Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Supreme Court recently allowed limited use of green crackers approved by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) in Delhi-NCR this Diwali. NEERI is a research institute created and funded by the Government of India. It works in the field of environmental science and engineering to promote sustainable development and pollution control. It functions under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology. Its headquarters is in Nagpur, with five zonal labs in Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.

Notes:
The Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) model in West Bengal’s Sundarbans recently received Global Technical Recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. SAIME is a multi-stakeholder partnership (MSP) to improve shrimp trade while protecting mangrove ecosystems in West Bengal. It is a climate-adaptive and conservation-linked livelihood initiative that combines brackish water shrimp aquaculture with mangrove restoration. The approach is ecosystem-based and sustainable. SAIME is implemented in collaboration with Global Nature Fund (GNF), Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), Naturland, and Bangladesh Environment & Development Society (BEDS).

Notes:
The forest department’s relocation drive at Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Khanapur taluk has faced hurdles as Amagaon villagers set conditions before moving. Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Belgaum district of Karnataka. It is named after Bhimgad Fort, built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the 17th century to guard against Portuguese expansion from Goa. The forest mainly has tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf vegetation.

Notes:
Recently, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) released ₹55 lakh to 18 farmers cultivating Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) under India’s Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework. Red Sanders, also called Red Sandalwood, is a medium-sized tree (10–15 m tall) found in dry deciduous forests. It is a valuable hardwood used for furniture, carvings, instruments, and tools. The species is endemic to the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and also cultivated in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Odisha.

Notes:
A photographer in Spain recently spotted the world’s first-ever white Iberian lynx, a rare sighting. The Iberian lynx is a carnivorous species endemic to Europe. It is one of the world’s most endangered wild cats, recognized by its pointy ears, long legs, and spotted fur. It is nocturnal, mainly hunting rabbits, its primary prey. It is found only in southwest Spain on the Iberian Peninsula, west of the Pyrenees.

Notes:
Recently, a rare Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) was sighted in the Kali Tiger Reserve, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. It belongs to the Hyaenidae family, which includes Striped, Spotted, and Brown hyenas, and the Aardwolf. The Striped Hyena is smaller than the Spotted Hyena and has black stripes across its body. It is found in South Asia, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, Western and Central Asia. It lives in open savannas, grasslands, and scrub woodlands of arid regions. It is mainly a scavenger feeding on carrion and human waste. It is listed as “Near Threatened” by IUCN.

Notes:
In November 2025, a proposed 50-Megawatt (MW) wind farm by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) was reported to potentially affect the Greater Flamingo Sanctuary (GFS). The Greater Flamingo’s range covers Africa, western Asia, and southern Europe. It breeds in shallow, saline, and alkaline wetlands. The Greater Flamingo Sanctuary (GFS) is located in Tamil Nadu, specifically in Dhanushkodi within the Ramanathapuram district. It is part of the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.

Notes:
Researchers recently discovered a new aquatic insect species called Jaechanax kuranganiensis, a type of water-penny beetle. It was found in the fast-flowing Kurangani stream of the Bodi Hills, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. This is the first record of the Jaechanax genus in Tamil Nadu. The genus was earlier known only from three species found in other Asian countries.

Notes:
Arunachal Pradesh recently recorded a major scientific achievement with the discovery of a new plant species named Hoya dawodiensis. It was found in the Vijaynagar region of Changlang district, which is reachable only by air or long trekking routes. Hoya plants are tropical flowering species known for their ecological importance and unique shape. They are also called wax plants or porcelain flowers due to their shiny, wax-like flowers. Hoyas are native to Asia, Australia, and Pacific Islands but also grow well as indoor plants. They need bright indirect light, well-draining soil, and prefer humid conditions.

Notes:
Russia has joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) as its 19th member, strengthening India-led global efforts to protect endangered big cats. International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was launched in April 2023 during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. It is a treaty-based inter-governmental organisation focused on conserving seven big cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma. The alliance aims to facilitate collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, consolidating successful conservation practices and expertise for global big cat protection.