Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
A rare Striated Grassbird was recorded for the first time in Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary, marking a major range extension in Maharashtra. Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. The sanctuary lies between the Markhanda and Pedigundam hills with the Pranhita River along its western side. It is located near the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers.

Notes:
Land reclamation in the ravines of the Chambal River area increases risks of soil erosion, flooding, and loss of biodiversity. The Chambal, called Charmanvati in ancient times, is a major tributary of the Yamuna in the Gangetic drainage system. It is a perennial river originating from Janapav near Indore on the Vindhya range. It flows through Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.

Notes:
Migratory birds like stork cranes, pelicans, painted storks and bar-headed geese have returned to Keoladeo National Park after heavy monsoon rains. The park is located in Bharatpur district, Rajasthan, and was earlier called Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. It is one of the world’s most important bird breeding and feeding grounds. It was established in the late 19th century by Maharaja Suraj Mal as a hunting reserve.

Notes:
A tigress will be airlifted from Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) to Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR), Rajasthan, marking the state’s first inter-state tiger translocation. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) is located in Bundi district, Rajasthan. It acts as a wildlife corridor between Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve. Mez River, a tributary of Chambal River, flows through the reserve.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu has launched one of India’s largest invasive-species eradication campaigns to completely eliminate Senna spectabilis from all forest divisions by March 2026. Senna spectabilis is a fast-growing yellow-flowering tree from the legume family (Fabaceae), originally planted for ornamentation and shade but now categorised as a highly invasive alien species. The species is native to South and Central America, including Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, and Venezuela, but has aggressively spread across India. In India, it has heavily invaded forest landscapes in the Nilgiris, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, Anaikatty, and other parts of the Western Ghats, threatening native biodiversity.

Notes:
Community-led conservation initiatives at Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary have recently succeeded in restoring wild honey bee colonies, leading to improved pollination, healthier forests, and revival of associated wildlife. These efforts highlight the role of local community participation in strengthening ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation within protected areas. Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts of Assam. The sanctuary is renowned as the second protected habitat of the endangered golden langur, supporting a population of over 600 individuals, making it ecologically significant at the national level.

Notes:
The Chhattisgarh government has intensified efforts to secure UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site status for Kanger Valley National Park. The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has been assigned to conduct a biodiversity survey for submission to UNESCO. Currently, Kanger Valley National Park and the Sirpur archaeological site are on UNESCO’s Tentative List. Kanger Valley National Park is located in Jagdalpur, in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.

Notes:
A powerful winter storm rapidly intensified into a bomb cyclone named Winter Storm Ezra across the United States of America (USA). More than 58 million people were under winter storm warnings, with blizzards, strong winds, and power outages. A bomb cyclone forms when atmospheric pressure drops sharply within 24 hours, causing extreme weather. Authorities warned against travel as hazardous conditions continue moving eastward.

Notes:
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) recently released 15 critically endangered Indian vultures in Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra. Melghat Tiger Reserve is located in Maharashtra on the southern offshoot of the Satpura Range called Gavilgarh Hill. It was the first tiger reserve established in Maharashtra. The name Melghat means the confluence of several valleys reflecting its landscape. It is the catchment area of five Tapti River tributaries: Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga, and Dolar.

Notes:
Scientists have confirmed India’s first case of freshwater pufferfish poisoning, highlighting a new public health concern. Pufferfish belong to the order Tetraodontiformes and are also called toadfish, patkafish, balloonfish, and fugu. They are omnivorous and benthic, meaning they live and feed near the river bottom. In India, they are mainly found in the Western Ghats and river basins like Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi. Freshwater pufferfish species in India are often endemic and indicate healthy river ecosystems. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), pufferfish are listed as Vulnerable.