Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Rapid habitat destruction has forced the arboreal Phayre’s leaf monkey to change its natural behaviour and habits. Phayre’s leaf monkey (Trachypithecus phayrei) is an Old World monkey that is diurnal and tree-dwelling. It lives in tropical, deciduous, and evergreen forests, and is also found in bamboo clusters and rubber plantations. It is distributed in North-East India, mainly Tripura, Assam, and Mizoram, along with eastern Bangladesh and western Myanmar. ts conservation status is Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

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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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The Finke River, called Larapinta by the Arrernte people, is believed to be the world’s oldest river system. It is a major but intermittent river located in central Australia. The river originates in the MacDonnell Ranges of the Northern Territory. It forms from the meeting of Davenport Creek and Ormiston Creek. The river flows for about 600 kilometres towards the Simpson Desert in South Australia. Geological evidence dates the river to the Devonian or Carboniferous period, around 300–400 million years ago. For most of the year, it appears as scattered waterholes but becomes fast-flowing after heavy rains.

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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.

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A new species of ginger named Parakaempferia alba has been discovered in the Siang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae, which is the ginger family of flowering plants. The species was found in the Miglung area of East Siang District. It grows at an altitude ranging from 150 to 400 metres above sea level. The plant thrives along shaded streambanks. It prefers humid conditions with sandy soil, which support its growth. This discovery highlights the rich plant biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayan region.

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Two tourists from Kerala drowned recently after the frozen surface of Sela Lake in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district cracked beneath them while they were on it. Sela Lake, also called Paradise Lake, is a glacial lake located near Sela Pass in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Sela Pass is an important mountain pass connecting the Tawang region with the rest of Arunachal Pradesh. Due to extremely cold temperatures below zero, the lake remains frozen throughout winter. The high altitude results in very limited vegetation around the lake.

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Researchers discovered a new wildflower species named Lepidagathis konkanensis in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It was found in Ratnagiri district during a floristic survey of lateritic plateaus, which are iron-rich and harsh habitats. The species is currently known from a very small area of less than 65 square kilometres. The name honours the Konkan region, which is isolated by the Arabian Sea and Sahyadri Mountains. Scientists recommend its status as Data Deficient under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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The Himalayan Griffon Vulture was recently sighted in Melghat, Maharashtra, influenced by the presence of captive-bred vultures released in the area. It is one of the nine vulture species found in India and belongs to the Old World vultures group. It is mainly found in the Himalayan and Tibetan regions and Central Asian mountains, with limited altitudinal migration into northern India. It is a huge vulture weighing up to 12 kilograms, with long wings adapted for soaring on wind thermals. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is listed as Near Threatened.

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Supreme Court of India allowed construction of a road through Rajaji National Park with condition that no commercial vehicles will operate on it. It is located in Uttarakhand between the Shivalik ranges and the Indo-Gangetic plains. It was formed by merging Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla wildlife sanctuaries. It is named after C. Rajagopalachari, a freedom fighter known as Rajaji.

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Recently, an adult male tiger named ‘Explorer’ was reintroduced into the wild in Papikonda National Park as part of Operation Stripes. Papikonda National Park is located along the banks of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. The park is recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by BirdLife International.