Which of the following statement about Eco-Sensitive Zones is/are correct?1. Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) is areas in India notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).2. Environment Protection Act, 1986 mentions about the word “Eco-Sensitive Zones”.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Notes:

Eco-Sensitive Zones:

Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs) are areas in India notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) around protected areas such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
The objective of declaring an area as ESZ is to create some kind of “shock absorbers” to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas.
ESZs also act as the buffer zones from areas of high protection to areas accorded relatively milder protection.
It is to be noted that though Environment Protection Act, 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-Sensitive Zones”, the government uses section 3(2)(v) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and rule 5(1) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 to declare ESZs and EFAs.

Source: EPIC February 2022