Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Researchers discovered a new freshwater algae species, Sheathia rosemalayensis, in Rosemala, Kollam district, Kerala. It was named after Rosemala, the place where it was found. Sheathia species are extremely rare in India, with only one previously reported from the Himalayas. Sheathia rosemalayensis is documented only in the southern Western Ghats, a unique geographic region. Other species in the Sheathia genus, like S. assamica, S. indonepalensis, and S. dispersa, have wider distributions across Assam, Nepal, Indonesia, Taiwan, and the Hawaiian Archipelago.

Notes:
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary hosted the first-ever ‘Indian Bison Fest’ to raise awareness about conservation. The sanctuary is located in Bargarh district, Odisha, near the Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River. It has historical significance as freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai used ‘Barapathara’ within the sanctuary as his base during his rebellion against the British. Debrigarh was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985. The event highlighted the ecological importance of the Indian Bison and the need for its protection.

Notes:
Naini Lake in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region has recorded a water level of 4.7 feet, the lowest in five years. The lake has reached its zero level more than 10 times since 2000, compared to only twice in the 1900s. It is a natural freshwater lake, tectonic in origin, and has a crescent shape due to repeated landslides. Naini Lake is the third-largest lake in Uttarakhand by surface area.

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Uttar Pradesh government has announced a dolphin safari in Varanasi to boost conservation and eco-tourism. The safari will be set up between Kaithi and Dhakhwa villages, home to the highest number of dolphins in the region. Dolphin Mitras have been appointed for Ganges River Dolphin conservation. The goals include increasing dolphin populations, protecting their habitat, promoting eco-tourism, and educating people on dolphin conservation.

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A rare snake species, Ahaetulla longirostris (long-snouted vine snake), was discovered in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh. It was found during a rhino shifting operation in the Palia division of the reserve. Previously, this snake was only recorded in Valmiki Tiger Reserve, West Champaran, Bihar. It has a long, slender body with green or brown coloration, helping it blend into trees. Its distinct long nose (rostral) is a key identification feature. It primarily lives on trees and hides among branches. It is mildly venomous, but its poison is not dangerous to humans.

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A new study has decoded how the venom of snake species, Pope’s Pit Viper (Trimeresurus popeiorum) works, helping understand its toxicity and aiding in better antivenom development. This research is key for pharmaceutical progress and supports India’s goal to reduce snakebite deaths by 50% by 2030. The snake is found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Malaysia, especially in northern and northeastern India. It lives in tropical and sub-tropical wet mountain forests, bamboo forests, scrublands, and swamps. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), its status is Least Concern.

Notes:
The rare Pale-chinned Flycatcher (scientific name Cyornis poliogenys) was recently spotted in the Nong Loung forest area of Namsai district, Arunachal Pradesh. It is a small, sparrow-sized insect-eating songbird from the Muscicapidae family, known for its shy nature and love for shady forest interiors. This bird is found in parts of India like the Eastern Ghats, Northeast states, Eastern Himalayas, and West Bengal, as well as in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Southeast Asia. It prefers dense, moist evergreen or semi-evergreen forests with thick undergrowth. Its conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Notes:
India has launched a unique scientific study to detect zoonotic diseases that may pass from birds to humans. The study is titled “Building a surveillance model for detecting zoonotic spillover in increased bird-human interaction settings using the One Health approach.” It will follow the One Health approach, which links the health of humans, animals, and the environment. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is leading the initiative. The study will be carried out in selected bird sanctuaries and wetlands in Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. It aims to monitor human and bird health where their interactions are increasing.

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A new species of land snail named Theobaldius konkanensis was discovered in Maharashtra’s Konkan region by researchers from India and the United Kingdom (UK). The findings were published in the journal Molluscan Research, under the study titled “A new species of cyclophorid land snail from the coastal regions of Maharashtra.” The species is endemic to the northern Western Ghats, a rich but understudied biodiversity hotspot. It lives in tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, staying active from June to September under leaf litter and damp branches. Researchers urge conservation due to its limited habitat range.

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A degraded area called the Polo Ground inside Guindy National Park is being restored to support wildlife, especially blackbucks. Guindy National Park is a rare protected urban area located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is home to spotted deer and blackbucks, which rely on open grasslands to survive. Restoration work includes removing invasives, planting seven native grass species, and adding legume plants to improve soil health.