Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Chile launched a major conservation drive to save the endangered Darwin’s frog. Darwin’s frog is also known as the Southern Darwin’s frog. It was discovered by Charles Darwin in 1834 in Chile’s southern Chiloé Islands. The frog is tiny, measuring only 3 cm (1.18 inches), and has leaf-like skin. It is a diurnal species, active during the day and sleeping at night. When threatened, it plays dead by lying still on the forest floor or floating in streams. It is found in Chile and Argentina in humid forests and forest streams. The species includes two types: Rhinoderma darwinii (endangered) and Rhinoderma rufum (critically endangered and nearly extinct).

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A tiny animal called the silver-backed chevrotain, or two-tone mouse deer, was rediscovered in a Vietnamese forest after being lost for nearly 30 years. It was captured on camera using trap cameras by scientists from Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC). The chevrotain is a rabbit-sized hoofed mammal with a russet head, silver-grey body, and white rear end. Mouse Deer live in dense tropical forests across South and Southeast Asia like India, Vietnam, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Mouse Deer are mainly herbivores, feeding on fruits, leaves, and soft plants.

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A new species of rain snake named Smithophis leptofasciatus was recently discovered by researchers from Mizoram University. The species belongs to the Smithophis genus, known for semi-aquatic snakes found in rain-prone areas. The name leptofasciatus means “narrow-banded” in Greek and Latin, describing its unique dorsal markings. It is commonly called the narrow-banded rain snake. It was found in tropical montane forests of Mizoram at elevations between 900–1,200 meters. With this discovery, the total number of known Smithophis species becomes five, all from northeastern India and nearby regions.

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Scientists have recently discovered a new plant species, Heptapleurum assamicum, in Assam’s Dima Hasao and West Karbi Anglong districts. It is a lush evergreen shrub from the family Araliaceae, which includes the ornamental umbrella plant. It has narrow lance-shaped leaflets under 1.2 cm wide and purple flowers instead of greenish-yellow. Its population is very small and localised, and it is listed as “Data Deficient” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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Recent research discovered a new genus and two new species of freshwater crabs named Kasargodia sheebae and Pilarta vaman in the Western Ghats of Kerala. They belong to the freshwater crab family Gecarcinucidae. Kasargodia sheebae’s genus name is derived from Kasargod, the northernmost district of Kerala. It has a brownish-orange carapace with many black spots and orange claws with black spots. Pilarta vaman is named after Vaman, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, referring to its small size.

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Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Jharkhand, the last stronghold of Gaur (Bos gaurus) in the state, is witnessing a sharp population decline. It lies on the Chhotanagpur plateau in Jharkhand and is part of Betla National Park. Gaur, also called Indian Bison, is the largest wild cattle species in the Bovidae family. They are native to South and Southeast Asia.

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Recently, a faunal survey at Thettekad Bird Sanctuary, Ernakulam, Kerala, added nine new species to its biodiversity checklist. It is the first bird sanctuary in Kerala, located on the banks of the Periyar River. Also called Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, it was notified in 1983 on the recommendation of Dr. Salim Ali. The sanctuary lies at the foothills of the Western Ghats.

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A recent report by the North American Environmental Commission criticised Mexico for failing to protect the endangered vaquita porpoise, with only 10 left. Vaquita is the smallest member of the porpoise family and the most endangered marine mammal in the world. It lives only in the northern part of the Gulf of California, with the smallest range of any whale, dolphin, or porpoise. It is usually found in shallow waters up to 50 metres deep. It is classified as Critically Endangered under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has established the National Designated Authority (NDA) to implement a carbon emissions trading system in India. . The NDA is a mandatory requirement under Article 6 of the 2015 Paris Agreement, which provides the framework for international carbon trading. The primary purpose of the NDA is to establish and enable a carbon emissions trading regime or carbon market within India. The functions of the NDA include recommending activities for emission reduction unit trading, evaluating and approving projects that reduce carbon emissions, and ensuring alignment with India’s sustainability goals, national priorities, and country-specific criteria.

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Odisha’s Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary received National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) approval in 2025 to become India’s newest tiger reserve. Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Bargarh district, Odisha. It is situated near Hirakud Dam on the Mahanadi River, the longest dam in India and the longest earthen dam in the world. The sanctuary covers an area of nearly 347 sq km. Debrigarh holds historical significance due to freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai.