Environment & Biodiversity Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The latest crocodile census shows an increase in crocodile population in Similipal National Park of Odisha, highlighting successful wildlife conservation. Similipal National Park is located in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha and covers about 2,750 square kilometres. The park is named after the Simul or silk cotton tree found in large numbers. It is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Sanctuary, Biosphere Reserve, and part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve.

Notes:
The Finke River, called Larapinta by the Arrernte people, is believed to be the world’s oldest river system. It is a major but intermittent river located in central Australia. The river originates in the MacDonnell Ranges of the Northern Territory. It forms from the meeting of Davenport Creek and Ormiston Creek. The river flows for about 600 kilometres towards the Simpson Desert in South Australia. Geological evidence dates the river to the Devonian or Carboniferous period, around 300–400 million years ago. For most of the year, it appears as scattered waterholes but becomes fast-flowing after heavy rains.

Notes:
Recently, two new safari gates were inaugurated at the Bor Tiger Project in Maharashtra. Bor Tiger Reserve is located in the Wardha district of Maharashtra. It is the smallest tiger reserve in India in terms of area. The reserve covers about 138.12 square kilometres, including the drainage basin of the Bor Dam. It holds strategic importance as it is centrally located among major Bengal tiger habitats.

Notes:
A drone-based survey by the Odisha Forest and Environment Department shows that the saltwater crocodile population is increasing. The saltwater crocodile is the largest and heaviest living reptile and is also known as the estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodile. It lives in saltwater, brackish wetlands, rivers, and mangroves. The species is found along India’s east coast, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and Micronesia. In India, it occurs in Odisha, West Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with Odisha having the highest population in natural habitat. It is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Notes:
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.

Notes:
A recent faunal survey in Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary has greatly increased biodiversity records of Kerala’s youngest protected area. The sanctuary is located in Malappuram district of Kerala on the western slopes of the Nilgiris. Its name comes from the Karimpuzha River, a tributary of the Chaliyar River. The forest forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) and the Nilambur Elephant Reserve (ER). It borders Mukurthi National Park (Tamil Nadu) and Silent Valley National Park (Kerala).

Notes:
The Bird Atlas of Goa was released at the ninth Bird Festival of Goa, making Goa the second state after Kerala to publish a state-level bird atlas. The festival also saw the release of “Birds of Goa: Konkani Nomenclature – Olakh Suknayanchi,” promoting bird knowledge in the local language. The ninth Bird Festival of Goa, themed “Majestic Mhadei,” was inaugurated at Valpoi. Volunteers, bird conservationists, forest staff, and wildlife rescuers were honoured for their contributions to avian conservation.

Notes:
A third tigress was recently released into the wild at Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR), boosting tiger conservation in western Maharashtra. Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of the Western Ghats, Maharashtra, and is the northernmost tiger habitat in the Western Ghats. It is the first tiger reserve of Western Maharashtra and the fourth in the state.

Notes:
Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) approved diversion of 4.68 hectares forest land from Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary for 111 kilometre six-lane Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR) project. Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Dhenkanal district of Odisha. Forest type is Eastern Highlands moist deciduous forest. Sanctuary supports reptiles and unique species such as pangolins and porcupines.

Notes:
Recently, an adult male tiger named ‘Explorer’ was reintroduced into the wild in Papikonda National Park as part of Operation Stripes. Papikonda National Park is located along the banks of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. The park is recognized as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area by BirdLife International.