Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Amid controversy over reducing its boundary, the Forest Minister recently visited Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary to assess the situation. The sanctuary is located in Shimoga (Shivamogga) district of Karnataka and covers about 395.6 square kilometres. The Tunga Anicut Dam lies within the sanctuary and supports otters and several water bird species. Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is part of Shettihalli and is a major bird nesting site on an island in the Tunga River. The area has tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, dry deciduous, and moist deciduous forests.

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Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered two new marine worm species, Namalycastis solenotognatha and Nereis dhritiae, from the West Bengal coast. Namalycastis solenotognatha is named from Greek words meaning “channeled jaw,” referring to its unique jaw with many canals. This species survives in extreme, sulfide-rich, foul-smelling mudflats, mainly on decomposing mangrove wood and hardened clay. Nereis dhritiae is named after Dhriti Banerjee, the first woman Director of ZSI. It lives inside wooden dock piles on sandy beaches submerged during high tide.

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A new trapdoor spider species, Titanidiops kolhapurensis, was discovered in the grasslands of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. It was found by researchers from Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Shivaji University, Kolhapur. The spider creates vertical or slanted burrows in flat or sloping grassy meadows. Its burrow entrances are highly camouflaged, blending with soil and grass. The species thrives in natural forests and native grasslands. It is absent in areas dominated by exotic plantations like Gliricidia sepium (Undirmari). Due to rapid habitat degradation, it faces the risk of local extinction.

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The Jharkhand Tourism Minister launched a jungle safari and laid the foundation for 30 eco-cottages at Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary. Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is located in East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. It lies around the Dalma Hills on the Chotanagpur Plateau. The sanctuary is named after “Dalma Mai,” a local goddess worshipped by nearby communities. Its forests fall within the catchment of the Subarnarekha River and Dimna Lake near Jamshedpur.

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Researchers confirmed a new dragonfly species named Lyriothemis keralensis from the low-lying coastal regions of Kerala. It is commonly called the Slender Bombardier and belongs to the genus Lyriothemis. It was identified as a separate species after detailed comparison with its Northeast Indian relative Lyriothemis acigastra. The species has a slender abdomen, uniquely shaped tail, and distinct genital structures. It appears during the monsoon season and disappears as rainfall decreases.

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Researchers discovered a new plant species named Tetrataenium paikadae in the high-altitude grasslands of Idukki district, Kerala. It was found inside Eravikulam National Park in the Western Ghats. The plant belongs to the Apiaceae family, which includes common plants like carrot and coriander. It grows in moist, marshy grasslands at elevations of 1,000 to 2,500 metres above sea level. It was identified as a new species based on the unique number and arrangement of oil tubes in its fruits.

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The Tamsa River, an important tributary of the Ganga River, flows through Ambedkar Nagar, Ayodhya and Azamgarh districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh. In Azamgarh, the river was revitalised under the Namami Gange Programme through coordinated administrative action and strong community participation. A structured plan covered an 89 kilometre stretch across 111 Gram Panchayats, focusing on desilting, garbage removal, and clearing illegal encroachments. Vacant riverbank land was identified and fruit-bearing trees were planted to support ecological restoration and provide economic benefits to Gram Panchayats.

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Futala Lake, also called Telankhedi Lake, is a man-made lake in western Nagpur, Maharashtra. It is more than 200 years old and was built in the 18th century during the Bhonsle dynasty rule. It was created to supply water to nearby villages and farmlands. The lake spreads over about 60 acres and is one of the largest lakes in Nagpur. It is surrounded by forest on three sides and a landscaped beach on one side. Recently, it is facing problems due to untreated sewage and increasing pollution.

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Recently, smooth-coated otters were officially recorded for the first time in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary by the Uttarakhand Forest Department. Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Uttarakhand. It lies in the Terai Arc Landscape and forms part of the Shivalik Elephant Reserve. It connects the landscapes of Jim Corbett National Park and Rajaji National Park in the west with Pilibhit-Dudwa and the Terai region of Nepal in the east.

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Recent study shows lion-tailed macaque population is stable and increasing in some plantation-dominated areas.
Lion-tailed macaque is an endemic primate of Western Ghats. International Union for Conservation of Nature status is Endangered. It is called bearded monkey due to grey mane and has lion-like tail. It is found in evergreen rainforests of southern Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Two genetically distinct groups exist on either side of Palghat Gap.