Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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At the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, about 40 new species were added to the protected list category. The convention, also known as the Bonn Convention, is an environmental treaty under the United Nations Environment Programme. It provides a global framework for conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats. The convention was signed in Bonn, Germany on 23 June 1979.

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Rice’s Whale is a baleen whale belonging to the family Balaenopteridae and is closely related to Bryde’s whales. It was recognised as a distinct species in 2021, separate from other Bryde’s whales globally. It is the only whale species found year-round in the Gulf of Mexico. Its diet mainly consists of silver-rag driftfish. Major threats include oil drilling, vessel strikes, noise pollution, oil spills, and climate change. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is classified as Critically Endangered.

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Recently, a rare Indian giant flying squirrel was spotted in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, indicating rich biodiversity and possible range extension. The reserve is located in Chhattisgarh and was formed by combining the Udanti and Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuaries. Its river system is dominated by the Mahanadi River, along with tributaries like Udanti, Sitanadi, Indravati, and Pairi. It forms a critical forest corridor connecting to Indravati Tiger Reserve, aiding wildlife movement.

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Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered two new species of free-living marine nematodes off the coast of Tamil Nadu named Corononema dhriti and Epacanthion indica. Corononema dhriti is the fourth known species of its genus, previously recorded only in Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Epacanthion indica is a microscopic predator with specialized mandibles and teeth, feeding within the benthic food web. Marine nematodes play a key role in nutrient cycling, sediment health, and act as bio-indicators for environmental and climate change.

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A new species of bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus raimonaensis, has been discovered in Assam near Raimona National Park. It belongs to the genus Cyrtodactylus (one of the largest groups of geckos globally with high species diversity). The species is named after Raimona National Park located in Kokrajhar district of Assam. It has a moderate body size with a maximum snout-vent length (distance from snout to cloaca in reptiles) of about 71.1 millimetres (mm). It shows rounded, bluntly conical and weakly keeled dorsal tubercles (small bony projections on the skin).

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The Painted Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis pictus) is a rare, colourful terrestrial reptile recently spotted in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. It belongs to the genus Eublepharis under the family Eublepharidae, distributed across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The species was scientifically described in 2022 from the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The Brahmani River acts as a geographical barrier separating it from the East Indian Leopard Gecko. It prefers dry evergreen forests with scrub and meadow habitats.

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The government of Meghalaya has decided to exclude Lumpongdeng Island located in Umiam Lake from the proposed luxury resort project after protests by local communities and stakeholders. The Umiam Lake, also known as Barapani Lake, is a man-made reservoir located about 15 km north of Shillong and surrounded by the East Khasi Hills. The lake is formed by a dam built across the Umiam River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River, with a capacity to generate about 60 MW of electricity.

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Shekha Jheel Bird Sanctuary has been designated a Ramsar Site, taking India’s total to 99. A Ramsar Site is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It is located in Aligarh district of Uttar Pradesh in the Gangetic plains. It is a typical monsoonal wetland with a freshwater, perennial water body.

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Sewage from tourism in Kollur is threatening Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary, with pollution entering via the Souparnika River. It is located in Udupi district of Karnataka in the Western Ghats. The sanctuary covers about 370 square kilometres and is biodiversity-rich. It is named after the Kollur Mookambika Temple deity within its boundaries. It forms an ecological link between Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary (south) and Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary (north).

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The Chhattisgarh government plans to launch a jungle safari in Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary to promote eco-tourism. The sanctuary is located in Kabirdham district, Chhattisgarh, and lies in the Maikal range of the Satpura hills, known for rich biodiversity. It forms part of the Kanha–Achanakmar Corridor, linking Kanha National Park and Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, aiding wildlife movement.