Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Gentoo penguins became first bird species confirmed with H5 avian influenza in an Australian territory. It is closely related to Adélie penguin and Chinstrap penguin. It is found along Antarctic Peninsula, sub-Antarctic islands and Falkland Islands in Southern Hemisphere between 45° and 65° south latitude. It lives near shorelines for easy food access and nesting. It is fastest underwater swimmer among penguins. It is diurnal, social and breeds in colonies. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status is Least Concern.

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The south division of Palamu Tiger Reserve launched ‘Vanjeevi Didi’ in 17 villages to train educated women as reserve ambassadors. The objective of initiative is to prevent forest destruction and illegal wildlife activities by fostering local, women-led conservation efforts. It is located on the Chhotanagpur Plateau in Jharkhand. It is part of Betla National Park. It was among the first nine tiger reserves under Project Tiger.

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Scientists from the ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research have discovered a new species of blossom midge named Contarinia icardiflores. Contarinia icardiflores is a newly identified species belonging to the genus Contarinia, whose members are small insects recognized as serious pests of ornamental and food crops worldwide. The larvae of this species feed inside flower buds or blossoms, often leading to severe yield losses in agricultural and horticultural crops. The species has been named in honour of ICAR-DFR to acknowledge the institute’s significant contributions to floriculture research.

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Around 80 vultures recorded in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, and experts say population is stable despite decline in breeding. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Wayanad district of Kerala in southern Western Ghats. It is also known as Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and was established in 1973. It covers 344 square kilometre and is part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It borders Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai National Park.

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A new groundwater fish species, Gitchak nakana, has been discovered in Assam. It belongs to a newly described genus under the family Cobitidae (loaches). The name comes from the Garo language: “Gitchak” means red, referring to its blood-red colour, and “na-tok” and “kana” mean blind fish. It shows subterranean adaptations like absence of visible eyes, translucent pigmentless body, and extreme miniaturisation. It completely lacks a skull roof, with the brain covered only by skin. It lives in groundwater aquifers, which are difficult to access.

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Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Madhya Pradesh and spans across three districts—Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur. It covers about 1187 square kilometres, making it the largest wildlife sanctuary in the state. The sanctuary lies on a plateau in the Upper Vindhyan Range, providing suitable habitat for wildlife. It functions as an ecological corridor linking Panna Tiger Reserve, Satpura Tiger Reserve, and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. The region belongs to the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic zone, supporting diverse forests and fauna. It is planned to receive cheetahs soon under India’s cheetah reintroduction efforts to expand suitable habitats for the species

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Scientists in West Bengal have discovered a new estuarine fish species named Butis bargabhimae in the Rupnarayan River, a tributary of the Hooghly River near Tamluk, West Bengal. Butis bargabhimae belongs to the butid family, commonly known as gudgeon goby, which usually live in brackish water where rivers meet the sea. The species is unique because it has interorbital scales (scales between the eyes), unlike most related fish which have smooth areas there. It also has additional auxiliary scales across its body, making it structurally distinct. The fish shows clear light and dark bands on its pectoral fins, which are absent in similar species.

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Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve will translocate around 50 wild Asiatic water buffaloes to Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh in phases. The aim is to support species conservation and create a viable population in a new habitat. Kanha Tiger Reserve is located in the Maikal ranges of the Satpura Hills in Madhya Pradesh. It has an active wildlife corridor with Pench Tiger Reserve, ensuring animal movement and genetic diversity. Kanha is also connected to Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh, forming a larger conservation landscape.

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Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (Zoological Survey of India) have discovered a new cockroach species named Neoloboptera peninsularis. The species was found in the Deccan Peninsula region of Pune, Maharashtra, near farmland in Nathachiwadi. It was observed living among palm shrubs and dry leaf litter in its natural habitat. The name “peninsularis” has been given to highlight its origin in Peninsular India. This discovery marks the first use of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) technology in India to identify a cockroach species. It is the third known species of the genus Neoloboptera recorded in India.

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Sloth Bear was recently captured by forest officials near Shivamogga after straying into villages. It is one of the eight bear species globally and is myrmecophagous, feeding mainly on ants and termites. It inhabits dry and moist forests and grasslands with rocks and shrubs for shelter. It is found in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan and is mostly nocturnal.
Important habitats include Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary and Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature, its conservation status is Vulnerable.