Explanation: The National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Malaria in India is a comprehensive plan aimed at eliminating malaria from the country. The plan is structured around several phases, including pre-elimination and elimination phases, which are targeted at different districts based on their Annual Parasite Incidence (API) rates. The API is a measure of the number of malaria cases per 1,000 population at risk per year.
According to the NSP, districts with an API greater than 2 are considered to be in the pre-elimination phase. The goal is to bring all such districts into the pre-elimination and elimination phases, which involves reducing the API to less than 1 per 1,000 population at risk per year. This is a critical step towards achieving the ultimate goal of malaria elimination.
The NSP also categorizes districts into Category 1 and Category 2 units based on their malaria burden. Category 1 units are those with a higher malaria burden, and the NSP aims to eliminate malaria from these units by 2020. Category 2 units, with a lower malaria burden, are targeted for elimination by 2022. This phased approach allows for a more focused and effective strategy in tackling malaria in different parts of the country.
Regarding the geographical aspect, the Eastern Coastal Plain of India includes states such as Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and parts of West Bengal. These states are characterized by their coastal location and are distinct from the Western Coastal Plain, which includes states like Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The confusion between these two regions is a common misconception, as both are coastal regions but are geographically and administratively distinct.
In summary, the correct statements are those that accurately reflect the goals and timelines of the NSP for malaria elimination and the correct geographical classification of the coastal regions. The correct answer is Option A, which includes the accurate statements about the NSP goals and excludes the incorrect statement about the Eastern Coastal Plain.