Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)

Why in News?

• NGT has directed all states to conduct carrying capacity studies of eco-sensitive areas.

What are eco-sensitive zones?

• Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs) are areas notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

What is the purpose of establishing ESZs?

• The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of “shock absorbers” to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas.
• They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.

Statuatory backing for ESZs

• Eventhough Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-Sensitive Zones”, it enables government to identify areas around Protected Areas and Wildlife Corridors to be declared as ecologically fragile under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.This provides the legal backing for ESZs.

Regulations inside an ESZ

• The extent of regulation inside an ESZ may not be uniform all around and it could be of variable width and extent.
• Regulations inside ESZs are more relaxed than that of National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding Eco-Sensitive Zones:
1.They are declared under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2.They are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change 
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to the Prelims Question