Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Ruellia elegans, also known as the Brazilian petunia, Christmas pride, or wild petunia, is native to Brazil and thrives in tropical wet biomes. Its elegant appearance gives it its name. It is one of the invasive plant species from the Acanthoideae sub-family in India, alongside Ruellia ciliatiflora, Ruellia simplex, and Ruellia tuberosa. It was introduced to the Andaman Islands and has spread to Odisha in India over the past decade. The study highlights the threat this plant poses to native biodiversity.

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Lantana camara is the most aggressive invasive species in Haryana, affecting 89 sq km of forests and reducing biodiversity. Lantana camara is a perennial shrub from the American tropics, belonging to the Verbenaceae family. It adapts well to climate change, tolerating high temperatures and moisture. It is among the world’s ten worst invasive species and a major concern for India. Introduced as a decorative shrub during British rule, it quickly spread, invading many ecosystems.

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A study highlights that indigenous farming traditions have preserved cassava’s genetic diversity for thousands of years. Cassava, also known as Yuca or Manioc, is a root vegetable grown through stem cuttings. It is a tall semi-woody perennial shrub native to South America, later introduced to Africa and Asia by Portuguese sailors. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava. It is rich in energy and vitamins, offering several health benefits. Under India’s National Policy on Biofuels (2018), cassava is recognized as a raw material for ethanol production.

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A wildfire has burned around 50 hectares of Sajjangarh Sanctuary in Udaipur. The sanctuary is located on the outskirts of Udaipur, Rajasthan, in the Aravalli hills. It spans about 5.19 sq. km and surrounds the Sajjangarh Fort, built in 1874 by Maharana Sajjan Singh. Bari Lake, also called Tiger Lake, lies on its western slope and was built by Maharana Raj Singh. The sanctuary has deciduous and semi-evergreen forests with teak, mango, neem, and bamboo. It is home to panthers, hyenas, sloth bears, sambar deer, and four-horned antelopes.

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Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Uttar Pradesh is set to become a new sanctuary for rhinos from Nepal. PTR is located in Uttar Pradesh. The river Gomti originates from PTR, with other rivers like Sharda, Chuka, and Mala Khannot flowing through it. The reserve features sal forests, tall grasslands, and swamps maintained by periodic flooding. The 22 km-long Sharda Sagar Dam marks its boundary. It has a dry and hot climate, with a mix of dry teak forests and Vindhya Mountain soils.

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Tamulidoba Beel, a major wetland in Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, is drying up, highlighting the need for better habitat management. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, located in eastern Guwahati, Assam, was established in 1998 and spans 48.81 sq km. It consists of the Rajamayong Reserve Forest and Pobitora Reserve Forest. 72% of its area is covered by wet savannah grasses, but water hyacinth poses a threat to waterfowl. It has the highest density of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in India, along with leopards, wild boars, and migratory birds. It was declared a reserved forest in 1971 and is part of the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 program.

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The Government of India is drafting the National Wildlife Health Policy (NWHP) to strengthen wildlife disease surveillance, research, and diagnostics. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) initiated the program to improve wildlife health and manage zoonotic diseases. NWHP is a key part of the National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-31) and follows the One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health. The National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-31) includes 103 conservation actions, 250 projects, and standard disease surveillance protocols for tiger reserves and protected areas.

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A new species of snakehead fish, Channa nachi, was discovered in Meghalaya. It was found in a shallow, slow-flowing stream near Chokpot village, which is part of the Simsang River system. The habitat consists of sand, leaf litter, and pebbles, making it ideal for lesser-known aquatic species. The stream also hosts other freshwater fish like Schistura reticulofasciata, Dario kajal, Pseudolaguvia sp., and Barilius bendelisis. Channa nachi stands out due to its unique appearance and distinct characteristics.

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Bangladesh welcomed China’s participation in the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project. The Teesta River is a transboundary river flowing through India and Bangladesh, serving as a vital water resource. It originates from Tso Lhamo Lake at 5,280 meters in North Sikkim, India. Other sources include Pahunri Glacier, Khangse Glacier, and Chho Lhamo Lake. The river flows southward through Sikkim, West Bengal, and Bangladesh, where it joins the Brahmaputra River (Jamuna River in Bangladesh). Historically, it was a major tributary of the Ganges River.

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Indonesia’s Mount Marapi, an active volcano in western Sumatra, recently erupted, sending ash 1.5 km (4,900 ft) into the sky. It is a stratovolcano, made of hardened lava, ash, and rocks from earlier eruptions. Marapi lies within the Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone around the Pacific Ocean. Standing at 2,891 meters (9,485 feet), it is the tallest volcano in the Padang Highlands. Its summit has the Bancah Caldera, with overlapping craters. A deadly lahar in 1979 killed 60 people. It is often confused with Mount Merapi, a different volcano in Java.