Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Recently, a plan was prepared to adjust the boundary of the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) of Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to possibly reopen over 50 marble and dolomite mines closed by a Supreme Court order in 2023 due to their closeness to the protected area. Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in Rajasthan and lies within the Aravalli mountain range, which is the world’s oldest. The reserve is known for heritage sites like Pandu Pol, Bhangarh Fort, Ajabgarh, Pratapgarh, Siliserh Lake, and Jai Samand Lake.

Notes:
Recently, Kerala’s Western Ghats became home to India’s first butterfly sanctuary after the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur was renamed as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary on 18 June 2025 by the Kerala State Wildlife Board. The sanctuary covers 55 square kilometers of tropical and semi-evergreen forests and hosts over 266 species of butterflies, more than 80% of all species in Kerala. Some butterfly species found here are unique or endangered, and between October and February, the sanctuary sees a vibrant butterfly migration, especially of the Common Albatross.

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Recently, a tigress and her four cubs were found dead in Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary. Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. It is connected to Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. The forests here are mainly dry deciduous, with some moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen and shola forests at different heights.

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Recently, the Union Ministry of Environment approved funding for a pilot scheme called ‘Tigers Outside of Tiger Reserves’ to reduce human-tiger conflicts. The scheme aims to improve protection, monitoring, and conflict management in areas where tigers live outside protected tiger reserves. It is supported by the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), which gave in-principle approval for one year of pilot implementation. The scheme has a total budget of ₹88 crore until 2026–27. It is based on data showing that around 30% of India’s tiger population lives outside official reserves.

Notes:
A rare partially white laughing dove was recently seen in Nagamalai hillock forest near Nambiyur in Erode, Tamil Nadu. Laughing Dove is a small pigeon also known as little brown dove, laughing turtle dove, palm dove, and Senegal dove. It is a resident breeder in Africa, the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It lives in dry scrub and semi-desert areas and feeds on the ground.

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Recently, activists and organisations urged the Telangana government to reconsider the plan to develop new islands under the Bhadrakali Lake beautification project. Bhadrakali Lake is an artificial lake located in Warangal, Telangana. It spans about 32 acres and stretches 2 km in length. The lake was built in the 12th century by Ganapati Deva of the Kakatiya dynasty. It is linked to the Maneru Dam through the Kakatiya Canal and was formed as a drinking water source.

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A rare electric-blue bird called Grandala was recently spotted in Sainj Valley, Himachal Pradesh. Grandala belongs to the thrush family called Turdidae. It is the only species in the genus Grandala. It is an arboreal insectivore, meaning it lives in trees and eats insects. It is found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tibet, and China. It lives in alpine and subalpine regions at 3,000 to 5,000 meters altitude.

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For the first time, a consignment of 1.5 metric tonnes of Halman apricots has been sent to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. Halman apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a premium variety found in Ladakh. It was introduced over a century ago from China or Central Asia. It is abundantly grown in the Sham region of Ladakh including Dha-Hanu, Garkhon, Skurbuchan, Domkhar, Wanla, Khaltse, and Timosgang villages. It is renowned for rich flavor, versatility, and role in Ladakhi cuisine, medicine, and rituals. Nutritionally, it is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron, dietary fiber, and antioxidants.

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The population of saltwater crocodiles has increased in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR), as per a recent survey by the State Forest Department. Saltwater crocodile is the largest and heaviest living reptile in the world. It is also called estuarine crocodile, Indo-Pacific crocodile, marine crocodile, sea crocodile, or saltie. It is an opportunistic hypercarnivorous apex predator. It is native to saltwater habitats and brackish wetlands from India’s east coast to Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and Micronesia. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
A recent report by the North American Environmental Commission criticised Mexico for failing to protect the endangered vaquita porpoise, with only 10 left. Vaquita is the smallest member of the porpoise family and the most endangered marine mammal in the world. It lives only in the northern part of the Gulf of California, with the smallest range of any whale, dolphin, or porpoise. It is usually found in shallow waters up to 50 metres deep. It is classified as Critically Endangered under International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).