Geo-Mapping Of Rubber Plantations

The Rubber Board will begin geo-mapping of rubber plantations in Kerala soon.

About Geo Mapping of plants

Geo-mapping of plants involves using GPS, GIS, and remote sensing to digitally map plant locations, distributions, and ecosystems.
It helps in biodiversity conservation, habitat monitoring, and agricultural planning with precise spatial data.

Key step in certifying natural rubber under the Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber (iSNR) framework. Aligns Indian rubber production with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Rubber growers expect better prices and enhanced market access through this initiative.

Rubber is an elastic material that deforms under force and regains its shape when released.
Made of polymers of isoprene and other organic compounds.

Statutory body under the Rubber Act, 1947.
Name amended to ‘The Rubber Board’ under the Rubber Production and Marketing (Amendment) Act, 1954.
Ministry: Functions under Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.
Headquarters: Kottayam, Kerala.

Types of Rubber:
- Natural Rubber: Derived from latex of rubber trees.
- Synthetic Rubber: Man-made rubber produced through chemical processes.

Rubber Plantations

Natural Rubber is extracted from latex of Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis), a milky fluid containing proteins, starch, and alkaloids.
Hevea brasiliensis is native to the Amazon Basin, introduced to Asia and Africa by the British in the late 19th century.
Growth Factors for Rubber Plantation:
- Temperature: Requires 20°-35°C, ideally 27°C.
- Soil: Prefers loamy or laterite soil with good drainage.
- Rainfall: Needs 200 cm+ rainfall annually.
Properties:
- Latex Composition: Up to 40% natural rubber, rest is water and other elements.
- Vulcanization: Combining natural rubber with sulfur increases strength, hardness, and abrasion resistance.
Uses of Natural Rubber:
- 65% of natural rubber is used in the automobile industry for making tyres and tubes .
- Used in shock absorption, vibration isolation, and road surfacing.

Initiative	Objective
Sustainable & Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector (SIDNRS)	To promote sustainable rubber cultivation and enhance farmer income.
Rubber Plantation Development Scheme	To expand rubber plantations in non-traditional areas and improve productivity.
Rubber Group Planting Scheme	To support small farmers in rubber cultivation through group efforts.
100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Rubber Plantation	To attract private and foreign investment in rubber plantations.
National Rubber Policy 2019	To ensure the overall development of the rubber sector, including trade, quality standards, and sustainability.

India is the 3rd largest producer and 4th largest consumer of natural rubber.
India is the 5th largest consumer of natural and synthetic rubber combined.
Kerala produces over 90% of India’s natural rubber.
Northeast States of Tripura and Assam : Account for 16% of total rubber production.

Thailand is the largest producer of Natural Rubber , followed by Indonesia.
India’s Trade:
- Imports: 5,28,677 tonnes (2022-23) (from Indonesia, Thailand, China, South Korea, Japan).
- Exports: 3,700 tonnes (2022-23) (major markets: USA, Germany, UAE, UK, Bangladesh).

The EUDR is a legislative framework introduced by the European Commission to combat global deforestation and forest degradation.
It targets commodity supply chains linked to deforestation, ensuring responsible sourcing.
Origin and implementation: Proposed in 2021 and formally adopted in 2023 as part of the EU’s Green Deal.
- Applies to key commodities like soy, palm oil, timber, coffee, cocoa, rubber, and cattle.
Objectives
- Prevent deforestation-linked products from entering the EU market.
- Ensure that imported goods comply with sustainable land-use practices.
- Promote transparency and traceability in global supply chains.
- Support global efforts to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss.

Also Read
UPSC Daily Editorials	UPSC Daily Current Affairs
Daily Current Affairs Quiz	Daily Main Answer Writing
Check Out Previous Years Papers From PW Store	UPSC Test Series
Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store	Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store