Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers discovered a rare new catfish species Amblyceps vayavy in the Western Ghats. It was found in the northern Western Ghats across Goa and Maharashtra. The fish lives in shallow hill streams where the streambed has sand, pebbles, and stones. These streambed conditions create small microhabitats that help the fish hide and search for food. The name “vayavy” means “northwest” in Marathi and Konkani, referring to its location in the northwestern Western Ghats. The species has been recorded only from a few scattered locations, showing its rare distribution.

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Researchers discovered two ancient petroglyphs near Beerappa Temple in Manchirevula, Telangana, inside a rock shelter. Petroglyphs are rock engravings made by removing surface material using techniques like pecking, incising, drilling, and polishing. They differ from petrographs, which are painted or drawn images on rocks. The term comes from Greek words “petros” (stone) and “glyphein” (to carve). Petroglyphs appear as scratches or deep carvings and are linked to prehistoric human activity. They are found worldwide except Antarctica, with major presence in Africa, Americas, Europe, Siberia, and Australia. In India, Edakkal Caves in Kerala is a famous example.

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A recent survey of the Hindon River has revealed alarming water quality concerns, with preliminary tests showing zero dissolved oxygen (DO) at multiple locations, making the river “uninhabitable” for most aquatic life. The Hindon River is a tributary of the Yamuna River, flowing through parts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. It originates in the Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, in the Siwalik Hills, at an elevation of approximately 800 meters (2,625 feet) above sea level. The river flows across the industrial belt of Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana before merging with the Yamuna near Noida, covering a total length of 400 km. Its main tributaries include the Kali (West) River and the Krishni River.

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The Madras High Court issued 34 directions to eradicate the invasive species Prosopis juliflora from Tamil Nadu. Prosopis juliflora is a mesquite shrub/tree (Fabaceae) native to Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean, introduced in India during the British period. It is a highly invasive species with strong adaptability to varied soils (sand to clay, saline to alkaline) and wide rainfall conditions. The plant shows rapid growth and outcompetes native vegetation, leading to loss of biodiversity and degradation of grasslands.

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The Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle is a freshwater turtle species endemic to South Asia and once thrived in the Ganga River, but is now restricted to limited habitats. It belongs to the genus Batagur and is one of the three large freshwater turtles found in India. It is distributed in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and also found in the Brahmaputra River basin. It is listed as Critically Endangered in IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature list.

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The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has designated the Bhavasagara Referral Centre as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The centre is located at the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology in Kochi and functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It will act as a national facility for preserving, studying, and documenting India’s deep-sea biodiversity. The initiative strengthens India’s focus on the blue economy and marine biodiversity conservation.

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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.

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A new plant species Fimbristylis wayanadensis has been discovered in the high-altitude regions of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in India. It belongs to the group of sedges, which are grass-like plants characterized by triangular stems. The species was identified during a scientific expedition in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The name wayanadensis honours its place of discovery. It is found in transitional zones between rocky terrains and high-altitude grasslands, at elevations up to 1,900 meters.

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Rare sightings of the Woolly-Necked Stork have been reported from paddy fields near Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, indicating suitable wetland habitat conditions. The Woolly-Necked Stork, also called White-necked or Bishop Stork, belongs to the stork family Ciconiidae. It is a widespread tropical species found in Africa and Asia, including India and Indonesia. In India, it is more common in northern regions but now sighted in southern wetlands. It is listed as Near Threatened in International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation status.

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Calamaria garoensis is a newly discovered species of burrowing reed snake identified in the West Garo Hills of Meghalaya. It is currently endemic to the Garo Hills, indicating a restricted geographical distribution. It belongs to the genus Calamaria, known for small, secretive, and burrowing snakes. Reed snakes are non-venomous, slender, and fossorial (adapted to underground life). They are typically brown, reddish, or blackish in appearance.