Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Ulsoor Lake has recently undergone desilting after more than three decades, but lake conservation activists criticised the decision to remove silt by only 0.6 metres, calling it inadequate. Also known as Halasuru Lake, it is a man-made lake and is considered the oldest and largest lake in Bengaluru. The lake was built in 1648 by Kempe Gowda II and was later renovated in 1862 by Sir Lewin Bentham Bowring. Ulsoor Lake has an irregular shape resembling the map of India and contains seven islands connected by bridges.

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White-bellied heron is a rare bird species found in the wetlands and free-flowing river habitats of the eastern Himalayan foothills in northeast India, Bhutan, and northern Myanmar. The proposal for Arunachal Pradesh’s Kalai-II hydel project has raised concerns because it does not mention the habitat of this critically endangered bird. The white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis), also called the imperial heron, is the second-largest living heron species in the world. The bird mainly feeds on fish in river rapids and is considered an indicator of healthy rivers, fish populations, and good water quality. It is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

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India released its first satellite-tagged Ganges soft-shell turtle in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve on 15 May 2026. The species, scientifically known as Nilssonia gangetica, is a freshwater turtle belonging to the Trionychidae family. It is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The turtle was released into the Brahmaputra River after fitting a satellite transmitter under veterinary supervision. Satellite tagging helps scientists study movement patterns, habitat use, and seasonal behaviour of the species.

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recovered live Red Sand Boa snakes from an illegal wildlife trade operation in Warangal. Scientifically known as Eryx johnii, the Red Sand Boa is a non-venomous snake found in dry regions of the Indian subcontinent. The species is endemic to India, Pakistan, and Iran. It prefers sandy and loose soil habitats and spends most of its time underground. The snake is known for its thick reddish-brown body and “double-headed” appearance due to its tail shape. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is classified as Near Threatened.

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Scientists discovered a new species of burrowing snake named Trachischium lalremsangai near the India–Myanmar border. The species was found in Murlen National Park, located within the Indo–Burma biodiversity hotspot. The snake was named after Dr. Lalremsanga for his major contributions to herpetology in Northeast India. The snake is characterised by smooth iridescent scales, a brown body, a white-speckled underside, and a unique head-scale arrangement. The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of Northeast India and the ecological importance of Mizoram’s forest ecosystems.

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Scientists discovered a new amphibian species named Nyctibatrachus kali in the central Western Ghats of Karnataka. Commonly called the Kali night frog, it belongs to the ancient genus Nyctibatrachus, which is endemic to the Western Ghats. The species inhabits stream ecosystems and humid rainforest leaf litter in the Kali river catchment region near Castlerock. It is considered a cryptic species because it closely resembles the Kumbara night frog and can be identified accurately only through DNA and acoustic analysis.

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The invasive Conocarpus erectus tree continues to be planted in highway projects in Tamil Nadu despite bans in states like Gujarat and Telangana. Conocarpus is native to tropical America and Mexico and was widely planted due to its rapid growth and ability to remain green in hot conditions. Environmentalists warn that the species causes ecological and public health problems. The tree releases large amounts of pollen linked to allergies, asthma, and respiratory illnesses. Its invasive root system damages roads, pipelines, sewage systems, and telecommunication cables.

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Researchers at Catholicate College discovered a new species of green algae named Interfilum shuklaii in the Western Ghats of Kerala. The species is named after Shubhanshu Shukla. It is the first reported discovery of the genus Interfilum from India. The genus has importance in biotechnology, carbon sequestration, biofertilizer development, and future space life-support systems due to its stress tolerance and efficient biomass production.

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The Forest Department of Telangana is set to launch safari tours at Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, Telangana, on the right bank of the Godavari River. It is named after the Kinnerasani River, a perennial river flowing through the sanctuary before joining the Godavari. It is part of the Dandakaranya Forest and lies near the Kinnerasani Dam.

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A recent cyclone in Sumatra, Indonesia, killed about 58 Tapanuli orangutans, nearly 7% of their total population. The Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) is a species of orangutan found only on Sumatra Island. It is one of the three known species of orangutans, along with the Sumatran orangutan and Bornean orangutan. They inhabit tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests south of Lake Toba. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, their conservation status is Critically Endangered.