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.

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) Exam GS Official Paper-I (Held On: 24 Aug 2014)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Neither 1 nor 2.

Key Points

Eco-sensitive zones are ecologically Fragile Areas are areas within 10 km around protected areas to act as a buffer.
They are notified under section 3 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 by the Ministry of Environment and Forest. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
Certain activities are either banned or regulated to protect the environment.
Agriculture, Horticulture practices by local communities, organic farming, rainwater harvesting, scientific research, tourism, etc. are permitted in the Eco-sensitive zones. Hence statement 2 is also incorrect.
They act as a shock absorber for the protected areas and are a transition zone from high protection areas to lesser protection areas.
They help in In-situ conservation.
They minimize forest depletion and man-animal conflict.
They minimize the impact of urbanization and developmental activities in protected areas.