Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) recently released a satellite-data-based analysis on the expansion of glacial lakes in the catchments of Indian Himalayan river basins. The analysis uses long-term satellite imagery from 1984 to 2023 to show significant changes in the lakes. According to ISRO, 676 of the 2,431 lakes larger than 10 hectares identified in 2016-17 have expanded significantly since 1984. The analysis highlights the risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and their impact on infrastructure and settlements downstream of such lakes.

Notes:
Catatumbo lightning, a natural phenomenon over Venezuela’s Catatumbo River, occurs due to warm Caribbean air meeting cooler Andean air, creating towering cumulonimbus clouds charged with electricity. Lake Maracaibo’s proximity to the Andes and the Caribbean enhances this phenomenon. With up to 160 nights of lightning annually and 28 strikes per minute at its peak, the region earns the title “the lightning capital of the world.” Lake Maracaibo is Latin America’s largest and one of the oldest lakes.

Notes:
INCOIS, established in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, issues alerts to coastal states about rough seas, high waves, and inundation risks. It operates under ESSO, aiming to furnish oceanic data, information, and advisory services to various sectors. Its activities include round-the-clock monitoring and warning services for tsunamis, storm surges, and high waves, daily advisories for fisherfolk, and short-term ocean state forecasts. It also deploys Ocean Observing Systems to collect data and predict oceanic changes.

Notes:
The Mammoth Direct Air Capture and Storage (DAC+S) plant, operated by Climeworks in Iceland, is the world’s largest facility of its kind. It’s the second commercial DAC+S plant by Climeworks, dwarfing its predecessor, Orca. DAC+S technology captures CO2 directly from the atmosphere, distinct from capture at emission points. CO2 can be permanently stored underground or utilized. Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) activities are crucial for achieving net-zero CO2 emissions, as per the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report.

Notes:
Researchers have rediscovered Uniyala multibracteata, a rare tree species, after 140 years in the non-protected area of Wagamon hills, Western Ghats. Locally known as Kattupoovamkurunnila, it belongs to the genus Uniyala, named after renowned taxonomist B.P. Uniyal. This small tree or large shrub, 2 to 5 meters high, features leaves with cottony hairs and beautiful flowers blooming from October to January. Found in evergreen forests and rocky grasslands at 1,200 meters above sea level, it highlights the yet-to-be-discovered biodiversity in unprotected forests.

Notes:
A leopard cat, scientifically known as Prionailurus bengalensis, was sighted in Maharashtra’s Pench Tiger Reserve, marking its first appearance there. This forest-dwelling felid species is recognized for its leopard-like coat. Leopard cats are widely distributed across Asia, inhabiting various forested habitats. They exhibit diverse sizes and colorations, typically sporting four black stripes on their forehead. Solitary and nocturnal, they are categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
In Yellowstone National Park, scientists unearthed “giant” viruses dating back 1.5 billion years, with exceptionally large genomes. Despite the name, these viruses pose no threat to humans. They offer insights into Earth’s earliest single-cell organisms, shedding light on the conditions of early life. Found in hot springs, these viruses survive extreme environments, providing clues to ancient Earth. DNA samples from Lemonade Creek revealed 3,700 potential viruses, two-thirds of which were giant viruses. Yellowstone National Park is located in the United States, primarily in Wyoming, with 3% in Montana and 1% in Idaho. It was established in 1872 by the U.S. Congress as the world’s first national park and is one of the country’s most popular parks, with millions of visitors each year.

Notes:
World Bee Day, observed on May 20, marks Anton Janša’s birth anniversary, a beekeeping pioneer. Established by the UN in 2017, it highlights bees’ crucial roles in food security, biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture. The 2024 theme, “Bee engaged with Youth,” focuses on involving young people in bee conservation efforts to protect these essential pollinators.

Notes:
Wildlife authorities in Himachal Pradesh are conducting surveys to estimate the populations of blue sheep (bharal) and Himalayan ibex using the double-observer technique. Blue sheep, related to goats, inhabit the high Himalayas across several countries and are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. The Himalayan ibex, a subspecies of the Siberian ibex, resides in high-altitude regions and migrates to lower elevations in winter. Both face threats from poaching and livestock competition.

Notes:
The GSAP SKILLS Platform, launched at the Fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, Convention on Biological Diversity. It aims to bolster global species conservation efforts. Managed by IUCN, it connects decision-makers, practitioners, and experts, providing real-time updates and technical resources. Supported by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, and resources from the Tech4Nature Initiative by IUCN and Huawei, it facilitates collaboration and implements biodiversity targets with actionable interventions and tools.