Question 32 from UPSC CSE 2014 - Environme nt

Question

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.

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Neither 1 nor 2

Strategy: Statement 1 is incorrect because Eco-Sensitive Zones are declared under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, not the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Statement 2 is also incorrect: ESZs aim to regulate, not completely prohibit, human activity, with a graded approach — not just agriculture but many activities may be permitted or restricted based on specific notifications. Careful reading of the domain (Acts) and extremity in 'prohibit all kinds' is key.

Key Info: Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are buffer areas notified around Protected Areas such as National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries to minimize external impacts on fragile ecosystems.

ESZs are declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 empowers the creation and management of Protected Areas, but ESZs are not notified under it.

The primary purpose of an ESZ notification is to create a transition zone for regulating and managing activities, not to enforce blanket bans. Each zone's notification specifies which activities are prohibited, regulated, or permissible.

Examples of activities include:
- **Permitted or regulated:** agriculture, rainwater harvesting, and eco-tourism.
- **Generally restricted:** heavy industry, mining, and construction.

The Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal have played roles in clarifying and extending ESZ regulations in landmark environmental cases.

Answer

Option A: 1 only

Answer

Option B: 2 only

Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2