Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The population of nesting birds has slightly increased in Bhitarkanika National Park. Bhitarkanika National Park is in Odisha’s Kendrapara district. It is located in the delta formed by the Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamara rivers.
The park covers 672 sq. km, making it India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem. It consists of mangrove forests, rivers, creeks, and tidal deltas, enriched by its proximity to the Bay of Bengal. The park’s species and vegetation are typical of tropical and subtropical intertidal regions. Bhitarkanika is Odisha’s second Ramsar site, after Chilika Lake.

Notes:
The Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is facing habitat stress due to an overpopulation of spotted deer, leading to relocation efforts to restore ecosystem balance. The spotted deer, also known as Chital, is the most common deer species in Indian forests. Its scientific name is Axis axis. It is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is widely found across Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and a small group in Pakistan.

Notes:
A rare weather event involving the collision of two cyclones caused massive tree flattening in Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, Telangana. The sanctuary is located near the Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana borders in Mulugu district. Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1952 by the Hyderabad Nizam Government, it spans 806 sq. km. The sanctuary is divided by the Dayyam Vagu water source, and the River Godavari also flows through it.

Notes:
Researchers recently studied the diversity of the Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia) across different regions using proteomic and biochemical methods. This venomous species is found widely in South and Southeast Asia and includes populations known as the “Indian spitting cobra” due to their ability to spit venom. Monocled cobras prefer wet habitats like paddy fields and mangroves but can also live in grasslands and human settlements. They are found in eastern and northeastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and other countries. They help maintain ecological balance by controlling pests like rats and mice. Their conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
Entomologists discovered a new species of potter wasp in Arunachal Pradesh, named Pseumenes siangensis. It belongs to the genus Pseumenes within the subfamily Eumeninae and is mainly found in the Oriental region. These solitary wasps build small, pot-like mud nests for their larvae. India has only reported one other species of this genus, making Pseumenes siangensis a significant addition to the country’s wasp diversity. The species was found in the Upper Siang District and named after Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh. At 30.2 mm in length, it has unique features and plays a role in controlling pest populations by feeding on caterpillars and insects.

Notes:
The Negro River, a main tributary of the Amazon, recently dropped to its lowest level in 122 years. It is one of the largest tributaries of the Amazon River and one of the world’s largest rivers by discharge. Originating from eastern Colombia, it flows through Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil before joining the Amazon at Manaus. The river spans about 1,400 miles, with 850 miles in Brazil. The river was named “Negro” for its dark water due to decomposed organic matter and tannins. It is the world’s largest blackwater river. The Central Amazon Ecological Corridor, a giant protected area, surrounds it.

Notes:
The population of Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur) in Gujarat increased from 6,082 in 2020 to 7,672 in 2024, a rise of 26.14%. The khur is a subspecies of the Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus), also known as the onager. It is primarily found in the Little Rann of Kutch (LRK), Gujarat. Little Rann of Kutch is both a wetland and desert, and the khur is a generalist herbivore. It is solitary and shy, classified as endangered by IUCN and listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Notes:
Five Russian mountaineers recently died on an expedition on Mount Dhaulagiri. Mount Dhaulagiri is the seventh-highest mountain in the world, with an elevation of 8,167 meters (26,795 feet). It is located in west-central Nepal, part of the Himalayan range, and is the highest mountain entirely in Nepal. Known for snowy peaks and glaciers, Dhaulagiri means “white mountain” in Sanskrit. The first successful climb was by Swiss climber Max Eiselin in 1960. The mountain is challenging due to its tough terrain and unpredictable weather.

Notes:
Ahmedabad University has launched The Climate Institute, focusing on research, education, and impact to address climate issues. The Institute is developing India’s first comprehensive Climate, Energy, and Environmental education program for future leaders. It operates in three areas: Energy and Climate Change, Cities and Settlements, and Air and Water, promoting interdisciplinary research and partnerships to inform policy design and innovation.

Notes:
The carcass of a nearly nine-year-old tigress, RVTR-2, was found in the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve in Bundi, Rajasthan. The reserve is located in southeastern Rajasthan and covers 1,501.89 sq. km, including a core area of 481.91 sq. km and a buffer area of 1,019.98 sq. km. It connects to Ranthambore and Mukundara Hills tiger reserves. Ramgarh Vishdhari was designated as a tiger reserve on May 16, 2022. The Mez River, a tributary of the Chambal, flows through it. The vegetation mainly consists of dry deciduous forests, with dominant flora including Dhok and Khair trees. The reserve is home to leopards, sloth bears, jungle cats, and various other wildlife.