Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) dismissed a plea against the Musi Riverfront Development Project, clearing a key legal hurdle. The project aims to rejuvenate the polluted Musi River and develop it into an ecological, mobility, heritage, and economic corridor. The Musi River (also called Muchukunda) is a left-bank tributary of the Krishna River. It originates from Anantagiri Hills near Vikarabad and is formed by the confluence of Musa and Esi streams.

Notes:
A new plant species Fimbristylis wayanadensis has been discovered in the high-altitude regions of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot in India. It belongs to the group of sedges, which are grass-like plants characterized by triangular stems. The species was identified during a scientific expedition in the Wayanad district of Kerala. The name wayanadensis honours its place of discovery. It is found in transitional zones between rocky terrains and high-altitude grasslands, at elevations up to 1,900 meters.

Notes:
The Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh is reopening for tourism, marking a shift from conflict to conservation and eco-tourism. The reserve, along with Bhairamgarh and Pamed Wildlife Sanctuaries, forms the larger Indravati landscape. It has ecological connectivity with tiger reserves like Kawal Tiger Reserve, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, and Kanha Tiger Reserve. The Indravati River forms its northern and western boundary and an interstate border with Maharashtra.

Notes:
A New Delhi court convicted an art gallery owner for attempting to illegally export Shahtoosh shawls, made from the Tibetan Antelope. The Tibetan antelope (chiru) is a medium-sized migratory antelope, with males having horns and black leg stripes. It has a fine undercoat (Shahtoosh wool) beneath long guard hair, making it highly prized and endangered. It inhabits cold alpine and steppe regions of Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai (China), and Changthang (Ladakh, India). It is a migratory species, travelling up to 400 km between seasonal habitats. It is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
The Gauhati High Court directed the Assam government to respond to a petition regarding tree felling in the sanctuary without central forest clearance. Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the eastern fringe of Guwahati city, Assam. It was formed by merging South Amchang Reserve Forest, Amchang Reserve Forest, and Khanapara Reserve Forest. The sanctuary extends from the Brahmaputra River in the north to the forested hills of Meghalaya in the south.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Recently, Indian scientists discovered a new fanged frog species named Limnonectes motijheel in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal pradesh, highlighting rich biodiversity in Northeast India. It is a newly identified species belonging to the genus Limnonectes, which now has six known species in India. The frog is named after Motijheel Lake, an area known for high amphibian diversity. It belongs to the group called fanged frogs, where males possess small fang-like projections in the lower jaw, possibly used for feeding or territorial behaviour. These frogs are generally found across South and Southeast Asia and show unique reproductive traits.

Notes:
Cacti are desert plants known for thick fleshy stems and protective spines. New research suggests that cacti can form new species more rapidly than previously believed despite their slow growth. Cacti are mainly native to the deserts of North and South America and are highly adapted to hot, dry climates. They store large amounts of water in their stems, helping them survive long dry periods. Their stems have protective layers to reduce evaporation, while specialized roots quickly absorb rainwater. Most cacti possess a columnar shape that minimizes surface area and reduces water loss.

Notes:
Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary has come into focus due to concerns that the proposed Pranahita-Chevella barrage on the Pranahita River may affect the sanctuary area. Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. The sanctuary lies near the confluence of the Wardha River and Wainganga River. The Pranahita River flows along its western boundary. Seasonal flooding and water bodies such as Murgikunta, Raikonta, and Komatkunta tanks support the sanctuary’s biodiversity. The sanctuary is also inhabited by the indigenous Gond tribal community.