Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, researchers from Karnataka and Odisha discovered two new species of army ants, Aenictus chittoorensis and Aenictus lankamallensis, in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. Army ants are nomadic ant species that do not build permanent nests and belong to the subfamily Dorylinae. They are highly aggressive predators primarily found in tropical ecosystems. Instead of constructing fixed nests, they form temporary living structures called bivouacs, which are made entirely from the interlinked bodies of worker ants. Army ants are social insects that live in massive colonies and carry out highly coordinated group raids, preying on insects and small animals.

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Chhattisgarh Forest Department started six hornbill restaurants in Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve to support the Malabar Pied Hornbill and promote natural forest growth. Malabar Pied Hornbill, scientifically called Anthracoceros coronatus, belongs to the hornbill family. It is a medium-sized bird with black and white feathers and a large casque on its beak. It lives in evergreen and moist deciduous forests, often near human settlements. It is found in Western Ghats, north-eastern Himalayan foothills, Satpuda Hills, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It is listed as Near Threatened by International Union for Conservation of Nature due to habitat loss.

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Researchers discovered a new Cobra Lily species named Arisaema siahaense in Siaha District of Mizoram, Northeast India. It is an evergreen herb growing up to 1.08 metre (about 3.5 feet) tall. Cobra Lilies are known for spathe shaped like a cobra hood. This species has an exceptionally long spadix appendix up to 21 centimetre with brownish-green hair-like bristles. It grows from a rounded tuber, not creeping rootstock, and has exactly three leaf segments.

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A new groundwater fish species, Gitchak nakana, has been discovered in Assam. It belongs to a newly described genus under the family Cobitidae (loaches). The name comes from the Garo language: “Gitchak” means red, referring to its blood-red colour, and “na-tok” and “kana” mean blind fish. It shows subterranean adaptations like absence of visible eyes, translucent pigmentless body, and extreme miniaturisation. It completely lacks a skull roof, with the brain covered only by skin. It lives in groundwater aquifers, which are difficult to access.

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Assam flagged off its first trial export of 1.2 metric tonnes of Geographical Indication tagged Karbi Anglong Ginger to London, marking a major agricultural milestone. Karbi Anglong district produces this premium ginger variety known for strong aroma, high pungency and medicinal value. It is grown mainly in Singhasan Hills using traditional Jhum shifting cultivation and Tila farming methods. It has Geographical Indication tag, confirming its unique origin and quality. It has high essential oil content, strong earthy flavour and digestive and anti inflammatory benefits. It is widely demanded in culinary, pharmaceutical and processing industries.

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The Western Tragopan has drawn attention due to declining populations in the western Himalayas. It is a rare pheasant species endemic to the Western Himalayas. It is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh and locally called Jujurana meaning “King of Birds.” The bird lives in temperate and subalpine forests with dense undergrowth. It usually occurs at elevations of about 2,400–3,600 metres. Its range includes Uttarakhand, Kashmir, and parts of Pakistan.

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Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India rediscovered the rare plant Henckelia monophylla after about 189 years. The species is endemic to Arunachal Pradesh and belongs to the Gesneriaceae. It was first collected in 1836 by British botanist William Griffith in the Mishmi Hills. It is a perennial herb growing in moist forest habitats. Plants of genus Henckelia usually have upright or slightly trailing stems with simple ovate or lance-shaped leaves.

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Researchers in Silent Valley National Park discovered a freshwater crab species Vela carli showing both male and female traits at the same time. Vela carli is an endemic species found only in the forests and streams of the Central Western Ghats. It belongs to the family Gecarcinucidae, which includes freshwater crabs. The crab showed gynandromorphy, a rare condition where an organism has both male and female characteristics. Its body had male reproductive structures along with female features like gonopores. This phenomenon is extremely rare in crustaceans and has never been reported earlier in the Gecarcinucidae family.

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New research by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Stop Methane Project (SPM) using satellite data from Carbon Mapper found Turkmenistan has 15 of the top 25 methane-emitting oil and gas sites (2025), with 4,400+ methane plumes across 2,489 sites globally. Other major emission hotspots include Iran, Venezuela, Texas (USA) and Sindh (Pakistan), with emission rates ranging 3.7–10.5 tonnes/hour. In India, Ghazipur landfill in Delhi is a major super-emitter, with a peak leak of 400 tonnes/hour (2022) due to anaerobic decomposition of organic waste.

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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.