Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Eco-Sensit...
Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas are areas within 10 km around Protected Areas, National Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002–2016) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) stipulated that state governments should declare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as eco fragile zones or ESZs under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986. The purpose of the ESZ was to provide more protection to the parks by acting as a shock absorber or transition zone. So, statement 1
is correct.
The prohibited activities in ESZ are:- Commercial mining, sawmills, industries causing pollution (air, water, soil, noise, etc), the establishment of major hydroelectric projects (HEP), commercial use of wood, tourism activities like hot-air balloons over the National Park, discharge of effluents or any solid waste or production of hazardous substances.
The regulated activities in ESZ are - Felling of trees, the establishment of hotels and resorts,
commercial use of natural water, erection of electrical cables, drastic change of agriculture system, e.g. adoption of heavy technology, pesticides, etc, widening of roads.
The permitted activities in ESZ are - ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater
harvesting, organic farming, use of renewable energy sources, and adoption of green technology for all activities. So, statement 2 is not correct.
Therefore, the correct answer is (a).