UPSC Mains 2022 GS1 Q15 — Economic Geography
Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Describingindicate
- Scope keywords
- distributionrubber producing countriesmajor environmental issues
- Implicit sub-parts
- Geographical commonalities of the Rubber Belt (latitudinal and climatic requirements).
- Categorization of producing countries by region (Southeast Asia, Africa, South America).
- The conflict between natural rubber monoculture and local biodiversity/ecosystems.
- Specific environmental externalities like soil degradation, water pollution from processing, and deforestation.
- Common pitfalls
- Spending too much time on India-specific rubber production instead of a global distribution perspective.
- Failing to mention the 'Rubber Belt' or the 10-degree North/South equatorial concentration.
- Listing general environmental issues (like global warming) without linking them specifically to rubber plantation practices or processing units.
- Omitting the impact of 'monoculture' which is the primary environmental critique of the rubber industry.
- Dimensions required
- Geographical/SpatialClimatologicalEcological/EnvironmentalEconomic-Industrial (processing impacts)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate approximately 100 words to the distribution map and regional description, focusing on Southeast Asia's dominance (Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam). Devote the remaining 150 words to the environmental issues, ensuring a balance between plantation-level impacts like deforestation and processing-level impacts like effluent discharge.
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