About Eco sensitive zones (ESZ)

• As a general principle, land falling within 10 kms (in some exceptional cases it can even go beyond that) of the boundaries of the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are categorised as Eco-Fragile Zones or Eco-sensitive Zones.
• They are declared under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoFCCC).
• The purpose of declaring Eco-sensitive Zones around National parks and Sanctuaries is to create some kind of ”Shock Absorber” for the Protected Areas. 
• They would also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.
• The activities in the eco-sensitive zones would be of a regulatory nature rather than prohibitive nature, unless and otherwise so required.

Declaration of ESZs:

• Survey and identification of ESZs are conducted by the respective State Governments for consideration of the Central Government for declaration of the ESZs around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• On the basis of proposals and recommendations of the State Government, MoFCCC notifies the ESZs under the Environment (Protection) Act.