Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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New research by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Stop Methane Project (SPM) using satellite data from Carbon Mapper found Turkmenistan has 15 of the top 25 methane-emitting oil and gas sites (2025), with 4,400+ methane plumes across 2,489 sites globally. Other major emission hotspots include Iran, Venezuela, Texas (USA) and Sindh (Pakistan), with emission rates ranging 3.7–10.5 tonnes/hour. In India, Ghazipur landfill in Delhi is a major super-emitter, with a peak leak of 400 tonnes/hour (2022) due to anaerobic decomposition of organic waste.

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Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovered a new wild kiwi species, Actinidia indica, in Arunachal Pradesh. The species is found only in a limited area near Ziro Valley, growing in a transition zone between temperate and subtropical forests. It is a perennial climbing shrub with hairy young branches, large ovate leaves, and white to creamy flowers. The plant produces olive-green globose fruits with a unique reticulate lenticel pattern, which helps in its identification. This discovery adds to the global diversity of Actinidia species, of which only a few are found in India.

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Zoological Survey of India recently discovered a new marine crab species named Chhapgarus ngankeeae from the mangroves of Goa. The species is named in honour of the late Ngan Kee Ng, a noted marine biologist from the National University of Singapore. It is found in muddy intertidal mangrove forests along the west coast of India. Mangrove crabs, including Chhapgarus ngankeeae, play an important ecological role by recycling nutrients and supporting coastal food chains.

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Around 20,000 eggs of Olive Ridley Turtles have been conserved on Hope Island by authorities at Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Andhra Pradesh, in the Godavari estuary where the Coringa River meets the Bay of Bengal. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1978. It has extensive mangrove and tropical dry deciduous forests, forming the second-largest mangrove stretch in India.

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A rare white female albino Himalayan tahr has been recorded in Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Bharmour, Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh. The sanctuary is the second largest in Himachal Pradesh and is known for its rich biodiversity and high-altitude ecosystem. Geographically, it lies between the Ravi and Chenab rivers and represents a high-altitude protected area. It is bordered by Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary in the south-east and Tundah Wildlife Sanctuary in the north-west.

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Snowy Owl has been granted international protection under the U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. It is a large white owl of the true owl family, mainly inhabiting Arctic tundra regions. It is found across Arctic areas of North America and Eurasia, and also in open habitats like grasslands and coastal dunes. Unlike most owls, it is active during both day and night and shows nomadic behaviour. It feeds on small mammals like lemmings and voles using a swooping hunting technique. According to International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is classified as Vulnerable.

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Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary has emerged as a notable success story of ecological revival in the fragile Shivalik Hills. It is located in Chandigarh, near Sukhna Lake, at the foothills of the Shivalik range. The lake was created by Le Corbusier by diverting the seasonal Sukhna Choe stream. The sanctuary was established in 1998 and developed through afforestation efforts aimed at soil conservation around the lake. The region is geographically fragile, with sandy Shivalik soil and clay pockets, making it highly prone to soil erosion during rains.

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A new plant species Stauranthera aureoglossa has been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh. It grows in mid-elevation evergreen forests of Kamle and Upper Subansiri districts. The plant is a perennial herb found on damp rocks near streams and rivulets. It has a bell-shaped, bluish-purple flower with no basal spur (tubular projection). A unique yellow, tongue-like patch is present inside the flower. The term “aureoglossa” means golden tongue, describing this feature. Leaves are diamond or spear-shaped.

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Recently, the forest department in Prayagraj launched the “Dolphin Friends” volunteer network to conserve the endangered Ganges river dolphin. It is a community-based initiative involving volunteers to monitor dolphin movement, breeding, and habitat conditions. The aim is to protect dolphins during sensitive periods, especially the monsoon breeding season. It promotes public awareness and local participation in conservation efforts. The initiative supports long-term protection of river ecosystems through regular monitoring and community involvement.

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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.