<span style="color: #222222;">Government said that two Ecologically Sensitive Areas ESAs and 92 Eco-Sensitive Zones ESZs have been already notified in the 13 States of Indian Himalayan Region.<br />''<br />'' In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Ashwini Kumar Choubey said, in order to manage and conserve biodiversity across the Protected Areas, his Ministry notifies ESZs around the Protected Areas. He said, as part of wildlife conservation strategy, in 2002, it was decided that an area around each Protected Areas, requires to be notified as Eco-Sensitive Zone for creating a buffer as further protection around Protected Areas. The Minister said, the very purpose of declaring ESZ is to create some kind of Shock Absorber for the specialized Ecosystem, such as protected areas or other natural sites, to act as transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection. He said, besides, in order to protect the biodiversity in areas having ecological significance, Ministry also notifies ESAs which has unique biological resources, which require special attention for their conservation. Mr Choubey said, survey and identification of ESZs are conducted by the State Governments for consideration of the Central Government for declaration of the ESZs in States around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries as per the guidelines formulated by the Ministry. He said, on the basis of proposals and recommendations of the State Government, Ministry notify the ESZs under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</span><br />