With reference to Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs), consider the following statements: 1. These areas are declared under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 2. ESAs can extend maximum up to 1 kilometer from national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. 3. ESAs often contain a high number of endemic species. How many of the statements given above are correct? |ForumIAS

Q. With reference to Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs), consider the following statements:
1.These areas are declared under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
2.ESAs can extend maximum up to 1 kilometer from national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
3.ESAs often contain a high number of endemic species.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

[A] Only one

[B] Only two

[C] All three

[D] None

Answer: A

Notes:

Explanation –

Statements 1 and 2 are incorrect. Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs), often referred to as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs), are notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. ESZs can extend up to 10 kilometers or more around protected areas according to the Wildlife Conservation Strategy of 2002.

Statement 3 is correct. ESAs are designated due to their unique biological resources and often contain a high number of endemic species, which are species native to a particular area and not found elsewhere.

Source: The Hindu

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