CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Askot Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh has been declared as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) by the Union Environment Ministry. The sanctuary area is now limited from the original area of 599.93 square km to only 454.65 square km giving a comparatively little area for the fauna to move around.

Detailed explanation-2: -Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary is located 54 km (34 mi) from Pithoragarh near Askot in Uttarakhand state of India. This sanctuary has been set up primarily with the object of conserving the musk deer (Moschus leucogaster) and its habitat.

Detailed explanation-3: -National Chambal Sanctuary declared as eco-sensitive zone As per the recent notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, the National Chambal Sanctuary was declared as eco-sensitive zone (ESZ).

Detailed explanation-4: -India has more than 600 Ecologically Sensitive Zones declared across different states. Some of India’s major Eco-Sensitive Zones are Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Askot Wildlife Sanctuary was established to protect the endangered flagship species Musk Deer and its habitat. The Askot Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Musk Deer Park.