Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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India issued a formal notice on August 30, 2024, to review and modify the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) under Article XII (3). The move reflects India’s need for sustainable water resources to meet growing domestic demands and support clean energy development. Article XII allows treaty modifications but requires high-level agreements, making changes challenging. Previous attempts to modify water-sharing, like the Kishenganga arbitration in 2013, show that reaching consensus with Pakistan is difficult. The Kishanganga River, called the Neelum River in Pakistan, is a tributary of the Jhelum River. It flows through Jammu and Kashmir before joining the Jhelum in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

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A new tiger has been spotted in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, boosting wildlife tourism. The reserve is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of the Western Ghats and covers 741.22 sq. km. It was formed in 2007 by merging Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park. The reserve includes the Shivsagar and Vasant Sagar reservoirs. Historically, it dates back to the Maratha Empire, with forts linked to Shivaji Maharaj. The terrain is steep with rocky plateaus, thorny bushes, and minimal anthropogenic influence, supporting rich vegetation.

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The rare Scarlet Tanager was recently seen in the UK for the first time in 40 years. It is native to North America. Its scientific name is Piranga olivacea. It breeds in deciduous forests and migrates to tropical forests in Central and South America for winter. The bird is medium-sized, about seven inches long, with a large head, short tail, and thick bill for catching insects and fruit. Males are bright red with black wings and tails in summer; females and young are olive-yellow. Its song resembles a “robin with a cold,” and its call is a distinctive “chip-burr.”

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Researchers found meter-high chimneys on the Dead Sea floor formed by crystallized minerals from high-salt groundwater. The Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea, is a saline lake between Jordan and Israel. Its eastern shore lies in Jordan, and the western shore is divided between Israel and the West Bank. It is one of the saltiest water bodies globally, with 34.2% salinity, making swimming feel like floating. The lake has no outlet, so water mainly evaporates, leaving it devoid of life except for algae and microorganisms.

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Madhya Pradesh officially declared Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as a Ratapani Tiger Reserve under Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. Ratapani, now the state’s eighth tiger reserve, has an estimated 90 tigers. It spans Raisen and Sehore districts, serving as a critical tiger habitat linked to the Satpura ranges. Encroachments and lack of prey led to tiger-human conflicts, increasing the need for conservation. The delay in declaration, despite NTCA approval in 2008, prompted a PIL by a wildlife activist. Projects like coal plants and railway lines threaten the reserve’s ecosystem, raising concerns for its biodiversity.

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The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) launched its 2030 Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands (GSRD). The initiative is led by CGIAR centers International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). The initiative focuses on food security, biodiversity conservation, and resilient livelihoods. It targets 2.7 billion people living in drylands, especially in Asia and Africa. The strategy was launched at COP16 in Riyadh, after consultations with national research organizations, governments, private sector, and civil society. It aims to address the specific needs of different dryland regions and enhance sustainability and resilience in these areas.

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A new glacier was discovered in Uttarakhand’s Niti Valley, near the India-Tibet border. The glacier, about 10 km long and 48 sq km in size, is located next to the Randolph and Rekana glaciers. The discovery was made by scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology using satellite data. The glacier is ‘surging,’ meaning it is rapidly expanding in size. The phenomenon could be caused by hydrological imbalance, weakening the ice layers.

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Researchers discovered a new predatory amphipod species, Dulcibella camanchaca, in the Atacama Trench off northern Chile. The Atacama Trench, located in the eastern South Pacific Ocean, reaches depths over 8,000 meters. Dulcibella camanchaca belongs to the Eusiridae family and represents a new genus. It is larger than similar species, measuring just under 4 cm, with pale coloration for survival in dark environments. DNA barcoding confirmed its distinct genetic lineage. Unlike scavengers, it preys on other amphipods, playing a key role in the deep-sea food web. The genus name is inspired by Don Quixote, and “camanchaca” refers to darkness.

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The Malayan Night Heron, a migratory bird from Southeast Asia, was recorded in Madurai near the Alagar Kovil hills for the first time. This medium-sized heron has reddish-brown plumage, a black crown and crest, black underwings, a stout bill, and a short neck. It inhabits forests, streams, and marshes, migrating to India during the winter season. Although typically nocturnal, it can also be active during the day and is generally solitary. It roosts in trees and feeds in open areas. Its IUCN conservation status is Least Concern.

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The Gympie-Gympie, or Dendrocnide moroides, is the world’s most toxic plant, native to Australia. It can grow up to 10 meters tall and has needle-like hairs that cause excruciating stings. The sting feels like electrocution and burning, and the pain can last weeks or months, sometimes up to a year. The plant’s toxins worsen with water or temperature changes. Expert care is provided, and visitors are warned not to touch it.