UPSC 2012: Government of India encourages the cultivation of ‘sea buckthorn’. What is the importance of this plant? 1. It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification. 2. It is a rich source of biodiesel. 3. It has nutritional value and is well-adapted to live in cold areas of high altitudes. 4. Its timber is of great commercial value. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Sea-buckthorn is a shrubby leguminous plant whose deep root system binds sandy, high-altitude soils, helping control erosion and desertification; its berries and seed oil are nutritionally rich and the plant is naturally adapted to cold Himalayan deserts. It is not cultivated for timber and, while the oil has many medicinal and cosmetic uses, it is not regarded as a rich or commercial source of biodiesel. Thus only statements 1 and 3 are correct. ([licchavilyceum.com](https://licchavilyceum.com/upsc-prelims-2012-solved-paper/?utm_source=openai))