Q. In the context of the Rubber Industry in India, consider the following statements::
1.India is one of the largest consumers of natural rubber globally.
2.Approximately 40% of India’s total natural rubber consumption is currently met through imports, as the domestic production falls short of meeting the demand.
3.Conveyor belt is the largest consumer of rubber in India, accounting for over 50% of the total consumption.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Indian rubber industry is crucial to the economy, offering employment to millions. It comprises two main sectors: natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Natural rubber comes from rubber tree latex, while synthetic rubber is petroleum-based. The natural rubber sector dominates, constituting over 80% of India’s rubber consumption, making India a major global consumer of natural rubber. Kerala is the largest producer of natural rubber in India, followed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The rubber industry in India is highly dependent on natural rubber imports, as the domestic production is not sufficient to meet the demand.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The tyre sector is the largest consumer of rubber in India, accounting for over 50% of the total consumption. Other major consumers of rubber include the footwear, conveyor belt, and hose industries.
Source: ForumIAS
