APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 27/10/2026

Model answer

Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) act as vital “shock absorbers,” yet recent reports of commercial exploitation around Kaziranga highlight severe regulatory enforcement gaps.

Ecological Threats of Unregulated Commercial Activities (Kaziranga Context)

• Acoustic & Photic Trauma: High-decibel sound and magnified lighting from luxury weddings cause acute biological stress to nocturnal fauna [Violation of Noise Pollution Rules, 2000 capping noise at 40 dB(A)].
• Riverine Contamination: Untreated solid waste from gala events frequently washes into local rivulets, poisoning the downstream aquatic food chain (e.g., severe water pollution reported in the Kohora sector).
• Habitat Fragmentation & Congestion: Heavy vehicular influx for commercial bookings blocks vital transport corridors, crippling the rapid mobility of forest guards during wildlife emergencies.
• Zoonotic Spillover Risks: Unregulated accumulation of organic garbage attracts feral dogs and domestic scavengers, exponentially increasing the risk of disease transmission to wild ungulates.
• Commodification of Peripheries: The prioritization of high-profit private bookings by luxury resorts frequently overrides statutory conservation mandates, marginalizing sustainable local eco-tourism.

Regulatory Gaps in ESZ Management

Measures to Strengthen the ESZ Framework

1. Institutionalize Dedicated ESZ Authorities: Establish specialized, single-window ESZ monitoring offices at park perimeters to ensure immediate grievance redressal and on-the-spot penalization.
2. Strict Enforcement of SC Mandates: Rigorously implement the Supreme Court’s directive (2022) regarding the maintenance of inviolable ESZ buffers, prohibiting mega-commercial structures within close proximity.
3. Technology-Driven Surveillance: Install AI-enabled acoustic sensors and lux meters along the boundary to digitally flag real-time noise and light pollution breaches directly to the Pollution Control Board Assam (PCBA).
4. Mandatory Environmental Audits: Enforce strict “Zero-Liquid Discharge” policies and cancel operating licenses for resorts failing biological oxygen demand (BOD) compliance in their wastewater.
5. Community-Led Tourism Models: Shift state support away from heavy-footprint luxury resorts towards decentralized, community-owned homestays (e.g., replicating successful community models seen around Manas National Park).

Transforming ESZs from vulnerable commercial zones into robust ecological shields is imperative to uphold Article 48A and achieve SDG 15 (Life on Land) for India’s critical biodiversity hotspots.