Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Scientists from the ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research have discovered a new species of blossom midge named Contarinia icardiflores. Contarinia icardiflores is a newly identified species belonging to the genus Contarinia, whose members are small insects recognized as serious pests of ornamental and food crops worldwide. The larvae of this species feed inside flower buds or blossoms, often leading to severe yield losses in agricultural and horticultural crops. The species has been named in honour of ICAR-DFR to acknowledge the institute’s significant contributions to floriculture research.

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Around 80 vultures recorded in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, and experts say population is stable despite decline in breeding. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Wayanad district of Kerala in southern Western Ghats. It is also known as Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and was established in 1973. It covers 344 square kilometre and is part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It borders Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai National Park.

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The Assam Government is planning to create a new Reserved Forest adjacent to Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district, Assam, to strengthen conservation efforts. Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, Assam and is part of the Laokhowa–Burhachapori ecosystem. It lies strategically between Kaziranga National Park (east), Orang National Park (west), and Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary (south). The region experiences a sub-tropical monsoon climate, supporting rich biodiversity.

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The Hudsonian godwit population has declined by 95% in the last four decades due to environmental changes. It is a large migratory shorebird belonging to the sandpiper family Scolopacidae. It breeds in sub-Arctic and Boreal wetland habitats like sedge meadows and muskeg. It is found mainly in North America and South America. It feeds on insects and crustaceans in shallow water. It migrates annually from the Arctic to Patagonia for the southern summer. Major threats include habitat loss and climate change. It is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

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The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve is being developed as India’s third cheetah habitat, with the foundation of a soft release enclosure (Boma) laid recently. The reserve was created by combining Nauradehi and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuaries and is located in the Bundelkhand region across Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts, Madhya Pradesh. The initiative will help in the safe adaptation and release of cheetahs, strengthening wildlife conservation in India.

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Rice’s Whale is a baleen whale belonging to the family Balaenopteridae and is closely related to Bryde’s whales. It was recognised as a distinct species in 2021, separate from other Bryde’s whales globally. It is the only whale species found year-round in the Gulf of Mexico. Its diet mainly consists of silver-rag driftfish. Major threats include oil drilling, vessel strikes, noise pollution, oil spills, and climate change. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is classified as Critically Endangered.

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Police rescued 16 Indian Softshell turtles from illegal wildlife trade in Jharcha, Greater Noida, highlighting ongoing trafficking concerns. The Indian softshell turtle is a freshwater turtle species native to South Asia. They are found in rivers, canals, ponds, and freshwater systems. They are distributed across major river basins like Indus, Ganga, and Mahanadi. They occurs in multiple Indian states (e.g., Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal) and also in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.

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A recent study found that the green pill millipede (endemic species of the Western Ghats) shows a lotus effect (self-cleaning property where water removes dirt). Millipedes belong to Class Diplopoda (arthropods with two pairs of legs per segment) under Subphylum Myriapoda (many-legged invertebrates). They are slow-moving, segmented arthropods with cylindrical bodies and multiple legs. They inhabit moist tropical microhabitats like leaf litter, soil, and dead wood, and are found worldwide except Antarctica.

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A security review was conducted at Mansar Lake, a key tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a freshwater lake located in Samba district, about 62 km from Jammu, in the foothills of the Shivalik range. The lake is oval-shaped, surrounded by forests and hills, and is one of the largest lakes in the region. It is mainly fed by rainwater and underground springs. It holds religious significance with the Sheshnag Temple, along with Durga and Umapati Mahadev temples nearby. The lake supports rich biodiversity, including algae, fish, and waterfowl species.

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The rare, thread-legged assassin bug Myiophanes kempi was recently rediscovered in the limestone caves of the Andaman Islands after nearly a century-long gap. British entomologist William Edward China first described the species in 1924 after finding it in the Siju Cave of Meghalaya. It is a member of the Reduviidae family, a group of insects popularly known as assassin bugs due to their predatory nature. The insect is a specialized cave-dweller that spends its entire lifecycle in complete darkness within subterranean ecosystems. It features a slender body and elongated legs that are specifically adapted for navigating and surviving in cave environments.