Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district of Assam is recording an early arrival of migratory birds with winter beginning. Birds are coming from Europe America and the Tibetan region attracting wildlife lovers. Pobitora is located in the eastern region of Guwahati, Assam, and lies near Mayong village known as the Black Magic capital of India. The sanctuary was established in 1998 and covers 48.81 sq km area. It includes Rajamayong Reserve Forest and Pobitora Reserve Forest. The region was once part of the Brahmaputra River floodplains and is known for rich flora and fauna

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The Patra River flows through Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. It was once known for its therapeutic qualities, and Raja Bhoj is said to have been cured of a severe ailment after bathing in it. The river originally functioned as a natural drainage system and carried freshwater into the Upper Lake (Bada Talab). Over time, rapid urbanisation, encroachment, and unregulated waste discharge severely degraded the river. Today, it has become a polluted drain, losing nearly all its ecological and cultural significance. Authorities and environmental experts are now focusing on its revival and restoration.

Notes:
A rare Striated Grassbird was recorded for the first time in Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary, marking a major range extension in Maharashtra. Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. The sanctuary lies between the Markhanda and Pedigundam hills with the Pranhita River along its western side. It is located near the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers.

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Armenia has unveiled the logo for COP17 to the Convention on Biological Diversity, featuring Polyommatus eriwanensis, a blue butterfly endemic to Yerevan. The logo appears with the slogan “Taking action for nature”, emphasizing the conference’s focus on moving from commitments to practical implementation. COP17, scheduled for October 2026, will host the first global review of countries’ implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which has 23 targets ranging from habitat protection to reforming subsidies harmful to biodiversity.

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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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Recently, an Eastern Imperial Eagle was confirmed visiting Mudumalai Tiger Reserve during the winter migratory season. The scientific name of the Eastern Imperial Eagle is Aquila heliaca. The species breeds in southeastern Europe and across West and Central Asia, with most populations migrating to northeastern Africa, the Middle East, and South and East Asia during winter. It is the second largest eagle in Europe, reaching about 0.92 meters in length, a wingspan of approximately 2.14 meters, and a weight of around 3.6 kilograms. According to the IUCN Red List, the Eastern Imperial Eagle is classified as Vulnerable.

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Ladakh’s double-humped Bactrian camels will debut at the 77th Republic Day parade, highlighting their unique heritage. Scientifically known as Camelus bactrianus, they are large even-toed ungulates called Ladakh’s “silent warriors”. They are native to Central Asia, ranging from Afghanistan to China, mainly in the Mongolian steppes and Gobi Desert. In India, small populations survive in the high-altitude cold desert of Nubra Valley, Ladakh. They are mainly herbivores and are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Notes:
During the All India Tiger Estimation 2026 survey, the Indian giant squirrel was sighted in the Atwan region of the Pune forest division. The Indian Giant Squirrel is also known as the Malabar Giant Squirrel and is a large rodent species native to India. It belongs to the category of tree squirrels and is adapted to living in forest canopies. It is among the largest squirrel species found in the world. The species is mainly distributed across the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and the Satpura Range. It is the state animal of Maharashtra and is locally known as Shekru.

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Researchers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu discovered two new rare ant fly species from India. The species are Metadon ghorpadei and Metadon reemeri of subfamily Microdontinae (Syrphidae). Their larvae live inside ant nests and feed on ant brood, a behaviour called myrmecophily. Metadon ghorpadei was found in Delhi’s northern ridge, a disturbed urban forest of the Aravalli range. Metadon reemeri was discovered in the Siruvani hills of the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. The discovery highlights the biodiversity value of urban forests and protected hotspots.

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Researchers discovered a new wildflower species named Lepidagathis konkanensis in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. It was found in Ratnagiri district during a floristic survey of lateritic plateaus, which are iron-rich and harsh habitats. The species is currently known from a very small area of less than 65 square kilometres. The name honours the Konkan region, which is isolated by the Arabian Sea and Sahyadri Mountains. Scientists recommend its status as Data Deficient under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).