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.
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Eco-Sensitive Zones around protected areas are notified by the Environment Ministry under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 — not the Wildlife (Protection) Act — so statement 1 is wrong.
• Statement 2 is wrong: ESZs act as shock absorbers by regulating activities — prohibiting mining, major hydro and polluting industry, regulating tree felling and construction, and permitting ongoing agriculture, organic farming and rainwater harvesting; they do not ban all activity except agriculture.
• Hence neither 1 nor 2, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is wrong: ESZs come under the EPA, 1986.
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: activities are regulated, not all banned.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Both statements are wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.