Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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A new coffee plant species named Ophiorrhiza echinata was recently discovered in the Western Ghats. It was found in the shola forests at Devikulam, Idukki District, Kerala. The plant grows in the ecotone region between evergreen forests and grasslands at 1,630 metres above sea level. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family and is closely related to Ophiorrhiza mungos, used in cancer treatment and antidote preparations. It may have medicinal potential. The species is very rare, with less than 4 sq. km area of occupancy and only about 35 plants recorded

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The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), headquartered in Chennai, sanctioned ₹82 lakh to the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board for Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus) conservation. The initiative aims to raise 1 lakh Red Sanders saplings to supply farmers, supporting the Trees Outside Forests (ToF) programme. Red Sanders, native to Southern Eastern Ghats (Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool), faces threats from smuggling due to high commercial value. The species is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

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A recent survey by State Forest Department and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) found rare nesting of Pallid Fish Eagle in Corbett Tiger Reserve. The bird is also called Pallas’s sea eagle or band-tailed fish eagle and is a large brownish sea eagle. It lives near lakes, marshes and rivers from lowlands up to 5,000 metres elevation. It is partially migratory, with Central Asian birds wintering in northern India and further west to the Persian Gulf. It is found across East Palearctic regions like Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, China, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Its IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List status is Endangered.

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Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgraded the Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) status from Endangered to Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts. It is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. The name refers to the green fat under its shell, not the shell’s color, which ranges from olive to black. Juveniles are carnivorous, but adults are herbivorous, feeding mainly on seagrass and algae. It acts as a keystone species, maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. It has a small head, toothless beak-like jaws, and excellent hearing and smell. The turtle spends most of its life underwater, coming ashore only for nesting.

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Recently, environmentalists, wildlife activists, and locals urged the Union Environment Ministry to act against the illegal discharge of toxic leachate into the Aravalli hills. Leachate is a highly toxic liquid formed in municipal landfills. It collects at the bottom of landfills through waste decomposition, water infiltration, and chemical reactions. Its composition depends on waste type, landfill age, rainfall, and temperature. It contains organic pollutants, inorganic compounds, heavy metals, and microbes. Leachate can pollute soil, groundwater, and ecosystems, posing serious health risks. Proper leachate collection and disposal are essential under strict environmental regulations to prevent contamination.

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Recently, Goa’s only zoo inside Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is set to welcome new animals after 12 years — a barking deer and a pair of sloth bears. Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the northeastern part of Goa. It was established as a refuge for orphaned and injured animals. It has moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests with cane along streams.

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A photographer in Spain recently spotted the world’s first-ever white Iberian lynx, a rare sighting. The Iberian lynx is a carnivorous species endemic to Europe. It is one of the world’s most endangered wild cats, recognized by its pointy ears, long legs, and spotted fur. It is nocturnal, mainly hunting rabbits, its primary prey. It is found only in southwest Spain on the Iberian Peninsula, west of the Pyrenees.

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Recently, researchers began studying the rare cooperation between wild dolphins and traditional fishers in Ashtamudi Lake. Ashtamudi Lake is a freshwater lake in Kollam district, Kerala, and is the second largest lake after Vembanad Lake. Its name means Eight Braids in Malayalam, reflecting its palm-shaped branching. It is fed by the Kallada River and drains into the Arabian Sea. The region is also famous for its traditional coir industry. The lake supports rich biodiversity with 57 bird species, 97 fish species, and many endangered animals like pearl spot fish, mangrove crab, otter, and kingfisher.

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Scientists recently spotted the rare ginkgo-toothed beaked whales (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) for the first time in the wild near Baja California, Mexico. This species is one of 24 beaked whale species, the second most diverse cetacean group after dolphins. It lives in tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It has a robust body, small pointed flippers and two unique ginkgo-shaped teeth on the lower jaw. These whales are the deepest-diving mammals, surfacing only briefly and staying far from coastlines.

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Arunachal Pradesh recently recorded a major scientific achievement with the discovery of a new plant species named Hoya dawodiensis. It was found in the Vijaynagar region of Changlang district, which is reachable only by air or long trekking routes. Hoya plants are tropical flowering species known for their ecological importance and unique shape. They are also called wax plants or porcelain flowers due to their shiny, wax-like flowers. Hoyas are native to Asia, Australia, and Pacific Islands but also grow well as indoor plants. They need bright indirect light, well-draining soil, and prefer humid conditions.