|
|
|
Hevea Brasiliensis (rubber)
 |
| Photo Information |
Copyright: Sunil Tantirige (linus)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1527 W: 10 N: 775]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-s-g.gif) (11066) |
| Genre: Places |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2004-01 |
| Categories: Daily Life, Nature |
| Exposure: f/2.8, 1/60 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2005-09-08 9:19 |
| Viewed: 1081 |
| Points: 6 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Hevea Brasiliensis is a tropical tree. It is native to the Amazon Basin in Brazil and adjoining countries. In the early stages (that is up to about 1910) most rubber was harvested from "wild trees" growing in the Amazon Basin by the native people who went in to the jungle and tapped the trees. In late 19th century, Hevea was smuggled out from Amazonia by the British to South Asia (Sri Lanka) and South East Asia (Malaysia) where it was grown first experimentally and later on plantations. And that was the end of Brazilian rubber industry.
One country’s loss was another’s gain, and in this instance Sri Lanka’s. Take any one of the roads that lead inland from the southern coast and you will quickly come across the unmistakable plantations with their formal rows of silvery-trunked rubber trees. In the mid 20th century, rubber exports were one of the main money earner for Sri Lanka. Although the country’s economy is much diversified these days, rubber remains as one of the major exports from the country.
Natural rubber originates in the Hevea tree, and it starts its journey when the tree is tapped. Trees are tapped about once every two days. A tapper starts the trek around the plantation before dawn. At each tree a sharp knife is used to shave off the thinnest possible layer from the intact section of bark. The cut must be neither too deep, nor too thick. Either will reduce the productive life of the tree. This starts the milky white latex flowing, and the tapper leaves a little cup underneath the cut. The tapper returns a few hours later and collects the stuff in the cup, which is the rubber latex. The collected latex is then further processed into various forms of rubber for industrial and consumer use.
A few words about the rubber tappers. They are very often at the bottom of the society. The work is hard, many are women; illiteracy is high, pay is low. Child care and education is rudimentary at best. Living conditions are quite primitive. It is unfortunate that the enormous economic benefits of the rubber industry has not or does not filter down to the people who work the trees. So next time you change the tires of your car or buy a set of rubber gloves, think about these people.
The photo shows a rubber plantation. No significant PP here, just a slight adjustment to the contrast, crop and resize, and a frame. |
harpya, joebatista, himajyothi has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekLens members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
| Discussions |
| None | | You must be logged in to start a discussion. |
|
- harpya
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5968 W: 199 N: 2968]](http://i1.treklens.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(11588) - [2005-09-08 10:45]
-
Beautiful self-portrait
Thank you very much for the shown culture of ours
Seringueiros of Amazon, is like this that they are
call. Everything that you spoke is correct.
My congratulations friend, I am very happy for that
Thank you very much
Sérgio
Fantastic greens Sunil
I love the way you composed the image the three white poles is what grabbed my attention.
Vary well done.
TFS
BINGO! Thats a beautiful take Sunil! I LOVE THE GREEN! SO, MIxed up yet so different and varied! THe note is very detailed and I would thank U for providing one :D The composition is perfect and the angle of the shot amazing... As Joe says, the white stands out completely and adds a compliment to the whole perfection :) Amazing detail :D Thanks for sharing :)
Take care...
- Hima.
Hihihihi,
rubber in TL, Great!!!! indeed it's a interesting note Sunil. We (brazilians) made loads of money with rubber some 100 years ago. We called rubber cicle. It's over now....
Good picture. Shows well the rubber "fields"
Well done!
take care, Stef
:)) and here's a smile for you!
