Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
A butterfly and moth survey will soon be held at Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Mulugu. It is located in Telangana. Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1952. The Godavari River flows through the sanctuary. A stream named Dayyam Vagu divides the sanctuary into two parts. The terrain includes steep and gentle slopes, giving it rich biodiversity.

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:
India has extended support to Afghanistan to build a dam on the Kunar River, shared between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The move comes amid tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan over water sharing. The Kunar River, also called the Kama River, is about 480 km long. It flows through eastern Afghanistan and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The river originates in the Hindu Kush mountains, fed by melting glaciers and snow. In Pakistan, it is known as the Chitral River. It is a tributary of the Kabul River, which later joins the Indus River, forming part of the Indus watershed.

Notes:
Pampadum Shola National Park in Kerala’s Southern Western Ghats is witnessing a major ecological revival. The park is successfully removing invasive Australian wattle trees and restoring its native grasslands, streams, and species. It is the smallest national park in Kerala. The park forms the southernmost shola–grassland mosaic in the Western Ghats, older than the Himalayas

Notes:
Recently, the Assam State Zoo team reported the first case of albinism in the checkered keelback, also called the Asian water snake. The checkered keelback is a medium-sized non-venomous snake native to Asia. It is widely found across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It lives in freshwater habitats like ponds, marshes, and rice fields. It is listed as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Notes:
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district of Assam is recording an early arrival of migratory birds with winter beginning. Birds are coming from Europe America and the Tibetan region attracting wildlife lovers. Pobitora is located in the eastern region of Guwahati, Assam, and lies near Mayong village known as the Black Magic capital of India. The sanctuary was established in 1998 and covers 48.81 sq km area. It includes Rajamayong Reserve Forest and Pobitora Reserve Forest. The region was once part of the Brahmaputra River floodplains and is known for rich flora and fauna

Notes:
The Patra River flows through Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It was once known for its therapeutic qualities, and Raja Bhoj is said to have been cured of a severe ailment after bathing in it. The river originally functioned as a natural drainage system and carried freshwater into the Upper Lake (Bada Talab). Over time, rapid urbanisation, encroachment, and unregulated waste discharge severely degraded the river. Today, it has become a polluted drain, losing nearly all its ecological and cultural significance. Authorities and environmental experts are now focusing on its revival and restoration.

Notes:
A rare Striated Grassbird was recorded for the first time in Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary, marking a major range extension in Maharashtra. Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. The sanctuary lies between the Markhanda and Pedigundam hills with the Pranhita River along its western side. It is located near the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers.

Notes:
A nest of the Rock Eagle Owl led the Telangana Forest Department to stop quarrying for over one month to protect the species. It is also called the Indian eagle-owl or Bengal eagle-owl. It is a large horned owl found in hilly scrub forests and rocky areas. The bird is brown-grey with a white throat patch and black stripes. It is mainly found in South Asian countries like India, Nepal, and Pakistan. Its status is Least Concern under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Notes:
The Union Environment Ministry reconstituted the Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) with statutory powers under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, as directed by the Supreme Court of India. DRMB replaces the 1995 board and becomes the single authority to give permissions, remove encroachments, and oversee afforestation in the 7,777-hectare Delhi Ridge. The statutory status strengthens enforcement, coordination, and environmental protection for Delhi’s “green lungs”, which face pressure from construction and encroachments.