Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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At the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 held in Abu Dhabi, Union Minister of State for Environment launched India’s National Red List Roadmap and Vision 2025–2030. The roadmap is a national initiative to create an integrated Red List assessment system for identifying, classifying, and conserving India’s threatened species. It aligns with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) global standards. The initiative is implemented by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Botanical Survey of India (BSI), in collaboration with IUCN-India and the Centre for Species Survival (CSS), India.

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Recently, the Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals was adopted at the first ARISE Cities Forum 2025 held on October 8–9 in New Delhi. The forum was co-hosted by ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) South Asia and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA). It aimed to strengthen multilevel cooperation and accelerate urban climate action ahead of COP30 under UNFCCC. More than 200 delegates from 60 cities and 25 countries participated, representing governments, private sector, and civil society. It affirms the leadership of cities in achieving the Paris Agreement goals and highlights the Global South’s voice in climate governance.

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A 59-year-old woman was recently killed by a saltwater crocodile in the Kharasrota River in Odisha. Kharasrota River is a tributary of the Brahmani River, a major east-flowing river in Odisha. The river originates from the Eastern Ghats in Keonjhar district. It flows through Jajpur and Kendrapara districts before joining the Brahmani River near the Dhamra estuary, close to the Bay of Bengal. The river passes through the Bhitarkanika region, an ecologically sensitive mangrove area known for saltwater crocodiles. Kharasrota River is a lifeline for irrigation and drinking water in Jajpur and Kendrapara districts.

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Researchers from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation recently discovered a new species of snail named Lagocheilus hayaomiyazakii, also called the Tilari hairy snail. It was found in the evergreen Tilari forest of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. The snail lives in leafy thickets and rocky areas of the Western Ghats. It is named after Hayao Miyazaki, the famous Japanese filmmaker and Studio Ghibli co-founder known for depicting harmony with nature. Its habitat is highly limited and threatened by wildfires and deforestation, making it vulnerable to extinction.

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Recently, the rare fungus Hygrocybe pellucida was seen for the first time in Telangana’s Kawal Tiger Reserve. It belongs to the Hygrophoraceae family and is known for its bright, waxy, and colourful fruiting bodies. These fungi are usually found in grasslands, mossy forest floors, and nutrient-poor habitats. They are commonly called wax cups because of their shiny texture. Hygrocybe pellucida was first identified as a new species in Kerala in 2024. The Hygrocybe genus has around 350 species distributed worldwide. Its discovery marks an important biodiversity record for Telangana.

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Kashmir’s first Chrysanthemum garden has recently been opened for tourists. Chrysanthemum is a genus of about 30 species of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is native to Asia and northeastern Europe and blooms in autumn. The plant grows 50–150 cm tall with deeply lobed leaves and large flowerheads in white, yellow, or pink. It thrives in subtropical and temperate areas with tropical and subtropical climate.

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Recently, environmentalists, wildlife activists, and locals urged the Union Environment Ministry to act against the illegal discharge of toxic leachate into the Aravalli hills. Leachate is a highly toxic liquid formed in municipal landfills. It collects at the bottom of landfills through waste decomposition, water infiltration, and chemical reactions. Its composition depends on waste type, landfill age, rainfall, and temperature. It contains organic pollutants, inorganic compounds, heavy metals, and microbes. Leachate can pollute soil, groundwater, and ecosystems, posing serious health risks. Proper leachate collection and disposal are essential under strict environmental regulations to prevent contamination.

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A rare bird White-cheeked Partridge (Arborophila atrogularis) was recently rescued near Dehing Patkai National Park in Assam. It belongs to the Phasianidae family, which includes pheasants and partridges. It inhabits dense undergrowth of evergreen forests, along with scrub, bamboo, and grassland areas. In India, it is found below 750 meters altitude, and up to 1,220 meters in Southeast Asia. It is found mainly in Northeast India. Its IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) status is Near Threatened.

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A forest department team recently arrested four people for illegally cutting khair trees in Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh. Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh. It stretches along the northern banks of the River Ganga and covers parts of Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor districts. It lies near the ancient town of Hastinapur, known for its cultural and mythological significance.

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Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have recently discovered a new species of slender gecko named Hemiphyllodactylus venkatadri. It was found in the Tirumala hill ranges within the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh. The species is named after the sacred Venkatadri Hills. It belongs to the genus Hemiphyllodactylus and is the second slender gecko species recorded from Andhra Pradesh, after Hemiphyllodactylus arakuensis. The Venkatadri slender gecko is small, growing just over 2 inches long. It has short limbs and distinctive “spurs” at the base of its tail.