It’s an edible vegetable oil that comes from the fruit of oil palm trees, the scientific name is Elaeis guineensis. Two types of oil can be produced; crude palm oil comes from squeezing the fleshy fruit, and palm kernel oil which comes from crushing the kernel, or the stone in the middle of the fruit. Oil palm trees are native to Africa but were brought to South-East Asia just over 100 years ago as an ornamental tree crop. Now, Indonesia and Malaysia make up over 85% of global supply but there are 42 other countries that also produce palm oil.

Palm oil is an extremely versatile oil that has many different properties and functions that makes it so useful and so widely used. It is semi-solid at room temperature so can keep spreads spreadable; it is resistant to oxidation so can give products a longer shelf-life; it’s stable at high temperatures so helps to give fried products a crispy and crunchy texture; and it’s also odourless and colourless so doesn’t alter the look or smell of food products. In Asian and African countries, palm oil is used widely as a cooking oil, just like we might use sunflower or olive oil here in the UK.

As well as being versatile, compared to other vegetable oils the oil palm is a very efficient crop, able to produce high quantities of oil over small areas of land, almost all year round. This makes it an attractive crop for growers and smallholders, who can rely on the steady income that palm oil provides.

Palm oil can be produced more sustainably and there is a role for companies, governments, and consumers to play. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil  or RSPO was formed in 2004 in response to increasing concerns about the impacts palm oil was having on the environment and on society. The RSPO has production standards for growers that set best practices for producing and sourcing palm oil, and it has the buy-in of most of the global industry. RSPO encourage companies to: 

Set robust policies to remove deforestation, conversion of other natural ecosystems, such as peatlands, and human rights abuses from their supply chains 
Buy and use RSPO certified palm oil across their operations globally 
Be transparent in their use and sourcing of palm oil ensuring they know who they are buying from and where it’s been produced 
It is important that the palm oil industry continues to invest in and grow support for and smallholder programmes and sustainable landscape initiatives. WWF is also working with governments in both palm oil using and palm oil producing countries to make sure that national laws are in place to ensure that any palm oil traded is free of deforestation, conversion and exploitation.

Earwig, (order Dermaptera), any of approximately 1,800 species of insects that are characterized by large membranous hindwings that lie hidden under short, leathery forewings. The name earwig is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word meaning “ear creature,” probably because of a widespread ancient superstition that earwigs crawl into the ears of sleeping people. The earwig varies from 5 to 50 mm (0.2 to 2 inches) in length and is flat, slender, and dark-coloured. It has a shiny outer covering and simple biting mouthparts, and it undergoes incomplete metamorphosis (i.e., egg, nymph, and adult stages). This nocturnal insect is usually herbivorous. Several species can fire a foul-smelling liquid, formed in abdominal glands and probably protective in function, for distances up to 10 cm (4 inches).

The earwig has a pair of horny forceps-like tail filaments, or pincers (cerci), at the posterior end of the abdomen, with those of the male being larger and of a different shape than those of the female. It has been suggested that the pincers may function in defense, in catching insects and holding them while eating, in helping to fold the hindwings under the forewings, or during courtship fights for possession of a female. When alarmed or aggressive the earwig carries the cerci over its body in a scorpion-like manner. In some species, earwig females exhibit maternal care, defending and feeding the newly hatched immatures.

   
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India has an incredible history, and all the Indian states have their own heritage. Some of the best rulers of history have ruled in India, especially in Maharashtra. Maharashtra has a history of the rule of Mughals and Marathas, who had large regions under their control. During the period of their rule, they have built some of the magnificent arts, architecture, and forts. There are many renowned forts in Maharashtra built by different rulers; however, most of these were built under the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The forts of Maharashtra are architectural marvels with a profound history that describes the life of people during the time of the establishment of these forts. Forts in Maharashtra are worth visiting if you are planning to visit Maharashtra to explore the best in the state. We have listed below some of the popular Forts of Maharashtra that you might consider visiting.

Located in Lonavala, one of the most aesthetically appealing places near Pune, Lohagadh Fort is a beautiful piece of architecture. It is a fort that was captured by Shivaji Maharaj and then by the Mughals. It was used by Shivaji Maharaj to store the treasure looted from Surat. It is situated approximately 52 Km from Pune and is a trek that can be covered within one day.

Location: Pune, Maharashtra

Known For: Trekking, photography, sightseeing

Surrounded by water bodies along its sides, Janjira Fort is also known as Murud Fort, as it is located in a village called Murud in the state of Maharashtra. This marvel of ancient engineering was built in the 17th century by Malik Ambar. The Fort is well-known as it has been withstanding the sea waves for ages. Janjira Fort is a 40 feet high fort that had 500 canons, of which only some are left now. Towers of the Fort are now used for keeping guns. This Fort is worth visiting because of its beautiful architecture. Even if it is difficult to cover all forts on the first visit, you may consider visiting this Fort over the others.

Location: Maharashtra

Known For: Trekking, photography, sightseeing

Established in the 14th century, Daulatabad Fort is popular as Devagiri and is approximately 16 Km away from Aurangabad. Mughals, Marathas, and Peshwas captured this magnificent Fort, which is one among the seven wonders of Maharashtra. It was under the rule of Nizams of Hyderabad in 1724 AD. It is a great place for tourists across the world, and they have to climb 750 steps to reach the Fort. However, it is worth the effort.

Location: MH SH 22, Daulatabad, Maharashtra, 431002

Known For: Trekking, photography, sightseeing