Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

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A new spider species named Dolomedes indicus was discovered in the evergreen rainforests of Western Ghats in Wayanad district, Kerala. It is the first recorded species of the Dolomedes genus, also called raft or fishing spiders, found in India. Unlike house spiders, it is an active semi-aquatic hunter that hunts on water surfaces. It senses vibrations using water surface tension and quickly jumps to catch insects or small fish. It can swim and dive in water.

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Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered two new jumping spider species — Asemonea dentis and Colyttus nongwar — in Meghalaya. Both belong to the Salticidae family known for sharp vision, fast reflexes and hunting by stalking instead of web-making. Asemonea dentis is only the third Indian species of its genus, named for a tooth-like projection on the male; males are greenish-brown with a pale-yellow V-shape and females are creamy white with black marks. Colyttus nongwar is the second Indian species of its genus, named after Nongwar village; both sexes have a reddish-brown oval body with creamy bands and chevron patches.

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A new study revealed that over 60,000 African penguins died from starvation between 2004 and 2011 due to a collapse in sardine stocks. The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is a flightless species adapted to marine life in southern African waters. They live mostly within 40 km of the shore, using coastal habitats for breeding, resting and moulting. Their distribution mainly covers Namibia and South Africa’s Atlantic coast. The species has an average wild lifespan of 20 years. Global warming is severely damaging their marine and coastal habitats. The IUCN lists the African penguin as Critically Endangered.

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Rare migratory Pallas’s Gull (Great Black-headed Gull) was spotted again in Udhwa Bird Sanctuary, Jharkhand after nearly 10 years. It is the world’s largest black-headed gull and the third-largest gull species globally. It breeds in marshes and islands from southern Russia to Mongolia. It migrates in winter to the Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Peninsula, and India. It prefers wetlands, salt lakes, lagoons, and slow-flowing rivers as its habitat. It is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization) reported a global crackdown on illegal wildlife and forestry trade in 2025. The operation ran from 15 September to 15 October 2025 across 134 countries. Police, customs, border security, forestry and wildlife agencies worked together. A total of 4,640 seizures were made in one month. More than 30,000 live animals, protected plants, timber and spices were seized. The crackdown was called Operation Thunder 2025 and was led by Interpol with the World Customs Organization. Authorities seized ivory, rhino horns, pangolin scales, reptiles, birds, insects, plants and illegal timber. Interpol warned that wildlife crime is worth up to 20 billion US dollars yearly and linked to other serious crimes.

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The Government has declared the Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh as an Eco-Sensitive Zone. The initiative aims to develop the sanctuary as a responsible ecotourism destination and strengthen biodiversity. The sanctuary is located in Gonda District, Uttar Pradesh. The sanctuary covers 1,084 hectares and includes two lakes, Parvati and Arga, situated about 1.5 km apart.

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Bihar government approved a revised proposal to notify Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve. The proposal will be sent to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for final clearance. Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest sanctuary in Bihar with rich biodiversity and dense forests. It is located in Kaimur and Rohtas districts within the Kaimur Range. The area covers parts of the Kaimur Plateau and Rohtas Plateau.

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A new hedgehog species, Brandt’s hedgehog, has been discovered for the first time in India in Jammu and Kashmir through Deoxyribonucleic Acid analysis and morphological studies. Brandt’s hedgehog is a desert hedgehog scientifically known as Paraechinus hypomelas. It is native to the Middle East and Central Asia, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan. The species lives in arid and semi-arid habitats such as rocky deserts, scrublands, and dry mountain slopes. It is listed as Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.

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India’s pygmy hog is the smallest and rarest species of wild pig in the world and is rapidly vanishing from its grasslands. It is one of the few mammals that builds its own nest with a roof for shelter. The species serves as an indicator of grassland health, reflecting the condition of its primary habitat. Pygmy hogs prefer undisturbed riverine grasslands with dense tall grasses, herbs, shrubs, and young trees. Currently, they are found only in Assam’s Manas and Orang National Parks. The species is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

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India added two new wetlands to its Ramsar network ahead of World Wetlands Day. Patna Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh has freshwater marshes, woodlands, and grasslands, supporting high biodiversity. It is designated an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by BirdLife International. Chhari-Dhand Wetland in Kutch, Gujarat, is a seasonal saline wetland between Banni grasslands and salt flats.