Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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A rare sighting of the Common Bronzeback Tree Snake was recorded in the Belrayan range of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh. Scientifically known as Dendrelaphis tristis, it is a non-venomous arboreal snake found across South and Southeast Asia. The species inhabits forests, Himalayan foothills, gardens, and urban green spaces, preferring life in treetops. It is also known as the Indian Bronzeback Tree Snake or Daudin’s Bronzeback. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species is classified as Least Concern.

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A male Western Hoolock Gibbon in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary successfully crossed newly installed canopy bridges over a railway line for the first time. The canopy bridges were installed to reduce habitat fragmentation and improve safe movement of arboreal wildlife. The Western Hoolock Gibbon is the smallest and fastest ape species and is found mainly in northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the species is classified as Endangered.

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Data from NASA’s GRACE Satellites shows that the Tigris-Euphrates River Basin is losing freshwater reserves at the second-fastest rate in the world after northern India. The Euphrates River is the longest river in Western Asia and flows through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. It originates in eastern Turkey from the confluence of the Karasu and Murat rivers and later joins the Tigris River to form the Shatt al-Arab, which empties into the Persian Gulf. The river supported ancient Mesopotamian civilizations including Babylon, Ur, Uruk, and Nippur.

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National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management recently completed documentation and ground-truthing of most wetlands in Maharashtra. It was established in 2011 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as an autonomous institution for coastal conservation and management. Its headquarters is located in Chennai. The organisation promotes integrated and sustainable management of coastal and marine ecosystems for the welfare of coastal communities.

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Researchers discovered a new species of toad named Duttaphrynus dhara in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The species prefers forest-edge and semi-natural habitats. It is a small forest-associated toad with a compact body, wider head, and rough skin covered with pointed keratinised warts. The toad has a brown body with black patches, dark fingers and toes, and a creamy white underside with black blotches. It differs from closely related species such as Duttaphrynus stuarti and Duttaphrynus chandai.

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Recently, the Pennar River was in the news due to its extremely low water levels despite other rivers in Andhra Pradesh flowing with abundant water. The Pennar River (also known as Penna, Pinakini, or Penneru) flows through Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The name Penna is derived from the Telugu word Pennu, meaning silt, due to the large amount of silt carried by the river. It originates in the Nandi Hills.

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Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered two new species of hoverflies: Eristalinus sapphirinus and Eristalinus brunettii. The species were discovered in the Gangetic Plains of West Bengal. Eristalinus sapphirinus is named after its distinctive sapphire-blue metallic coloration. Eristalinus brunettii is named in honor of entomologist Enrico Adelelmo Brunetti. The discovery increases the known diversity of the Eristalinus genus in India.

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Recently, the Punjab Forest Department prepared a ₹5.36-crore development plan for the Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Rupnagar district, Punjab. The sanctuary lies near the Sutlej River in the foothills of the Shivalik Range. It is characterized by dry deciduous forests.

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Researchers recently discovered a new species of soil-dwelling termite, Pseudocapritermes novus, in the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary of West Bengal. Unlike destructive termites, it is a soil-feeding termite that plays an important role in soil formation, nutrient recycling, and maintaining ecosystem health. These termites feed on soil and humus, making them valuable indicators of soil fertility and ecosystem quality. The discovery increases the number of Pseudocapritermes species recorded in India to five. The species belongs to a group of termites known for their asymmetrical snapping jaws, which produce clicking sounds for defence and alarm communication.

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Scientists recently discovered the physical mechanism behind the snapping action of the Venus flytrap. The study found that when the trap is stimulated, the outer cell walls rapidly soften by about 30–40%, making the tissue flexible and releasing internal stress that causes the trap to snap shut. Venus flytrap is a small perennial carnivorous plant belonging to the sundew family. It is native to North Carolina and South Carolina in the United States. The plant grows in moist, acidic, nutrient-poor soil and captures insects to obtain nutrients.