Black Gold: Oil Palm Crop Boosts Malaysian Economy, Defies Rain Forest Defense

The oil palm tree is neither beautiful nor imperious like the oak, mango, or neem. Oil palm trees usually spread a canopy above with branches venturing out in all directions. The trunks of the trees are generally broad, thick, and brown. They display a grand elegance.

The oil palm tree is lanky with dark black trunks and a cluster of green fronds at the top. There are scales in the trunk which depict a peculiar insert. In between the fronds we can locate the black fruits. The fruit consists of thousands of black berries which turn yellowish-red when they ripen.The tree yields fruits all throughout the year.

Oil palms earn much revenue, outscoring tea and coffee plantations. They have replaced the rain forests of Malaysia. Conservationists believe that their presence poses a threat to the environment. The rain forests controlled greenhouse gas emissions. The growth of oil palm plantations in Malaysia has also endangered the flora and fauna of the region, although the composure of the plantation is such that there is vegetation amidst the trees sufficient to protect the orangutans.

The concept of sharing is in vogue in the cultivation of the oil palm. Land sharing helps in conserving the species and acquiring good revenue. Most plantations are not manned. There is free movement of animals and reptiles. Man and animal co-exist without harming each other. The cry from the Western world goes unheeded in this part of the world. Westerners feel that rain forests are being destroyed for man's greed. No. it is not so. They are being cleared for man's survival. The West says the orangutans are being eliminated. But Malaysians defend themselves by pointing out that they cultivate the oil palm for their betterment, they grow oil palm for their prosperity. If the West bans oil palm products there is an even bigger market ready in China. Restrictions set by Western countries would not dampen the Malaysian spirit.

Article Author: meenas17

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