Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has designated the Bhavasagara Referral Centre as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The centre is located at the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology in Kochi and functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It will act as a national facility for preserving, studying, and documenting India’s deep-sea biodiversity. The initiative strengthens India’s focus on the blue economy and marine biodiversity conservation.

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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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Dillenia nagalim is a new plant species discovered in Kamjong district of Manipur near the Indo-Myanmar border. The name reflects the Naga community, indicating its local origin. It is endemic, currently known from only a single location. It is a small shrub with bright yellow flowers and double-serrated leaves. It differs from related species like Dillenia pentagyna in size, flower structure, and reproductive features. It grows in tropical deciduous forests (250–350 m altitude) and flowers during May–June.

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Scientists at CSIR Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine demonstrated that Apis mellifera can survive sub-zero temperatures, reducing the need for seasonal hive migration. Apis mellifera is the most widely distributed and domesticated honey bee species globally. It is commercially important for honey, wax, propolis production, and crop pollination. It is native to Europe, West Asia, and Africa, it has been introduced worldwide since the 17th century. It thrives in habitats with abundant flowering plants such as meadows, forests, and gardens. It can adapt to diverse environments including grasslands, deserts, and wetlands with adequate resources.

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The Himachal Pradesh High Court quashed a notification declaring Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Col. Sher Jung National Park, also known as Simbalbara National Park, is located in the Paonta Valley, Himachal Pradesh. It is named after freedom fighter and environmentalist Colonel Sher Jung. The park lies in the lower to upper Shiwalik ranges with elevations between 350–700 metres. It is situated at the confluence of the Himalayas, Gangetic plains, and semi-arid biogeographic regions. It shares ecological connectivity with Kalesar National Park.

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The Colorado River is a major river of North America, often called the “Lifeline of the Southwest.” It originates in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, United States, and flows about 1,450 miles (2,330 kilometres) into the Gulf of California in Mexico. The river flows through seven U.S. states and two Mexican states, draining a vast arid and semi-arid region. It also forms part of the international boundary between Arizona (USA) and Mexico. It forms major reservoirs such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell, crucial for water supply and hydropower. Recent research highlights changing hydrological patterns, explaining declining water levels in the river system.

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The rare sea slug Discodorid cebuensis has been recorded in India for the first time at Haji Ali, Mumbai. Sea slugs, also called nudibranchs, are soft-bodied marine gastropods found from shallow waters to the deep sea. They lack shells and resemble naked snails, making them unique among molluscs. They are commonly found in coral reefs and serve as indicators of healthy marine ecosystems.

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Scientists observed that Barbary Macaque populations in Gibraltar practice geophagy (soil-eating behavior). The behavior is linked to consumption of tourist-provided junk food, which disturbs their natural diet. Barbary Macaque is the only macaque species found outside Asia and the only non-human primate in North Africa and Europe. It is naturally distributed in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco, with an introduced population in Gibraltar. It inhabits cedar forests, rocky cliffs, and mountainous regions. The IUCN status of Barbary Macaque is Endangered.

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Scientists discovered new fossils of an ancient platypus species in South Australia showing it had teeth, unlike modern platypuses. The Platypus is a semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal endemic to eastern Australia. It belongs to a rare group of mammals called monotremes (egg-laying mammals). It inhabits freshwater systems ranging from tropical Queensland to Tasmania and the Australian Alps. It spends much of its time in burrows along riverbanks. Its conservation status is Near Threatened (IUCN).

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Forest officials arrested four suspected poachers in the Baliguda forest division of Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha. Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kandhamal district of Odisha in the Eastern Highlands region. It is classified as a moist deciduous forest ecosystem with rich biodiversity. The sanctuary includes tribal communities such as Kutia Kondh and Desia Kondh living within or near forest areas.