies on the Indo-Nepal border in Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh, and includes Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, and nearby forest areas.

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The wildlife wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department captured the first photographic evidence of the Woolly Flying Squirrel in Miyar Valley, Lahaul and Spiti district. The Woolly Flying Squirrel, scientifically known as Eupetaurus cinereus, is one of Asia’s rarest mammals and is endemic to the northwestern Himalayas. It was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1994, nearly 70 years later. Its habitat is limited to dry conifer woodlands in northern Pakistan and northwestern India. The squirrel is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

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Devotees in large numbers are taking a holy dip in the Saryu River while visiting the Ram Temple in Ayodhya during Ram Navami. The Saryu River, also called Sarayu or Sarju River, flows through Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. It is an ancient river mentioned in the Vedas and the epic Ramayana. The lower part of the Ghaghara River is commonly known as the Sarayu River. The holy city of Ayodhya, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, is located on the banks of the Sarayu River.