Eco-Sensitive Zones MCQ — 98 Practice Questions with Answers

Q1. With reference to Eco-Sensitive Zones around protected areas, consider the following statements: 1. They are declared around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries based on State Government proposals and the 9 February 2011 Ministry guidelines. 2. Their purpose is to act as a shock absorber and transition zone between areas of high and lesser protection. 3. Unless a notification says otherwise, Eco-Sensitive Zones are prohibitive in nature rather than regulatory. 4. Declaration of an Eco-Sensitive Zone prohibits the vocation of local communities, including agriculture and house construction. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q2. Assertion (A): The Eco-Sensitive Zone of 408.7 square kilometres notified around the Hastinapur Barasingha Wildlife Sanctuary on April 23, 2026 regulates commercial mining and large polluting industries within its limits. Reason (R): An Eco-Sensitive Zone is notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to act as a graded buffer around protected areas. Choose the correct option:

Q3. Consider the following statements about the draft Eco-Sensitive Zone notification for Sariska Tiger Reserve: 1. The area of the Eco-Sensitive Zone is 78.73 square kilometres. 2. Its extent varies from zero to 24 kilometres from the sanctuaries mentioned in the notification. 3. The notification identifies 374 species of mammals in Sariska Tiger Reserve. 4. The Zonal Master Plan is to be prepared in consultation with, among others, the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q4. With reference to the Supreme Court’s 26 April 2023 modification order on ESZs, consider the following statements: 1. The Court modified its earlier direction prescribing a uniform one-kilometre ESZ, noting practical difficulties and lack of uniformity around protected forests. 2. The modified order made mining permissible within National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries if a State Government grants prior permission. 3. The Court directed that a final ESZ notification under Rule 5(3)(d) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 should not be given effect for 30 days from issuance. 4. The Court held that the one-kilometre direction would not apply to ESZs for which draft and final notifications had been issued by MoEFCC or proposals had been received by the Ministry. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q5. With reference to barasingha mentioned in the Hastinapur ESZ context, consider the following statements: 1) Barasingha is also called swamp deer. 2) It is the state animal of Uttar Pradesh. 3) It is listed in Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 according to the corpus fact bank. Which of the statements given above are correct?