Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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A 2-year-old tigress was found dead in Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. Kanha Tiger Reserve, also called Kanha National Park, is the largest national park in Madhya Pradesh. It is located in Mandla and Balaghat districts and lies in the Maikal hills, east of the Satpura range. Established as a national park in 1955, it became a tiger reserve in 1973. The forest in Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” is believed to be inspired by this region. The Gond and Baiga tribes inhabit the area.

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The saffron reedtail damselfly, also known as Indosticta deccanensis, was recently spotted for the first time in Karnataka along the Netravati River. This rare species is endemic to the Western Ghats and is part of the shadow damselfly family (Platystictidae). It has slender bodies with saffron coloration and thrives in pristine, slow-moving forest streams. Previously found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, this discovery extends its known range. Damselflies are predatory, aerial insects found near freshwater habitats, and their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem.

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Asia’s first hyper-realistic life-sized animatronic elephant, Ellie, was unveiled at St. Joseph’s School in Bengaluru on February 11, 2025. The initiative aims to educate children on animal welfare and the suffering of real elephants in captivity.

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Kerala Water Authority confirmed that the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) approved the use of 0.0442 hectares of Anamudi Shola National Park for constructing a weir across the Silandhi River. Anamudi Shola National Park is located in the Western Ghats, Kerala. It is surrounded by Eravikulam National Park, Pampadum Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mathikettan Shola Park. Anamudi, the tallest peak in South India, is within this park.

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Environmentalists have raised concerns over rising pollution in the Souparnika River near Kollur Mookambika Temple. The river flows westward in Karnataka, originating from the Kodachadri Hills in the Western Ghats. It passes through Byndoor taluk and near the Mookambika Temple before reaching the Arabian Sea. The river is linked to Hindu mythology, named after Garuda (“Suparna”), who is believed to have performed penance on its banks.

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The Haryana government plans to develop the Aravali Safari Park across 3,858 hectares in Gurugram and Nuh. It aims to be the world’s largest safari park. The project has faced strong opposition since its announcement. It will conserve wildlife and showcase big cats, amphibians, and herbivores. The park will have 10 zones for different species.

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The European Union (EU) acknowledged India’s concerns over the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM is an EU tariff on carbon-intensive imports to prevent carbon leakage. It aims to put a fair price on carbon emissions from imported goods and promote cleaner production globally. CBAM ensures that imported goods pay a carbon price equal to EU domestic production. It applies to all imports, including online orders and gifts. The mechanism helps the EU meet its climate goals by discouraging carbon-intensive production outside the EU.

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Researchers from western Maharashtra discovered a new endemic frog species named Minervarya ghatiborealis. It was found in Mahabaleshwar, in the north-western Ghats of Sahyadri, Maharashtra. The name comes from ‘Ghati’ (Sanskrit for western) and ‘Borealis’ (Latin for northern), meaning ‘from the north-western Ghats’. It belongs to the Minervarya genus, commonly known as ‘Cricket frogs’. These frogs have parallel lines on their abdomens and nest near standing water or small springs. Their calls resemble nightingales, and the male’s breeding vocalisation is unique within the genus.

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A green sea turtle carcass was found on Marina beach, Chennai. Green sea turtles are the largest hard-shelled sea turtles and are herbivores, feeding mainly on seagrasses and algae. Their diet gives their fat a greenish color, which is the origin of their name. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide, with large populations in Costa Rica and Australia. Green sea turtles migrate long distances and are classified as Endangered by the IUCN.

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Countries around Lake Tanganyika launched a five-year project to tackle biodiversity threats. Lake Tanganyika is an ancient lake in East Africa. It borders Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia. It is the world’s longest and one of the deepest lakes, stretching over 400 miles. It is located in the Western Rift Valley, steep land rises along its shores. It marks the division between East and West African floral regions, with oil palms on its shores.