Previous Year Question
Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of
anti-malarial drug
bio-diesel
pulp for paper industry
textile fibre
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Girardinia diversifolia is known as Himalayan nettle, giant Himalayan nettle or allo.
It is a perennial plant belonging to the family Urticaceae.
Its stem bark yields long, strong and lightweight natural bast fibres.
These fibres are used for making textiles, ropes, bags, mats and other handicraft products. Therefore, option (d) is correct.
To extract the fibre, the bark is separated after harvesting the stems and then subjected to retting and processing.
The processed fibre is spun into yarn and subsequently woven into cloth.
Its fibres may be strong, durable and possess a silk-like lustre.
It can grow in moist Himalayan regions, open forestlands, riverbanks and mountain slopes.
Its fibre is traditionally used in Nepal as well as in the Himalayan regions of India.
Being a perennial plant, it can regenerate after harvesting.
Appropriate and controlled harvesting may reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, irrigation and intensive agricultural inputs.
Therefore, it can provide local communities with a sustainable source of natural fibre and livelihood.
Excessive or unregulated harvesting may damage natural populations; hence, scientific harvesting and regeneration are necessary.
Its principal cited use is not as a source of an anti-malarial drug, biodiesel or paper pulp.