With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities in those zones except agriculture.Select the correct answer using the code given below.
✓ Correct answer: d) Neither 1 nor 2
ExplanationEco-Sensitive Zones are defined “as areas/zones with identified environmental resources having incomparable values which require special attention for their conservation” because of its landscape, wildlife, biodiversity, historical and natural val- ues.Statement 1 is incorrect: The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) stipulates that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco-fragile zones or Eco-Sensi- tive Zones (ESZs) under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 and not Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Statement 2 is incorrect: The basic aim is to regulate certain activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries so as to minimise the negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected area.In Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs), prohibited activities include com- mercial mining, polluting industries, and large hydropower projects.Regulated activities involve tree felling, hotel construc-
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