Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Researchers have discovered a new butterfly species named Chonala albistricta, also known as the Narrow-banded Wall, in Arunachal Pradesh. The species was discovered at Mayodia Pass in the Lower Dibang Valley district. It belongs to the genus Chonala, a small group of mountain butterflies found in the Himalayas and nearby Asian high-altitude regions. Chonala albistricta is the 10th known species in the genus worldwide and only the second Chonala species recorded in India.

Notes:
Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has released the first scientific assessment report on the Greater Hog Badger. The Greater Hog Badger (Arctonyx collaris) is a nocturnal, small burrowing omnivorous mammal. It is locally known as “mati gahori” in Assam. The greater hog badger and northern hog badger are found in India. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, its conservation status is Vulnerable.

Notes:
Recently, a Knob-Billed Duck was recorded for the first time at Pong Lake Wildlife Sanctuary. The Knob-Billed Duck, also known as the African Comb Duck, is named after the prominent leaf-shaped comb on the male’s bill. It is found in tropical wetlands of Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and the Indian subcontinent extending to Laos and southern China. It breeds in freshwater swamps and lakes in tropical regions. It is one of the largest duck species, measuring 56–76 cm in length with a wingspan of 116–145 cm. The IUCN Red List status of the Knob-Billed Duck is Least Concern.

Notes:
Seven endangered Golden Langurs rescued from wildlife traffickers were recently released into Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park. The Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei), also known as Gee’s Golden Langur, is an Old World monkey found only in western Assam and southern Bhutan. Its distribution is restricted between the Bhutan foothills, Manas River, Sankosh River, and Brahmaputra River.It inhabits moist evergreen, tropical deciduous, and riverine forests, spending most of its life in the upper forest canopy. It is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

Notes:
Recently, a rescued Chinese pangolin and an Asian palm civet were released into Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya. Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Meghalaya within the Eastern Himalayan Global Biodiversity Hotspot. It was established in 1981 under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Umtrew River forms the western boundary of the sanctuary. The sanctuary is dominated by tropical moist deciduous and tropical semi-evergreen forests.

Notes:
The Indian gaur (bison) translocation programme to Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary has been put on hold due to high anthropogenic pressure, especially cattle presence. Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It represents the northeastern limit of the Eastern Ghats. The sanctuary was declared mainly to conserve wild elephants and their habitats. The Kumarkhunti Reservoir is the only permanent water source supporting wildlife during summer.

Notes:
Recently, researchers discovered a new plant species, Canscora agni, in the fire-prone savannas of western India. It was discovered on Sus Hill in Pune district, Maharashtra. The species is named “agni” (meaning fire) because it thrives in ecosystems maintained by natural fires. It is a small dwarf herb with white petals and distinctive winged stems, clearly different from its closest relative, Canscora alata. Researchers have recommended classifying Canscora agni as Critically Endangered.

Notes:
Recently, the Natural History Museum (NHM), Mizoram was notified as a Designated Repository under the Biological Diversity Act. It became India’s 21st Designated Repository, on the recommendation of the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA). It was established in 2022 under Mizoram University in Aizawl. It is located in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. The museum specialises in the taxonomy of pteridophytes, macrofungi, moths, beetles, fishes, and butterflies. It supports the conservation of endemic species, including the recently discovered Leptobrachella tamdil amphibian.

Notes:
The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) organised a workshop on “Satellite and Drone-based Survey for Watershed Planning & Monitoring” in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The workshop was held under the World Bank-assisted REWARD Programme. REWARD stands for Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development. It is a watershed development programme assisted by World Bank. It aims to strengthen watershed management practices, enhance farmers’ resilience, and support value chains in selected watersheds.

Notes:
Scientists have discovered a new species of porcelain crab named Pachycheles ravichandrani. It was discovered in the shallow coral reefs of the Lakshadweep Islands, specifically Agatti Island. Although they resemble true crabs, porcelain crabs are more closely related to squat lobsters. The species was found hiding among rock boulders covered with coralline algae at depths of less than one metre. The discovery enriches India’s known marine biodiversity, particularly in the ecologically important coral reef ecosystems of Lakshadweep.