Q. Consider the following statements:
1.Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 empowers the Central Government to declare Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) in India.
2.Agriculture is generally prohibited in Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs).
3.The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) supports the protection of Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) by focusing on biodiversity conservation.
4.Proximity to urban centers, availability of natural resources, and potential for tourism development are the key criteria used by the government in India to designate an area as ecologically sensitive.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statement 1 is correct. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, empowers the Central Government to declare ESZs around protected areas to act as buffers and regulate certain activities to protect the environment.
Statements 2, 3 and 4 are incorrect. Agriculture, along with horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, and organic farming, is generally permitted in ESZs. The UNFCCC primarily focuses on climate change and its impacts rather than directly on biodiversity conservation or the protection of ESAs. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is more aligned with biodiversity conservation efforts. The criteria for designating ESAs focus on ecological significance, such as the presence of endemic species, unique landscapes, and critical habitats.
Source: The Hindu
