Question 34 from UPSC CSE 2021 - Environment

Question

With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements:
1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.
2. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.
3. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 and 3 only

Strategy: Identify the factual error in statement 1 regarding the oil palm's native origin. Eliminate all options containing this statement. Verify the accuracy of statements 2 (cosmetic use) and 3 (biodiesel feedstock). Select the option that includes only the correct statements.

Key Info: Palm oil is derived from the fruit of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), a species native to West and Central Africa. While its origin is African, commercial cultivation has largely shifted to Southeast Asia, primarily Malaysia and Indonesia, which now produce about 85% of the global supply.

**Key Uses**

Palm oil is a versatile raw material with significant applications in various industries:
-   **Cosmetics:** It is valued for its emollient and stabilizing properties, used in products like lipstick for smoothness and heat resistance, and in perfumes to stabilize fragrances.
-   **Biofuel:** Due to its high yield and favorable composition, palm oil is a major feedstock for biodiesel production, especially in Asia and Europe.

The cultivation and processing of palm oil carry substantial economic, environmental, and social implications, with deforestation and sustainability being prominent global concerns.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 1 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3

With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements: The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia. The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes. The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel. Which of the statements given above are correct?

With reference to 'palm oil', consider the following statements:

The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.

The palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.

The palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.
Which of the statements given above are correct?