Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers from Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany), New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, Kakapo Recovery, and University of Otago have successfully used artificial insemination (AI) to breed the critically endangered Kakapo. The Kakapo is the world’s largest flightless parrot, native to New Zealand. It is nocturnal, herbivorous, and the only lek-breeding parrot, where males display together to attract females. Kakapo breed only in years when native fruits like rimu berries are plentiful. Threats include predation by invasive mammals, infertility, high embryo death, and diseases like aspergillosis. Due to these threats, it is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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The Supreme Court of India has approved Rajasthan government’s plan to develop two new wetlands near Ajmer to support nature and planned city growth. This decision aims to protect the environment and ensure sustainable urban development near Ana Sagar Lake. Ana Sagar Lake is an artificial lake in Ajmer, Rajasthan, built between 1135 and 1150 AD by Anaaji Chauhan, father of King Prithviraj Chauhan. It is one of India’s largest and most famous lakes.

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A rare Arctic seabird, the Sabine’s Gull, was recently spotted at Nalsarovar Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat — its first sighting in India since 2013 in Kerala. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is located in Gujarat. It was declared a sanctuary in 1969 and became a Ramsar Site in 2012 under the Ramsar Convention. It hosts 48 algae and 72 flowering plant species, supporting rich birdlife and biodiversity.

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Recently, security forces encountered Maoists during anti-Naxal operations in Indravati National Park (INP). Indravati National Park is located in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. The park is named after the Indravati River, which originates from the Dandakaranya range in Odisha and is a tributary of the Godavari River. The river forms the northern and western boundaries of the park, also marking the border between Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

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A new species of beetle called Spathaspina noohi was recently discovered in the biodiverse forests of Meghalaya, India. It was found in the Umran area of Ri Bhoi district at an altitude of 781 metres. This beetle belongs to the weevil family, scientifically known as Curculionidae, which has over 60,000 species worldwide. Unlike some weevils that harm crops, Spathaspina noohi helps maintain ecological balance by controlling invasive plants.

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A year-long camera-trap study by Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF) revealed 80–85 wild leopards live in forests and scrublands around Bengaluru. This makes Bengaluru the large metro city with the highest number of free-ranging leopards, surpassing Mumbai’s count of around 54. The survey recorded 54 leopards inside Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) and about 30 in nearby reserved and private forests.

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Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir Government formed a Divisional Level Committee to monitor the Eco-Sensitive Zone around the Surinsar-Mansar Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is located in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and is named after the twin lakes Surinsar and Mansar. It spreads across Jammu, Udhampur, and Samba districts, with most of it lying in Jammu district.

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A new species of gecko named Dravidogecko coonoor has recently been discovered in the Coonoor Hills of the Upper Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. This gecko is found only in this region, making it endemic to the high elevation areas of the Western Ghats. Its habitat includes montane forests and monoculture plantations, often near human habitations. It has been observed in both natural and urban areas like tree bark, building walls, wall crevices, and plant branches. With this discovery, the total number of Dravidogecko species in the Western Ghats has increased to nine.

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Environmentalists recently raised alarm over the approval of an eco-tourism resort on Surla plateau inside Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, which lies in a critical tiger habitat. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located in North Goa in the Western Ghats. It is named after the Mhadei River that flows through it and features scenic waterfalls like Vazra Sakla Falls and Virdi Falls. Goa’s three highest peaks—Sonsogod, Talvche Sada, and Vagheri—are located within the sanctuary. Forests are dense with semi-evergreen and moist deciduous trees like teak, sal, bamboo, orchids, and medicinal plants.

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Recently, two new bush frog species named Raorchestes jadoh and Raorchestes jakoid were discovered in Meghalaya. Raorchestes jadoh is named after “Jadoh”, a traditional rice-and-meat dish of the Khasi community. Raorchestes jakoid is named after the Khasi word “jakoid”, meaning frog. These frogs skip the tadpole stage and hatch directly as miniature adults. Raorchestes jadoh was found in Langtor, Eastern West Khasi Hills, at 1,655 metres above sea level. Raorchestes jakoid was recorded in Lawbah, East Khasi Hills, at 815 metres elevation. The frogs were found in bushes and trees near human settlements, showing ecological adaptability.