Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Little Gull, a bird native to Eurasia, was spotted for the first time in NCR. It is the world’s smallest gull species, measuring 25–30 cm in length with a wingspan of 61–78 cm and weighing 68–162 g. The bird belongs to the Laridae family and is migratory, breeding in northern Europe and wintering in coastal regions of western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the northeast US. It inhabits seacoasts, estuaries, lakes, rivers, and marshes. It is classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.

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Researchers from Virginia Tech tagged a young shortfin mako shark in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time in summer 2023. The shark, a critically endangered species, was tagged during a white shark research expedition. The tag, called a “pop-off archival tag,” collects data on water temperature, depth, and light levels, estimating the shark’s movements. The tagged shark traveled over 750 miles in 54 days, showing young sharks cover vast distances. Protecting nursery areas alone may not suffice due to their extensive travels. Sharks are vital for ocean health, connecting habitats and supporting ecosystem balance, benefiting human activities.

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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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A team from Bengaluru-based Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) discovered five new species of Darwin wasps from India and Thailand. These parasitoid wasps parasitize insects like moths, beetles, and ants. They have a head, thorax, abdomen, six legs, and large compound eyes. Females lay eggs on host larvae or pupae. Some use their ovipositors to drill into wood. The wasps help control crop-damaging pests like aphids and caterpillars. Four new species were found in India: Microleptes chiani (Tamil Nadu), Microleptes gowrishankari (Karnataka), Microleptes sandeshkaduri (Arunachal Pradesh), and Microleptes tehriensis (Uttarakhand).

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Researchers have identified Stellaria bengalensis, an annual herb, in Kalimpong, West Bengal. It grows at altitudes of 2,245-2,450 meters in muddy soil slopes, similar to Stellaria mcclintockiae found in Kerala earlier this year. Stellaria bengalensis is an annual herb, 8-10.5 cm tall, with white flowers, no bracts, and sharp, pointed seeds. India has about 22 Stellaria species, mostly in the Himalayas, and the new species is currently assessed as ‘data deficient’ by IUCN.

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Sultanpur National Park in Gurugram, Haryana, plans to develop two water bodies to attract migratory flamingoes from the nearby Najafgarh wetland. The park is a popular bird sanctuary and a haven for bird watchers. It hosts both migratory and resident birds, especially during the winter season.

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India’s first organic fisheries cluster was launched in Sikkim’s Soreng District, promoting sustainable fish farming without harmful chemicals. The cluster focuses on sustainable fish farming, avoiding harmful chemicals and pesticides. It aims to protect aquatic ecosystems and cater to the rising demand for organic fish products in domestic and international markets. The project is part of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY).

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Major Wall Street banks have exited the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, a prominent group in global finance. The Alliance, led by banks and convened by the UN, commits members to align lending, investments, and capital activities with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) convenes the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). It is governed by a Steering Group, including member banks, UNEP FI Secretariat, and the UN. Banks in the alliance commit to transitioning GHG emissions in their portfolios and setting 2030 and 2050 targets with updates every five years. Members must annually publish emissions data. No Indian bank is currently part of this alliance.

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Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), SJVN Ltd., GMR Energy Ltd., and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to develop the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project in Nepal. The project, located on the Karnali River, is a run-of-the-river hydropower initiative. It will supply electricity to Nepal, India, and Bangladesh for 25 years under a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model. It will generate 3,466 million units of electricity and reduce two million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

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Australopithecus had a plant-based diet, as shown by isotope data from 3.5-million-year-old fossils in South Africa. Australopithecus, an extinct genus of primates, lived between 4.4 million and 1.4 million years ago during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs. Fossils were found in eastern, north-central, and southern Africa; the name means “southern ape.” The famous “Lucy” fossil from Ethiopia dates to 3.2 million years ago. They combined human-like traits (upright walking, small canines) with ape-like features (flat nose, small brain, strong arms).