Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
A new gecko species named Cnemaspis brahmaputra was recently discovered in Assam at Dirgheswari Temple on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River. It has been named after the Brahmaputra River to honour the discovery location. The gecko belongs to the Cnemaspis podihuna clade, a group of small, daytime-active (diurnal) geckos. This clade was earlier believed to exist mainly in Sri Lanka. Its discovery in Assam proves an ancient biogeographic link between Sri Lanka and northeast India.

Notes:
A vibrant Monkey Puzzle butterfly was recently spotted in Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR), Madhya Pradesh. The Monkey Puzzle butterfly’s scientific name is Rathinda amor. It belongs to the lycaenid family, commonly called blue butterflies. It is a small-sized butterfly. It is endemic to South Asia, including India’s Western Ghats, southern Indian plains, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Notes:
The Pale-capped Pigeon was recently spotted in Dehing Patkai National Park, Assam, marking a rare and important sighting for birdwatchers and conservationists. It is also called the Purple Wood Pigeon due to its dark purplish-maroon colour. It is found locally across parts of northern and northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The bird lives mainly in primary or secondary evergreen forests, and also in bamboo groves and farmlands near forests.

Notes:
Recently, a new spider species named Piratula acuminata was discovered by researchers from Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Kolkata on Sagar Island in the Sundarbans. This is the first recorded presence of the genus Piratula in India, a group of wolf spiders mainly found in Asia, with few in Europe and North America. The spider belongs to the Lycosidae family, known for ground-dwelling, ambush-hunting behavior rather than web-building. The discovery emphasizes the biodiversity of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sundarbans, and calls for stronger conservation efforts.

Notes:
Odisha launched a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under the Shree Anna Abhiyan (SAA) to conserve landraces and empower smallholder farmers. Landraces are genetically diverse traditional seed varieties adapted to local conditions with traits like pest resistance and climate resilience. The SOP bridges the gap between formal seed systems and community-led traditional seed systems. It expands beyond millets to include pulses, cereals, and tubers. Surveys will identify valuable landraces based on farmers’ knowledge and scientific traits.

Notes:
In a historic move, National Waterway-57 (River Kopili) was recently made operational to boost Assam’s river trade and sustainable logistics. River Kopili is a major south bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River in Assam. It originates from Saipong Reserve Forest in North Cachar Hills, Meghalaya, at 1525 meters altitude in the Borail Range. It is an interstate river flowing through Meghalaya and Assam. It passes through North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong, Nagaon, and Morigaon districts of Assam.

Notes:
Recently, red panda cubs were born at Himalayan Zoological Park near Gangtok, Sikkim after a gap of 7 years under a conservation programme. Red panda is also called the lesser panda. It is a shy, solitary, herbivorous and tree-dwelling (arboreal) animal. It uses its long bushy tail for balance and warmth during winter. It is an indicator species that signals ecological changes. It is mainly found in mountain forests of India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar. It is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Notes:
Recently, a rare and colourful Blue Pinkgill mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri) was documented in Kagaznagar forest division, Komaram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana. It is also called “sky-blue mushroom” and has pink to purplish gills. It is native to New Zealand, it is featured on the country’s $50 note. Its vivid blue colour comes from rare azulene pigments. It has flat or funnel-shaped caps, pink or white gills, and centrally or laterally attached stems.

Notes:
For the first time, a consignment of 1.5 metric tonnes of Halman apricots has been sent to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. Halman apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a premium variety found in Ladakh. It was introduced over a century ago from China or Central Asia. It is abundantly grown in the Sham region of Ladakh including Dha-Hanu, Garkhon, Skurbuchan, Domkhar, Wanla, Khaltse, and Timosgang villages. It is renowned for rich flavor, versatility, and role in Ladakhi cuisine, medicine, and rituals. Nutritionally, it is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron, dietary fiber, and antioxidants.

Notes:
Recently, Kilauea volcano erupted in Hawaii, a group of volcanic islands in the central Pacific Ocean. Kilauea volcano is located in the United States, on the island of Hawaii. It’s part of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kilauea is the world’s most active volcano. It’s located on the southeastern part of Hawaii’s Big Island. Kilauea is a shield volcano, and the youngest and most active of the Hawaiian shield volcanoes.