Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The National Board for Wildlife has postponed approval for oil exploration in Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary. This sanctuary is home to the Hoolock Gibbon, the only apes found in India. There are two types of Hoolock Gibbons: the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) and the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys). The western hoolock gibbon has a wider range, found in all northeastern states. The eastern hoolock gibbon is located in specific areas of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The western hoolock is classified as Endangered, while the eastern hoolock is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

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A new genus of jumping spiders, ‘Tenkana,’ was discovered across southern India. The genus includes two known species and a new species, Tenkana jayamangali, from Karnataka. The name “Tenkana” comes from Kannada, meaning “south,” reflecting its southern India and northern Sri Lanka presence. Tenkana belongs to the Plexippina subtribe, distinct from related genera like Hyllus and Telamonia. These spiders prefer dry, ground habitats and are found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

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The Karnataka Forest Department is urged to reject the Barachukki mini-hydel project, which would divert forest land in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary’s Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1987, spans 1027.535 sq. km across Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Ramanagar districts in Karnataka. The Cauvery River runs through the sanctuary, which is bordered by Tamil Nadu to the east and northeast. The sanctuary features South Indian dry deciduous forests, dominated by teak and sandalwood trees.

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The 8th Uttarakhand Bird Festival was held at Benog Wildlife Sanctuary near Mussoorie from October 18 to 20, featuring 95 bird species and 22 butterfly species. Notable birds spotted include the Yellow-rumped Honeyguide, Long-tailed Broadbill, Immaculate Cupwing, Black-faced Warbler, and Green-winged Teal. The Yellow-rumped Honeyguide sighting is unusual, as it typically lives at higher elevations. Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1993, is located 11 km from Mussoorie in Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region. It is part of Rajaji National Park, situated on pine-clad slopes and surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

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Researchers reported a 4% increase in the North Atlantic right whale population since 2020, following a 25% decline from 2010 to 2020. These migratory whales spend winters in warmer waters and migrate to the poles in late summer. They inhabit temperate and subpolar waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. Right whales are often found near bays and peninsulas in shallow, coastal waters, mainly along the East Coast of the United States and Canada. They feed by skimming plankton at or just below the water’s surface. Conservation status: IUCN lists North Atlantic right whales as critically endangered.

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Panje Wetland in Navi Mumbai, a 289-hectare site, has dried up due to blocked tidal flow, despite state orders to maintain it. It is located in Uran taluka, Maharashtra. Panje is a major migratory bird site and one of the best birding locations in the state. It hosts 50 bird species, with around 30 migratory species like flamingos, Northern Pintail, and Ruddy Turnstone. The wetland supports local fishing communities, who are now facing diminishing resources due to its drying.

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Botanists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) identified a new flowering plant species, Dicliptera srisailamica, in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The plant, named after the temple town of Srisailam, belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It was found in rare patches along stream banks and rocky edges near waterfalls. The plant grows up to 90 cm with four-angled stems, ovate leaves, and pink bi-lipped flowers blooming from October to January. This discovery adds to India’s plant diversity, with Dicliptera representing 27 species, eight of which are endemic.

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The UAE launched the “Global Energy Efficiency Alliance” at COP29 in Azerbaijan to double global energy efficiency by 2030. This initiative, following the ‘UAE Consensus’ from COP28, unites countries, organizations, and corporations to cut emissions and manage resources sustainably. The UAE will lead by sharing energy efficiency expertise, promoting partnerships with the private sector, and standardizing best practices. The alliance aims to foster public-private collaborations and attract investments in energy efficiency. It will help African countries by providing financing options and technology solutions crucial for sustainable energy development.

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Researchers in Meghalaya’s subtropical forests discovered two new feather mite species: Trouessartia thalassina and Proterothrix sibillae. Trouessartia thalassina was found on the Verditer Flycatcher, named for its sea-green plumage; it has unique semi-ovate structures in males and non-sclerotized lacunae in females. Proterothrix sibillae, found on the Small Niltava, is larger and named after naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian. Feather mites are microscopic arachnids that feed on oils and debris in bird feathers, usually benefiting their hosts but sometimes turning parasitic. They spread through close bird contact, especially during nesting.

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The Polavaram Multipurpose Project has sparked disputes among Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana over its potential impacts. The Polavaram Multipurpose Project is located on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. It aims to support irrigation, drinking water supply, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control. The project was conceived in 1980 on the Godavari River to address irrigation and power needs. Odisha raises concerns about the submergence of 162 villages and impacts on tribal populations. Chhattisgarh worries about environmental damage and submergence downstream. Telangana questions the project’s feasibility and its ecological and water resource impact. Odisha seeks a new backwater study, but the Central Water Commission has denied it.