Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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The Madras High Court recently ordered action against illegal resorts and tourist lodges within the prohibited zone of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR). Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located in the Erode District of Tamil Nadu. It lies at the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The reserve covers an area of over 1,400 square kilometres. It connects with Mudumalai, Bandipur, and Biligiri Ranganatha (BR) Tiger Reserves, forming a large tiger landscape.

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Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) is set to become India’s first fully solar-powered zoo. The zoo will run entirely on renewable energy generated within the park. A 1 MW captive solar plant has been set up to meet BBP’s power needs. Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) is part of Bannerghatta National Park, which spans 731.8 hectares. The park includes an animal rescue centre, butterfly park, safari zone, and the zoo. This initiative marks a first-of-its-kind move towards sustainability in Indian zoos.

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Researchers recently discovered a new plant species named Tetrataenium manilalianum, adding to the biodiversity of the Western Ghats. It belongs to the carrot family (Umbelliferae/Apiaceae). The species was found in Eravikulam National Park, located in Idukki district of Kerala. It was named in honour of Prof. K.S. Manilal, founder president of the Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy. The plant grows in grasslands bordering shola forests at high altitudes. It is the first of its kind identified globally and the 48th species in the carrot family. It bears white flowers, has underground rhizomes, and blooms during the monsoon.

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Foresters at Kali Tiger Reserve in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, recently recorded the rare sighting of a striped hyena, locally known as katte kiruba. Kali Tiger Reserve is located in the biologically rich Western Ghats. The reserve comprises the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park. These two protected areas are contiguous, forming a single continuous habitat. The Kali River flows through the reserve and serves as the main water source for Uttara Kannada district. The reserve is named after the Kali River.

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Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister announced development of a nature trail and angling spot in Kamlang Tiger Reserve to promote tourism and empower local communities. Kamlang Tiger Reserve is located in the southeastern part of Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh. It is part of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hot Spot. The reserve is named after the Kamlang River, which flows into the Brahmaputra River. It is bordered by Namdapha National Park in the south, Lang River in the north, Lati River in the west, and Tawe River in the east.

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Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) adopted Motion 007 on Soil Security Law, the world’s first model legal framework for soil protection. The motion was co-sponsored by Save Soil (Isha Outreach) and the Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies, with support from Aurora, an Australian soil think tank. It marks the first global recognition of soil security as vital for food, water, biodiversity, and climate resilience. IUCN will now form a working group to draft an international convention on soil protection. Sadhguru called it a historic step toward global soil conservation.

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Wildlife experts in Uttarakhand recently warned that Himalayan Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus laniger) are becoming aggressive due to erratic weather disrupting their hibernation. It is a subspecies of the Asian Black Bear, also known as the Asiatic Black Bear or Moon Bear. It is mainly found in the Himalayas across India, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan, and China. It is listed as Vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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The Supreme Court recently ordered the Jharkhand government to notify the Saranda Forest as a wildlife sanctuary and conservation reserve. The Court also banned all mining activities within a one-kilometre radius of the forest boundary. Saranda, called the “land of seven hundred hills,” is a dense Sal forest in Jharkhand. It lies in the Chhotanagpur bio-geographic zone and connects with forests of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

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The first India-born cheetah named Mukhi has recently given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, showing successful cheetah conservation efforts. Kuno National Park is located in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh near the Vindhyan Hills. It was originally established as Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in 1981 and upgraded to National Park in 2018. The park covers 750 square kilometres and is named after the Kuno River, a tributary of the Chambal River.

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No registered breeders or authorised pet shops exist in India for African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus), yet they are widely sold in pet markets. Forest departments confirmed through Right to Information (RTI) replies that no breeder has registered with them. The species is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), requiring special permits and CITES certificates for domestic and international trade. African grey parrot is a medium-sized dusty grey bird, scientifically called Psittacus erithacus, and known as one of the most talented talking/mimicking birds. It has a lifespan of over 50 years and is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.