Question: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has declared which National Sanctuary as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ)?
(a) Chambal National Sanctuary
(b) Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
(c) Kanha National Park
(d) Bandhavgarh National Park
Answer: (a)
Related facts:
- On March 2, 2020, The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has declared the National Chambal Sanctuary as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ).
National Chambal Sanctuary:
- It is also called the National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary.
- It has an area of 5,400 sq. km and is tri-state protected area in northern India.
- It is home to critically endangered Gharial (small crocodiles), the red-crowned roof turtle and the endangered Ganges river dolphin.
- It originates in the Vindhayan ranges in M.P. the Chambal River snakes its way thought the states of M.P. Rajasthan and U.P. before finally meeting the Yamuna in the Etawah district of U.P.
Eco-sensitive zones:
- ESZ or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFA) is governed by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- The Eco-Sensitive Zones are protected areas that act as shock absorbers as well as transition zones.
- The main aim behind ESZs is to regulate certain activities so as to minimize the negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem surrounding the protected areas.
Links:
https://upecotourism.in/NationalChambalSanctuary.aspx
https://www.conservationindia.org/resources/moef-releases-new-guidelines-for-eco-sensitive-zones-eszs-around-protected-areas
https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/centre-declares-national-chambal-sanctuary-in-mp-as-eco-sensitive-zone
http://www.millenniumpost.in/nation/centre-declares-mps-chambal-sanctuary-as-eco-sensitive-zone-403746
https://www.conservationindia.org/resources/moef-releases-new-guidelines-for-eco-sensitive-zones-eszs-around-protected-areas