Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Researchers have recorded Lutjanus arakan, a rare species of snapper fish, in Indian waters for the first time at Gopalpur-on-Sea in the Ganjam district of Odisha. Lutjanus arakan belongs to the Lutjanidae family, a group of marine fishes commonly known as snappers that are mainly found in tropical and subtropical coastal waters. Snapper fishes are ecologically important because they act as mid-level predators in reef and coastal ecosystems, helping maintain marine ecological balance. The species was earlier recorded only along the coast of Bangladesh, making this discovery significant for Indian marine biodiversity and fish taxonomy studies.

Notes:
Cyrtodactylus varadgirii, a ground-dwelling gecko species endemic to India, was recently spotted in the Aarey forest of Mumbai. Commonly called Giri’s Geckoella, it belongs to the Gekkonidae family and was first identified in 2016. The species is nocturnal, insectivorous, and terrestrial, mainly inhabiting dense leaf litter on forest floors. It is endemic to India and distributed across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Unlike many related geckos, it can survive in human-modified landscapes and urban forests.

Notes:
A rare sighting of the Red-necked Falcon was recently recorded in Kawal Tiger Reserve. Scientifically known as Falco chicquera, it is a medium-sized bird of prey found in India and parts of Africa. The species is recognised by its reddish-brown crown and neck, bluish-grey upperparts, and agile flight. It inhabits open woodlands, dry deciduous forests, scrublands, and agricultural landscapes. The falcon is known for hunting in pairs, especially during dawn and dusk. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is classified as Near Threatened.

Notes:
The rare Kashmir Flycatcher was recently spotted in the wetlands of Chemmattamavayal wetlands, Kerala. It is a small passerine bird belonging to the Muscicapidae flycatcher family. The species is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and mainly breeds in the Kashmir region of the northwest Himalayas. It is a migratory bird that winters in the high-altitude Nilgiris of the Western Ghats and also in Sri Lanka. Due to habitat loss and declining population, the species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The sighting highlights the ecological importance of Kerala’s wetlands for migratory birds.

Notes:
Scientists from the Charles Darwin Foundation discovered a tiny blue octopus species named Microeledone galapagensis. The species was first identified during a deep-sea expedition near the Galapagos Islands in 2015. The octopus is about the size of a golf ball and is notable for its unusual blue coloration. It inhabits deep-sea environments around the Galapagos region.

Notes:
The Kshipra river system in Madhya Pradesh is facing a major crisis due to the drying up of its tributaries and declining perennial flow. The Kshipra, also known as the Shipra River, is an important tributary of the Chambal River. It originates from the Vindhya Range near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and flows across the Malwa Plateau before joining the Chambal River. Major tributaries of the Kshipra River are the Khan and Gambhir rivers. The river is considered sacred in Hinduism and is regarded as holy as the Ganga River.

Notes:
The Eastern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought responses regarding alleged unauthorized tree felling in Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary and its Eco-Sensitive Zone. The issue is linked to the New Bongaigaon–Goalpara Town–Kamakhya railway track doubling project. Deepar Beel is a Ramsar Wetland and a notified wildlife sanctuary located near Guwahati in Assam. It serves as a critical elephant corridor and an important biodiversity hotspot. The wetland acts as a natural flood buffer for Guwahati during the monsoon and supports local livelihoods and hydrological stability.

Notes:
Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered two new species of hoverflies: Eristalinus sapphirinus and Eristalinus brunettii. The species were discovered in the Gangetic Plains of West Bengal. Eristalinus sapphirinus is named after its distinctive sapphire-blue metallic coloration. Eristalinus brunettii is named in honor of entomologist Enrico Adelelmo Brunetti. The discovery increases the known diversity of the Eristalinus genus in India.

Notes:
A recent cyclone in Sumatra, Indonesia, killed about 58 Tapanuli orangutans, nearly 7% of their total population. The Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) is a species of orangutan found only on Sumatra Island. It is one of the three known species of orangutans, along with the Sumatran orangutan and Bornean orangutan. They inhabit tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests south of Lake Toba. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, their conservation status is Critically Endangered.

Notes:
Researchers recently raised concerns over the declining otter population in the Thamirabarani River due to increasing destruction of natural habitats. The Thamirabarani River, also known as the Tamraparni or Porunai River, is a rare perennial river flowing entirely through Tamil Nadu. The name “Thamirabarani” comes from the Tamil words “Thamiram” (copper) and “Barani” (vessel), referring to the copper-like colour of its waters. In Sangam literature, the river is referred to by its classical name “Porunai.” The river originates from the Agastyarkoodam peak in the Western Ghats.