Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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A recent faunal survey in Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary has greatly increased biodiversity records of Kerala’s youngest protected area. The sanctuary is located in Malappuram district of Kerala on the western slopes of the Nilgiris. Its name comes from the Karimpuzha River, a tributary of the Chaliyar River. The forest forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) and the Nilambur Elephant Reserve (ER). It borders Mukurthi National Park (Tamil Nadu) and Silent Valley National Park (Kerala).

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A third tigress was recently released into the wild at Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR), boosting tiger conservation in western Maharashtra. Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, and is the northernmost tiger habitat in the Western Ghats. It is the first tiger reserve of Western Maharashtra and the fourth in the state.

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Researchers have cautioned that the increasing presence of lion-tailed macaques in human-dominated landscapes is largely driven by easy access to food associated with human settlements. The lion-tailed macaque is an Old World monkey and is also known as the “beard ape” due to its distinctive silver-white mane around the face. It is one of the smallest species of macaques in the world and is endemic to the evergreen rainforests of the southern Western Ghats. According to its conservation status, the lion-tailed macaque is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List

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Futala Lake, also called Telankhedi Lake, is a man-made lake in western Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is more than 200 years old and was built in the 18th century during the Bhonsle dynasty rule. It was created to supply water to nearby villages and farmlands. The lake spreads over about 60 acres and is one of the largest lakes in Nagpur. It is surrounded by forest on three sides and a landscaped beach on one side. Recently, it is facing problems due to untreated sewage and increasing pollution.

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Researchers have discovered a new species of Asian grass lizard named Takydromus ultapanensis. The species was found in the Ultapani Reserve Forest located in Kokrajhar district, within Assam’s Manas Biosphere landscape. Unlike many related lizard species found in montane or subtropical habitats, T. ultapanensis inhabits lowland, semi-evergreen forests mixed with waterlogged grasslands and fern patches. Researchers observed the lizards basking on fern bushes in small open patches crisscrossed by seasonal water channels. The discovery emphasizes the biodiversity significance of Assam’s Manas Biosphere landscape and the need for protection of its unique habitats.

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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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Zoological Survey of India recently discovered a new marine crab species named Chhapgarus ngankeeae from the mangroves of Goa. The species is named in honour of the late Ngan Kee Ng, a noted marine biologist from the National University of Singapore. It is found in muddy intertidal mangrove forests along the west coast of India. Mangrove crabs, including Chhapgarus ngankeeae, play an important ecological role by recycling nutrients and supporting coastal food chains.

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A new frog species named Nyctibatrachus kali (Kali Night Frog) has been discovered. It is found in Kali Tiger Reserve. The name comes from the nearby Kali River, after which the reserve is also named. It is a cryptic species, meaning it looks very similar to other frogs. It resembles the Kumbara Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus kumbara) discovered in 2014. Its sound is unique and similar to wood-chopping noise in forests. Kali Tiger Reserve is located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.

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The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released draft rules to manage tar balls and protect India’s coastline and marine environment from oil spills. Tar balls are small, dark, sticky blobs of weathered oil formed in marine environments due to oil spills or natural seeps. It is formed when crude oil undergoes physical, chemical, and biological weathering, forming semi-solid or solid lumps transported by currents and waves to shores. It contains toxic contaminants, including heavy metals, trace elements, and persistent organic pollutants.

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The complete mitochondrial genome of the Madras Hedgehog (Paraechinus nudiventris) has been analysed for the first time, revealing insights into its evolutionary history. Locally called Mulleli, it is also known as the bare-bellied hedgehog, discovered in 1851. They are found in dry scrublands, thorn forests, grasslands, and farmland edges in peninsular India—mainly Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka. It is listed as Least Concern in International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list.