Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Researchers rediscovered Myiophanes kempi in limestone caves of the Andaman Islands after nearly 100 years. It is a slender-bodied assassin bug belonging to the Reduviidae. The species was first described in 1924 by British entomologist William Edward China. Earlier records of the species came from Siju Cave about a century ago. It is a specialised predator of subterranean cave ecosystems and completes its entire life cycle in darkness. The insect uses long raptorial forelegs to capture prey such as small arthropods living in cave environments.

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Pakistan ranked as the most polluted country in 2025 as per IQAir report. PM2.5 levels were about 13 times higher than limits set by World Health Organization. Only 13 countries met the WHO safe limit (<5 µg/m³), up from 7 in 2024. 130 out of 143 countries failed to meet WHO air quality standards. Bangladesh and Tajikistan ranked second and third most polluted. Only 14% of global cities met WHO standards, down from 17% in 2024.

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A new frog species named Nyctibatrachus kali (Kali Night Frog) has been discovered. It is found in Kali Tiger Reserve. The name comes from the nearby Kali River, after which the reserve is also named. It is a cryptic species, meaning it looks very similar to other frogs. It resembles the Kumbara Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus kumbara) discovered in 2014. Its sound is unique and similar to wood-chopping noise in forests. Kali Tiger Reserve is located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.

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The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has released draft rules to manage tar balls and protect India’s coastline and marine environment from oil spills. Tar balls are small, dark, sticky blobs of weathered oil formed in marine environments due to oil spills or natural seeps. It is formed when crude oil undergoes physical, chemical, and biological weathering, forming semi-solid or solid lumps transported by currents and waves to shores. It contains toxic contaminants, including heavy metals, trace elements, and persistent organic pollutants.

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India has withdrawn its bid to host COP33 climate summit after reviewing governmental commitments for 2028.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.

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Recently, scientists discovered three new species of dragonflies in Northeast India, highlighting the region’s rich biodiversity. Two species—Clouded Boghawker (Sarasaeschna nuboides) and Siang Boghawker (Sarasaeschna sigotaayo)—were found in the Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh near forest ponds. The third species—Long-tailed Boghawker (Sarasaeschna dosdewaensis)—was discovered in Karimganj district, an emerging odonate diversity hotspot. Dragonflies belong to the order Odonata and are known for large compound eyes, two pairs of wings, and elongated bodies. They are fast-flying predators, feeding on insects like mosquitoes and flies.

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Scientists recorded a rare orchid species named Eulophia picta for the first time in central Andhra Pradesh. It is a medium-to-small, hot-growing terrestrial orchid commonly called the Nodding Swamp Orchid. It is distributed from India to Southeast Asia and Australia, occurring in moist grasslands, sandy coastal areas, and rainforests. It also grows in semi-deciduous and dry lowland forests up to about 1000 m elevation.

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A scientific survey has started in Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Andhra Pradesh to assess the Peacock Tarantula population. Peacock Tarantula, also called Gooty Sapphire Ornamental Tarantula, is known for its bright metallic blue colour. It is endemic to India and mainly found in Andhra Pradesh forests. It actively hunts prey using speed and venom instead of webs. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists it as Critically Endangered. It helps maintain ecological balance by controlling insect populations.

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The world’s first Smart Island Monitoring System has been launched on Floreana Island in the Galápagos Archipelago to improve biodiversity conservation and ecosystem monitoring. The project was developed by Island Conservation in collaboration with Fundación Jocotoco under the Floreana Island Ecological Restoration Project. The system uses Low Power Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN), Internet of Things (IoT) technology, artificial intelligence-enabled camera traps, smart traps, and animal trackers for real-time wildlife monitoring. It reduces manual conservation work by about 98 percent and helps conservation teams quickly respond to environmental and wildlife changes.

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Rakchham Chitkul Wildlife Sanctuary witnessed sightings of Himalayan brown bears, reviving conservation interest in the region. The sanctuary is located in Himachal Pradesh and is also known as the Sangla Wildlife Sanctuary. The Lamkhanga Pass trekking route passes through the sanctuary. Lamkhanga Pass connects Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh with the Gangotri region of Uttarakhand.