Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) demands Assam’s Chief Secretary to identify officers responsible for allowing construction activities in Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary. Established in 1998, the sanctuary lies in Assam’s Sonitpur district, adjacent to the Great Himalayan Range. Its climate is subtropical, prone to heavy rains and flooding from rivers like Burhi Dihing and Namchang. NGT seeks accountability for jeopardizing this protected habitat.

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A recent study in Nature, titled ‘The rise of baobab trees in Madagascar’, sheds light on the origins and spread of baobabs, deciduous trees found in Madagascar, Africa, and Australia. These trees, known for their towering stature up to 50 meters and longevity of up to 2,000 years, face threats. Baobabs also exist in India, with a notable 400-year-old tree near Golconda Fort in Andhra Pradesh.

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Six people, including two children, drowned after their boat capsized in the Ujani Dam backwaters in Pune, Maharashtra. Ujani Dam, located on the Bhima River near Ujjani village in Solapur, is an earth-fill cum masonry gravity dam. Constructed from 1977 to 1980, it serves irrigation and hydroelectric power needs. The dam is 63 meters high, 2,534 meters long, and has a 12MW power generation capacity, but suffers from severe water pollution.

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The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has initiated a three-day elephant census at Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, located at the junction of Eastern and Western Ghats in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It spans 1,411.6 sq km, declared a tiger reserve in 2013, fostering a continuous habitat for tigers and other wildlife. The reserve boasts the world’s largest tiger population, over 280 tigers, and is home to indigenous tribes like the Irula and Kurumba.

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A new plant species, Stellaria mcclintockiae, was discovered on the muddy slopes of Kerala’s Nelliyampathy hills, at elevations of 1,250-1,400 meters. This annual herb, growing up to 15 cm tall, belongs to the genus Stellaria (family Caryophyllaceae). It features distinct petals, pollen morphology, bracts, sepals, and seed architecture. As the first Stellaria species found in South India, researchers recommend it be classified as critically endangered.

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A study reveals Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier, known as the “Doomsday Glacier,” is highly vulnerable to warming oceans. Roughly the size of Britain, it holds enough water to raise sea levels by over half a meter. Melting at a rate contributing 4% to global sea level rise annually, its significance lies in slowing ice flow into the ocean. Thwaites underscores Antarctica’s critical role in climate dynamics and the urgent need for environmental action.

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Distinguished Indian wildlife conservationist and biologist A J T Johnsingh passed away at 78 in Bengaluru on June 7, 2024. Born in Tamil Nadu’s Western Ghats, he was influenced by Jim Corbett’s tales. Johnsingh joined the Wildlife Institute of India and played key roles in tiger conservation and various organizations. His research focused on diverse species, and he authored over 70 scientific papers and 80 popular articles on wildlife conservation.

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New research reveals Australia’s pink garnet sand originated from Antarctic mountains. Garnet, a deep red mineral formed in high-temperature conditions, is rare in beach sand due to wave erosion. Found in metamorphic and igneous rocks, garnets are often opaque to translucent. Australia produces nearly half of the world’s garnets, used in abrasives, grinding wheels, and decorative applications. Garnet-rich sand typically also contains epidote and magnetite.

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Environmental organizations recently urged the Forest department to maintain transparency in a project to extract Senna spectabilis from Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. Senna spectabilis, a legume family tree native to South and Central America, is invasive in India. Known for its bright yellow flowers and resilience, it was introduced for shade and fuelwood but now threatens native species due to its dense foliage. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

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Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, nestled in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, boasts rich biodiversity including rare species like the brown palm civet, recently discovered by the Discover Koyna group. Endemic to the Western Ghats, these civets play a crucial role in seed dispersal, promoting native rainforest growth. A 2021 study highlighted their habitat spanning 21,853 sq km across the Ghats, with significant populations in Anamalai, Nilgiris, and other reserves. The sanctuary, integral to the UNESCO-listed Western Ghats, houses diverse flora like teak and wildlife such as Indian bison and leopards. It’s closely associated with the Koyna Dam, a vital water source in Maharashtra.