Q.Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them.

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Distribution of Rubber-Producing Countries

• Southeast Asia: Thailand is the world's largest producer (accounting for 35% of global natural rubber in 2020), followed closely by Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Together, they supply nearly 90% of the world's natural rubber.
• Climatic Suitability: Rubber trees thrive in deep, well-drained soils in humid tropical climates with annual rainfall between 60 and 78 inches and no distinct dry season.
• Other Regions: Other notable producers include Ivory Coast, Brazil (where rubber is native to the Amazon basin), Mexico, Gabon, Guinea, Ecuador, and Sri Lanka.

Major Environmental Issues Faced

• Deforestation and Habitat Loss: Extensive rubber cultivation has led to massive clearing of natural tropical rainforests, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia.
• Biodiversity Loss: The conversion of diverse forest ecosystems into rubber monocultures has caused the decline of iconic endangered species like orangutans.
• Soil Degradation: Monotonous cropping patterns deplete soil nutrients and reduce its natural rejuvenation capacity. This leads to heavy reliance on synthetic fertilizers, which further degrades soil health and pollutes local water bodies.
• Vulnerability to Pests and Climate Change: Monoculture plantations are highly susceptible to pest outbreaks and climate-induced diseases, threatening the livelihoods of smallholders.
• Air and Water Pollution: The open burning of rubber plantation waste during land clearing releases significant greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air pollutants. Additionally, rubber processing is a water-intensive industry that often causes severe water pollution and local water scarcity.