Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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Police rescued 16 Indian Softshell turtles from illegal wildlife trade in Jharcha, Greater Noida, highlighting ongoing trafficking concerns. The Indian softshell turtle is a freshwater turtle species native to South Asia. They are found in rivers, canals, ponds, and freshwater systems. They are distributed across major river basins like Indus, Ganga, and Mahanadi. They occurs in multiple Indian states (e.g., Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal) and also in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.

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Recently, the Nilgiris Collector visited a remote village inside Mudumalai Tiger Reserve to inspect polling facilities and ensure basic amenities for voters, highlighting governance outreach in forest interiors ahead of elections . The reserve is located in Tamil Nadu at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, and forms part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve. It shares boundaries with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Bandipur Tiger Reserve, making it an important ecological corridor.

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Annatto seeds are the world’s second most important natural colourant after caramel, and growers are seeking greater government support. Annatto is a natural food colour and flavouring obtained from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), which is native to tropical America and cultivated in Asia and Africa. The crop is rain-fed, eco-friendly, and requires minimal inputs like pesticides or fertilizers, making it suitable for sustainable agriculture. The characteristic red colour comes from carotenoids, natural plant pigments present in the seed coating.

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The Colorado River is a major river of North America, often called the “Lifeline of the Southwest.” It originates in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, United States, and flows about 1,450 miles (2,330 kilometres) into the Gulf of California in Mexico. The river flows through seven U.S. states and two Mexican states, draining a vast arid and semi-arid region. It also forms part of the international boundary between Arizona (USA) and Mexico. It forms major reservoirs such as Lake Mead and Lake Powell, crucial for water supply and hydropower. Recent research highlights changing hydrological patterns, explaining declining water levels in the river system.

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The government of Meghalaya has decided to exclude Lumpongdeng Island located in Umiam Lake from the proposed luxury resort project after protests by local communities and stakeholders. The Umiam Lake, also known as Barapani Lake, is a man-made reservoir located about 15 km north of Shillong and surrounded by the East Khasi Hills. The lake is formed by a dam built across the Umiam River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra River, with a capacity to generate about 60 MW of electricity.

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India has emerged as the evolutionary cradle of Jamun (genus Syzygium), with origins tracing back about 80 million years. Earlier, Jamun was believed to have originated in Australia or Southeast Asia, but new research suggests an East Gondwanan origin with early presence in India. Jamun belongs to the family Myrtaceae and is also known as black plum or Indian black cherry. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and widely distributed across Asia and Australia. India is a leading producer, with Maharashtra topping production. Bahadoli Jamun received GI tag in 2024, and cultivation is expanding across several states.

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Recently, the presence of the honey badger (ratel) was confirmed in the Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary. The honey badger is a small but extremely strong mammal belonging to the weasel family. It has a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, West Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Madhya Pradesh and is connected to Ratapani Tiger Reserve via wildlife corridors.

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Scientists recorded a rare orchid species named Eulophia picta for the first time in central Andhra Pradesh. It is a medium-to-small, hot-growing terrestrial orchid commonly called the Nodding Swamp Orchid. It is distributed from India to Southeast Asia and Australia, occurring in moist grasslands, sandy coastal areas, and rainforests. It also grows in semi-deciduous and dry lowland forests up to about 1000 m elevation.

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The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has begun the third synchronised survey of the Nilgiri Tahr. Nilgiri Tahr is a mountain ungulate endemic to the southern Western Ghats. It is also called Nilgiri Ibex and locally known as Varayaadu. It is the only mountain ungulate in southern India. It inhabits montane grasslands of the Western Ghats, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

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The Ministry of Environment has declared a 326.69 sq. km area around the Great Himalayan National Park as an eco-sensitive zone. The park is located in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh in the Western Himalayas. It includes four major valleys: Tirthan, Sainj, Parvati, and Jiwa Nal. The park is surrounded by protected areas like Pin Valley National Park and Rupi-Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary.