UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 72
Government of India encourages the cultivation of 'sea buckthorn'. What is the importance of this plant?
- It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification.
- It is a rich source of biodiesel.
- It has nutritional value and is well-adapted to live in cold areas of high altitudes.
- Its timber is of great commercial value.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct Option: C
Explanation: Sea buckthorn is a hardy high-altitude shrub that controls erosion and supplies nutrient-rich berries, but is not a timber or mainstream biodiesel crop.
Statement/Item-wise Analysis:
1: Correct - Its strong roots stabilise fragile, dry Himalayan soils.
2: Incorrect - It is not grown principally as a high-yield biodiesel feedstock.
3: Correct - Its fruit is valued nutritionally and it tolerates cold, high-altitude environments.
4: Incorrect - As a thorny shrub, it does not yield commercially significant timber.
Option-wise Analysis:
A: Incorrect - omits correct item 3.
B: Incorrect - includes incorrect items 2, 4; omits correct item 1.
C: Correct - includes exactly the valid statements/items and excludes the invalid ones.
D: Incorrect - includes incorrect items 2, 4.