Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
A Little Bunting bird, never before seen in Rajasthan, was recently spotted in Mount Abu. The Little Bunting (Emberiza pusilla) is a small passerine bird from the bunting family. It breeds in the taiga regions of Europe and northern Eurasia and migrates to northern India, southern China, and parts of Southeast Asia in winter. It measures 12–14 cm in length, with white underparts and dark streaks. It is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh plans to create a cheetah habitat in the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, spanning 2,500 sq. km across Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. It is located in northwestern Madhya Pradesh. It lies in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion along the Chambal River. Declared a sanctuary in 1974, it covers 368 sq. km and is recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). The sanctuary features diverse topography, including hills, plateaus, and the catchment area of the Gandhi Sagar Dam, enhancing its ecological richness.

Notes:
The giant frog species Calyptocephallela gayi, also known as the Helmeted Water Toad, is losing habitat in Chile due to climate change and human activities. It is among the largest frogs globally, growing up to 32 cm (13 in) and weighing 1 kg (2.2 lbs). Known as a “living fossil,” it existed alongside dinosaurs. It has a broad head, large mouth, and lives in aquatic environments like lakes, rivers, and ponds, found in Chile’s lowlands up to 500 m elevation. It is listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN. It faces threats from habitat destruction, pollution, and environmental decline.

Notes:
Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary in Assam has seen a 72% decline in avian species over 27 years. The decline is linked to human activities like fishing, poaching, egg collection, and land-use changes. Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary is a freshwater lake spanning 11.25 sq. km in Assam, located between Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts. The sanctuary experiences a moist tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of 2,000 mm. Its vegetation is dominated by flooded valley grasslands and wetland ecosystems.

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Recent research reveals three geological sites along the Denali Fault were once a single feature, later separated by tectonic activity. The Denali Fault is a significant right-lateral strike-slip fault in western North America, stretching from British Columbia, Canada, to central Alaska, USA. It marks the boundary between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, with the Pacific Plate actively subducting under the North American Plate. This subduction causes significant geological stress and deformation. The Denali Fault was the epicenter of a powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake in 2002, highlighting its seismic activity.

Notes:
A study highlights the growing threat to non-human primates like the lion-tailed macaque due to increased human-wildlife interactions. The lion-tailed macaque, an Old-World monkey, is arboreal, diurnal, and sleeps high in rainforest canopies. It is territorial, with males defining home boundaries through calls, and communicates using 17 vocalizations. It is endemic to the Western Ghats. They are found in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. It is classified as Critically Endangered by IUCN.

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Madhya Pradesh will translocate 15 tigers (12 tigresses and 3 tigers) to Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha after Central Government approval. Tigers will be relocated from Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Pench Tiger Reserves. These tiger reserves are located in Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh leads India in tiger population with 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka (563) and Uttarakhand (560). Ratapani forest was recently notified as MP’s eighth tiger reserve.

Notes:
The Denmark Strait Cataract is an underwater waterfall that defies traditional waterfall characteristics. The Denmark Strait Cataract is the largest waterfall on Earth, located between Iceland and Greenland. It has a vertical drop of 2,000 meters, more than three times the height of Angel Falls. The cataract spans 480 kilometers across the Denmark Strait. Despite its massive size, it remains hidden underwater and cannot be seen from the surface. This invisible waterfall influences global ocean circulation and plays a role in shaping ecosystems.

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Chhattisgarh became the first state in India to link its forest ecosystem with Green GDP. Chhattisgarh has introduced a plan linking forest ecosystem services to Green GDP, highlighting environmental contributions like clean air, water conservation, and biodiversity. The initiative aims to balance economic development with environmental preservation for future generations. Forest services, including climate regulation, soil enrichment, water purification, and carbon absorption, will be integrated into economic planning. With 44% forest cover, Chhattisgarh’s forests support livelihoods, provide forest products, and mitigate climate change. The plan aligns with the ‘Developed India 2047’ vision, emphasizing ecological and economic sustainability. Forest valuation will include CO2 absorption, water provision, biodiversity, and eco-tourism contributions.

Notes:
Tripura recorded the Banded Royal butterfly (Rachana jalindra indra) for the first time in Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a lycaenid butterfly found in South and Southeast Asia, including forests in Northeast India. Three subspecies exist in India: macantia (Southwest India to Goa), tarpina (Andamans), and indra (Orissa to West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Jharkhand). Males have deep purple sheen; females are brownish with white markings. The underwings are pale brown with white bands, giving a “banded” look.