Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers discovered a new pistol shrimp species named Alpheus madhusoodanai in the Kochi backwaters of Kerala. Pistol shrimp are also called snapping shrimp because they produce a loud snapping sound with their claws. It belongs to the family Alpheidae. It is the first alpheid shrimp species recorded from an estuary in this region. The species shows burrowing behaviour in muddy soil. Its burrowing helps mangrove ecosystems by releasing trapped toxic gases from swampy soil. This improves soil quality and supports overall coastal ecosystem health.

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New aquaculture tanks were reportedly dug inside Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary after illegal tanks were earlier demolished following Supreme Court orders. Kolleru Wildlife Sanctuary is located in West Godavari and Krishna districts of Andhra Pradesh. It was established under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It covers about 308 square kilometre of wetlands and marshes. It protects Kolleru Lake, declared a Ramsar Site of International Importance in 2002. Lake receives water from Budameru and Tammileru rivers and 67 drains linked to Krishna and Godavari river systems.

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A recent study warns that climate change may restrict the habitat of the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon to a few isolated pockets in the Western Ghats by the end of the century. It is an endemic pigeon species of the Western Ghats in India. It is large, dark in colour, with a distinctive checkerboard pattern on its nape. It lives in high-elevation wet evergreen, moist evergreen, semi-evergreen forests and shola forests. It is mainly found in the Nilgiris and Anamalai Hills, with isolated populations in Biligirirangan Hills, Nandi Hills and northern Maharashtra.

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A new groundwater fish species, Gitchak nakana, has been discovered in Assam. It belongs to a newly described genus under the family Cobitidae (loaches). The name comes from the Garo language: “Gitchak” means red, referring to its blood-red colour, and “na-tok” and “kana” mean blind fish. It shows subterranean adaptations like absence of visible eyes, translucent pigmentless body, and extreme miniaturisation. It completely lacks a skull roof, with the brain covered only by skin. It lives in groundwater aquifers, which are difficult to access.

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The Western Tragopan has drawn attention due to declining populations in the western Himalayas. It is a rare pheasant species endemic to the Western Himalayas. It is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh and locally called Jujurana meaning “King of Birds.” The bird lives in temperate and subalpine forests with dense undergrowth. It usually occurs at elevations of about 2,400–3,600 metres. Its range includes Uttarakhand, Kashmir, and parts of Pakistan.

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Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India rediscovered the rare plant Henckelia monophylla after about 189 years. The species is endemic to Arunachal Pradesh and belongs to the Gesneriaceae. It was first collected in 1836 by British botanist William Griffith in the Mishmi Hills. It is a perennial herb growing in moist forest habitats. Plants of genus Henckelia usually have upright or slightly trailing stems with simple ovate or lance-shaped leaves.

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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.

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The Hudsonian godwit population has declined by 95% in the last four decades due to environmental changes. It is a large migratory shorebird belonging to the sandpiper family Scolopacidae. It breeds in sub-Arctic and Boreal wetland habitats like sedge meadows and muskeg. It is found mainly in North America and South America. It feeds on insects and crustaceans in shallow water. It migrates annually from the Arctic to Patagonia for the southern summer. Major threats include habitat loss and climate change. It is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

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Police rescued 16 Indian Softshell turtles from illegal wildlife trade in Jharcha, Greater Noida, highlighting ongoing trafficking concerns. The Indian softshell turtle is a freshwater turtle species native to South Asia. They are found in rivers, canals, ponds, and freshwater systems. They are distributed across major river basins like Indus, Ganga, and Mahanadi. They occurs in multiple Indian states (e.g., Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal) and also in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.

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India has withdrawn its bid to host COP33 climate summit after reviewing governmental commitments for 2028. The proposal was earlier announced at COP28 to strengthen India’s leadership among Global South countries. COP (Conference of Parties: annual UN climate meeting under UNFCCC) hosting rotates among regional groups; 2028 is allocated to Asia-Pacific. With India’s withdrawal, South Korea remains the only formal contender. India previously hosted COP8 in New Delhi.