Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs
This category comprises 50 random questions from the total 74 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs category published in gktoday from 1 January, 2019 till July 4, 2020.
41. What is Puntius sanctus, that was seen in news as a recently discovered species?
[A] Spider
[B] Turtle
[C] Fish
[D] Snake
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Fish]
Notes:
Recently, a new silver fish species has been discovered by the Head of the Zoology Department from a Kollam-based College, Kerala at Velankanni, Tamil Nadu.
The small freshwater fish belongs to the family Cyprinidae and it has been named as ‘Puntius sanctus’. His research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology. The new fish is deposited in Zoological Survey of India. It has also been registered with ZooBank of the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature.
42. As per the State of India’s Birds report, 15 birds of which state have been flagged among ‘species of concern’?
[A] Tamil Nadu
[B] Kerala
[C] Assam
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kerala]
Notes:
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) recently released the State of India’s Birds report. As per the report, 15 bird species of Kerala have been flagged among ‘species of concern’.
The bird species on the list include Banasura, Ashambu laughingthrushes, White-bellied Sholakili, Broad-tailed grassbird, Nilgiri thrush, Nilgiri pipit and White-rumped vulture among others. The authorities said that the entry of two bird species- Heart-spotted woodpecker and Forest wagtail is more concerning.
43. As per the data from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which Indian state reported the maximum tiger deaths?
[A] Maharashtra
[B] Madhya Pradesh
[C] Uttar Pradesh
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Madhya Pradesh]
Notes:
As per the recent data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), as many as 750 tigers have died in the country in the last eight years.
Out of the total mortalities, 369 were due to natural causes and 168 were due to poaching. The state of Madhya Pradesh reported the highest casualties at 173, which is followed by Maharashtra. The data also highlighted that 101 tigers were seized by different authorities across the country between 2012 and 2019. In December 2019, there were 2976 tigers in the country.
44. Which animal species recorded an increase by nearly 29 per cent, as per a report from the forest department?
[A] Bengal Tiger
[B] Asiatic Lion
[C] One-horned Rhinoceros
[D] Snow Leopard
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Asiatic Lion]
Notes:
As per the recent report from the State Forest department, the population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat’s Gir forest has increased by almost 29 per cent.
The exercise also found that the area inhabited by lions has increased by 36 per cent from 22,000 sq km in 2015 to 30,000 sq km in 2020, which is an increase of 36%. The increase of Asiatic lion population is possible due to the participation of local community. The Environment Ministry said that a land project being undertaken will further help in the conservation of Lions.
45. Government has issued advisory for import and possession of exotic live species under which agreement?
[A] CITES
[B] UNFCCC
[C] CBD
[D] CMS
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [CITES]
Notes:
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments. India is also a signatory to CITES. It seeks to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
The Environment ministry has issued rules for dealing with the import of exotic species and for assessing scale of possession within the country, as per the CITES agreement. Exotic live species are defined as plants and animals that are moved from their original habitat to a new one by human intervention.
46. Which state’s forest division has estimated 2000 Indian gaurs, in its first population estimation exercise?
[A] Kerala
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Karnataka
[D] Himachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Tamil Nadu]
Notes:
The first population estimation exercise of the Indian gaur carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division in recent years.
As per the exercise, that was conducted in February, more than an estimated 2,000 Indian gaurs are present in the entire division. However, majority of animals were in the conflict-prone areas close to human habitations. Among the 2000 gaurs, about 794 gaurs were directly sighted over a one-week period.
47. As per the recent report of the National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), which ocean has seen the greatest decline of ice in the last 41 years?
[A] Arctic Ocean
[B] Antarctic Ocean
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Indian Ocean
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Arctic Ocean]
Notes:
The National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has found that the Arctic Ocean has seen the largest decline in the last 41 years due to global warming.
This has led to localised increase in evaporation, air humidity, cloud cover and rainfall. NCPOR noted that this decline in Arctic Sea ice was -13 per cent in July 2019 while it was -4.7 per cent per decade in the last 40 years. The study also noted that if this trend continues, there would be no ice left in the Arctic sea by 2050.
48. Which type of animal is Stegodon, the fossil of which has been recently found in Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Elephant
[B] Turtle
[C] Giraffe
[D] Lion
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Elephant]
Notes:
The fossil of Stegodon, a variety of the elephant, was recently discovered near Saharanpur in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Stegodon is an extinct type of elephant with unique tusks and molars, that was found at an early age in Asia and Africa. The fossil found is claimed to be five to eight million years old and from the Dhok Pathan formation of Siwalik range. More researches are to be carried out in the vicinity of the place.
49. Which Indian state conducted Elephant census and announced that it has increased the elephant count to 352?
[A] Madhya Pradesh
[B] Uttar Pradesh
[C] Andhra Pradesh
[D] Arunachal Pradesh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Uttar Pradesh]
Notes:
The Forest Department of Uttar Pradesh has announced that the State has recorded an increase in the population of elephant in its wildlife division.
The elephant census in Uttar Pradesh was conducted in collaboration with the forest officials of Uttarakhand. As per the recent data, the count of elephants reached 352 in the state. The previous operation in the year 2017 recorded only 232 elephants.
50. ‘Striped Hairstreak and Elusive Prince’ are the recently discovered species of which creature?
[A] Turtle
[B] Snake
[C] Butterfly
[D] Spider
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Butterfly]
Notes:
Lepidopterists, those who specialises in studying moths and butterflies, have recently discovered two new species of butterflies namely Striped Hairstreak and Elusive Prince in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Striped Hairstreak was first recorded in Japan and the Elusive Prince was discovered in Vietnam. As per the Society for Education and Environmental Development (SEED), the discovery of two new species have increased the number of butterfly species of the country to 1327.
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