Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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A new spider species named Dolomedes indicus was discovered in the evergreen rainforests of Western Ghats in Wayanad district, Kerala. It is the first recorded species of the Dolomedes genus, also called raft or fishing spiders, found in India. Unlike house spiders, it is an active semi-aquatic hunter that hunts on water surfaces. It senses vibrations using water surface tension and quickly jumps to catch insects or small fish. It can swim and dive in water.

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Chhattisgarh’s Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur district has been designated a Ramsar Site, becoming the state’s first wetland of international importance. Ramsar Sites are wetlands recognised under the Ramsar Convention, headquartered in Gland, Switzerland. The reservoir has both natural and man-made features and supports irrigation, water security, and diverse bird habitats. The proposal was submitted by the state government last month and approved by the Union government. The recognition will boost eco-tourism, local livelihoods, and awareness about wetland conservation.

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India’s resolution on “Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires” was adopted at the 7th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Kenya. The resolution received wide support from UN Member States, emphasizing global recognition of wildfire threats. India highlighted that wildfires are a pressing global environmental challenge, increasing in number, scale, and intensity beyond seasonal patterns. The resolution aims to enhance international cooperation and coordinated action for wildfire management. India referenced UNEP’s report “Spreading Like Wildfire”, warning wildfires could rise by 14% by 2030, 30% by 2050, and 50% by 2100 if trends continue.

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The Moei River, known as the Tonge Yin River in Myanmar, is an important river in northern Thailand and has recently been in the news as young men from Gujarat were lured across it into alleged cyber-fraud compounds in Myanmar. It is a tributary of the Salween River, joining it after flowing along the Thailand–Myanmar border. The river originates in the Tenasserim Hills, located in the Myanmar–Thailand border region. The Moei River acts as a natural international boundary between Thailand and Myanmar for a significant part of its course.

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Soil tests in Kuttanad paddy fields in Kerala showed increased aluminium concentration affecting rice cultivation. Kuttanad Wetland Agricultural System is unique as it supports rice farming below sea level. It is the only such below-sea-level rice cultivation system in India. The system consists of wetlands used for paddy farming and fish catching. This integrated system links agriculture, fisheries, and water management. The Kuttanad Below Sea-Level Farming System is recognised under Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).

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Archaeologists discovered India’s largest circular stone labyrinth in the Boramani grasslands of Solapur, Maharashtra. It is made of small stone blocks arranged in multiple circular rings. The rings guide movement inward to a tightly coiled central spiral, showing high precision and symbolic meaning. The structure is linked to Indo-Roman trade during the Satavahana dynasty period. Soil accumulated between the stone rings indicates it remained untouched for several centuries. Its design resembles Mediterranean labyrinths seen on Roman-era coins. The central spiral reflects the Indian concept of Chakravyūha, a complex military formation described in the Mahabharata.

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The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved the 260-megawatt Dulhasti Stage-II Hydropower Project. The approval was given by the Expert Appraisal Committee on hydel projects during its 45th meeting, enabling floating construction tenders for the project, estimated to cost over Rs 3,200 crore. The project is proposed on the Chenab River in Kishtwar District, Jammu and Kashmir. It is an extension of the existing 390-megawatt Dulhasti Stage-I Hydroelectric Project (Dulhasti Power Station).

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Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) recently released 15 critically endangered Indian vultures in Melghat Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra. Melghat Tiger Reserve is located in Maharashtra on the southern offshoot of the Satpura Range called Gavilgarh Hill. It was the first tiger reserve established in Maharashtra. The name Melghat means the confluence of several valleys reflecting its landscape. It is the catchment area of five Tapti River tributaries: Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga, and Dolar.

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The Senapati Forest Division launched Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) exercises to restore the Barak River watershed and support local livelihoods. The exercise was conducted at Saranamai village in Senapati district, Manipur, under the Barak catchment area. It involved community mapping of natural resources, land use, wealth status, matrix ranking, timelines, and Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. The exercise will provide baseline data for an action plan under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

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Parts of Dal Lake in Srinagar recently froze as the city recorded its coldest winter night, with temperatures well below freezing across the Kashmir Valley. Dal Lake is a mid-altitude urban freshwater lake located in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. It is surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains. The lake is vital for tourism and recreation and is called the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel.”