Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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The latest crocodile census shows an increase in crocodile population in Similipal National Park of Odisha, highlighting successful wildlife conservation. Similipal National Park is located in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha and covers about 2,750 square kilometres. The park is named after the Simul or silk cotton tree found in large numbers. It is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, and part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve.

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Indian scientists discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species named Gegeneophis valmiki in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra. The species is named after Maharshi Valmiki Mandir located near the discovery site. It belongs to the genus Gegeneophis, commonly known as blind caecilians. Caecilians are limbless, worm-like amphibians that live underground with eyes hidden under skin and bone. They do not croak like frogs, making field identification very difficult. The Western Ghats host 26 endemic caecilians, and this is the first Gegeneophis discovery in over a decade.

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A forest fire recently spread inside Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary along the Indo-China border at about 13,000 feet altitude in Sikkim. The sanctuary is located in eastern Sikkim and is connected to the forests of Bhutan and Neora Valley National Park in West Bengal. The Pangolakha Range below the Chola Range forms a natural boundary between Sikkim and Bhutan. It has alpine, temperate, and subtropical vegetation zones.

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A new orchid species named Diplocentrum papillosum was discovered in Kanthalloor, Marayoor, in the Idukki district of Kerala. It belongs to the Diplocentrum genus, which is found only in the southern part of the Western Ghats. The orchid grows on rocks and tree branches and has strong roots to survive high winds. The name papillosum refers to the papillose, or small bump-like, texture of its flowers. It has unbranched flower clusters with pink and white, fragrant, and eye-catching blooms.

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The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has launched a digital portal for issuing Certificates of Origin for cultivated medicinal plants. The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The portal enables stakeholders to obtain Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) exemptions through an end-to-end online, single-window system.

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New York and New Jersey filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for freezing $16 billion in federal funding for a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River. The Hudson River is located mostly in New York State, United States, with its final 34 km forming the boundary between New York and New Jersey. It was named after British explorer Henry Hudson, who sailed up the river in 1609. The river originates from several small postglacial lakes in the Adirondack Mountains near Mount Marcy (1,629 metres), the highest point in New York.

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The Himalayan Tahr is facing a growing threat from garbage in the Himalayas. It is a large hoofed mammal with the scientific name Hemitragus jemlahicus. Its habitat spans southern Tibet, northern India, western Bhutan, and Nepal, mostly on alpine slopes between 2,500–5,000 meters. Male Himalayan Tahr weigh around 73 kg, females about 36 kg. They have a small head, pointed ears, large eyes, and backward-curving horns (males up to 46 cm, smaller in females) used in mating fights. It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

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The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently directed the Field Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to submit a detailed report regarding recent tiger fatalities in the reserve and nearby areas. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is located in Madhya Pradesh and is spread across the Vindhya Hills. The topography of the reserve includes steep ridges, undulating forest landscapes, and open grassland meadows. The reserve is known for its historical and archaeological significance, featuring caves with Pali inscriptions and carvings depicting animals.

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The south division of Palamu Tiger Reserve launched ‘Vanjeevi Didi’ in 17 villages to train educated women as reserve ambassadors. The objective of initiative is to prevent forest destruction and illegal wildlife activities by fostering local, women-led conservation efforts. It is located on the Chhotanagpur Plateau in Jharkhand. It is part of Betla National Park. It was among the first nine tiger reserves under Project Tiger.

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Around 80 vultures recorded in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, and experts say population is stable despite decline in breeding. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Wayanad district of Kerala in southern Western Ghats. It is also known as Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and was established in 1973. It covers 344 square kilometre and is part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It borders Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai National Park.