Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Researchers from Northeast India have described two new freshwater fish species from Nagaland. The species are named Glyptothorax sentimereni and Oreichthys elianae. They were discovered during ichthyological surveys in tributaries of the Brahmaputra River in Mokokchung district, Nagaland. Glyptothorax sentimereni was found in rocky stretches of the Dikhu River and belongs to torrent-dwelling catfishes. Oreichthys elianae was found in a tributary of the Tsurang River.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu Government sealed 42 illegal resorts in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) to protect its eco-sensitive zone. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, acting as a vital corridor between the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats. It is contiguous with Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and BRT Tiger Reserve, and forms part of the Brahmagiri-Nilgiri-Eastern Ghats Elephant Reserve with a large Asian elephant population.

Notes:
National Biodiversity Authority launched a short-term internship programme (up to 3 months) for graduate and postgraduate students. NBA is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, established in 2003. Its headquarters is in Chennai. It performs facilitative, regulatory, and advisory roles for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. It ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits from biological resources.

Notes:
At the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, about 40 new species were added to the protected list category. The convention, also known as the Bonn Convention, is an environmental treaty under the United Nations Environment Programme. It provides a global framework for conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. The convention was signed in Bonn, Germany on 23 June 1979.

Notes:
Snowy Owl has been granted international protection under the U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. It is a large white owl of the true owl family, mainly inhabiting Arctic tundra regions. It is found across Arctic areas of North America and Eurasia, and also in open habitats like grasslands and coastal dunes. Unlike most owls, it is active during both day and night and shows nomadic behaviour. It feeds on small mammals like lemmings and voles using a swooping hunting technique. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is classified as Vulnerable.

Notes:
The National Biodiversity Authority has designated two institutions as National Repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002. The institutions are Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology and Agharkar Research Institute. The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology hosts the Referral Centre Bhavasagara, focusing on deep-sea biodiversity with over 3,500 geo-referenced specimens, including fishes and invertebrates. It is the only national facility dedicated to preserving life from India’s deep-sea ecosystems. The Agharkar Research Institute hosts the MACS Microorganism & Fungal Collection, specialising in anaerobic and extremophilic microorganisms and diverse fungal cultures.

Notes:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has reclassified the Southern Elephant Seal from Least Concern to Vulnerable on its Red List. It is the largest seal species and among the biggest mammals after whales. It is known as the deepest-diving seal, often diving 300–800 m for approx 30 minutes. It is found in circumpolar regions of the Southern Ocean, including Antarctica and southern parts of Africa, South America, and Australia.

Notes:
The Gauhati High Court directed the Assam government to respond to a petition regarding tree felling in the sanctuary without central forest clearance. Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the eastern fringe of Guwahati city, Assam. It was formed by merging South Amchang Reserve Forest, Amchang Reserve Forest, and Khanapara Reserve Forest. The sanctuary extends from the Brahmaputra River in the north to the forested hills of Meghalaya in the south.

Notes:
A security review was conducted at Mansar Lake, a key tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a freshwater lake located in Samba district, about 62 km from Jammu, in the foothills of the Shivalik range. The lake is oval-shaped, surrounded by forests and hills, and is one of the largest lakes in the region. It is mainly fed by rainwater and underground springs. It holds religious significance with the Sheshnag Temple, along with Durga and Umapati Mahadev temples nearby. The lake supports rich biodiversity, including algae, fish, and waterfowl species.

Notes:
The Chhattisgarh government plans to launch a jungle safari in Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary to promote eco-tourism. The sanctuary is located in Kabirdham district, Chhattisgarh, and lies in the Maikal range of the Satpura hills, known for rich biodiversity. It forms part of the Kanha–Achanakmar Corridor, linking Kanha National Park and Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, aiding wildlife movement.