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.

The correct answer is D. Neither statement is correct.

Statement 1 is wrong. Eco-Sensitive Zones are not declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. They are regulated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, through MoEFCC notifications. Their origin lies in the Supreme Court's 2002 Godavarman order, which required a buffer zone around protected areas, generally about 10 km wide, unless a smaller width was notified.

Statement 2 is wrong. ESZs are meant to regulate activities, not prohibit all human activity. Agriculture is not a special exception. Activities such as mining, industries, hotels and construction are restricted or regulated based on the zone's notified guidelines, while many local activities continue.

The concept links to the Environment syllabus on protected area management and to Mains questions on balancing conservation with livelihoods and development. Since the 2014 exam, the buffer width has been fixed by notification for individual sanctuaries and national parks, and many draft ESZ plans have been revised, so check the current notification for a specific protected area.

Trap: Confusing ESZs with protected areas themselves, which are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and assuming ESZs ban all activity.