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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
Explanation
The correct answer is option D (textile fibre).
The Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) plant has been traditionally used to make various fibre-based products such as sack, rope etc.[1] Nettle fibers have three main advantages such as strong, lightweight and low environmental impact.[1] The nettle fiber continues to be utilized by local villagers to create and cherish the handcrafted products using age-old traditional methods.[2] Additionally, fibrous biocomposites from nettle (girardinia diversifolia) and poly(lactic acid) fibers are being explored for automotive dashboard[3] panel application, demonstrating its modern industrial potential. This abundant resource can potentially yield 24,704.26 tons of raw dried fiber annually[2], making it a significant sustainable source of textile fiber. The other options—anti-malarial drug, biodiesel, and pulp for paper industry—are not supported by the available sources regarding Himalayan nettle's primary uses.
Sources- [3] )00157-3
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'News-to-Prelims' species question. It falls under 'Economic Botany'—plants that solve ecological and economic problems simultaneously. While NCERT Science mentions nettle stings, the specific industrial use (textile) was purely in current affairs (DownToEarth/PIB) regarding Uttarakhand's livelihood projects.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Directly documents an industrial application of Girardinia diversifolia in biocomposites.
- Specifically links nettle fibres with poly(lactic acid) for automotive dashboard panel use (an industrial, sustainable-materials application).
- Describes traditional and ongoing use of Himalayan nettle fiber for handcrafted and textile products.
- Provides evidence of large-scale availability and potential raw fibre yield, supporting sustainable product supply for textiles and crafts.
- Lists specific fibre-based products (sack, rope) made from Himalayan nettle, showing practical product uses.
- Notes key advantages (strong, lightweight, low environmental impact) that explain its suitability for sustainable textiles and apparel.
Describes nettle as a stinging herb and mentions a traditional remedy, implying traditional/medicinal local uses of nettle-type plants.
A student could check ethnobotanical sources or Himalayan medicinal-plant lists to see if Girardinia diversifolia is used medicinally or in traditional remedies.
States the Himalayan region is rich in pharmaceutical herbs and that the pharmaceutical industry can be developed there, indicating plants from this region are sources for medicinal/industrial products.
Combine this with a map/species distribution to assess whether Himalayan nettle occurs in zones targeted by pharmaceutical collection or cultivation.
Lists fibre crops (cotton, jute, hemp) as major fibre sources for textiles, establishing the pattern that regional fibre plants are used industrially.
Using basic knowledge that some nettles provide bast fibers, a student could investigate whether Himalayan nettle yields bast fibre suitable for textiles like hemp/jute.
Explains biomass is derived from grassy and woody plants and used as renewable energy, showing a general industrial use-case for plant residues.
A student could consider whether Himalayan nettle could be used as biomass (fuel or bioenergy feedstock) or whether its residues are suitable for such uses.
Describes how plant fibres/wood pulp and by-products are raw materials for paper, textiles and chemically processed articles, illustrating industrial transformations of plant material.
A student could test whether nettle fibre can be processed into paper, textiles or chemical by-products by comparing fibre properties to those of known pulp/fibre crops.
- [THE VERDICT]: Bouncer (Current Affairs Driven). While NCERT Science Class X mentions 'Nettle' for its methanoic acid sting, the specific economic application (Textile) was a niche current affairs topic linked to Himalayan livelihood schemes.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Bio-resources & Minor Forest Produce. The syllabus intersection is Environment (Biodiversity) + Economy (Sustainable Livelihoods in Hill States).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize other 'Economic Botany' stars: Seabuckthorn (Leh Berry - Soil binding/Vitamin C), Himalayan Yew (Taxol - Cancer drug), Red Sanders (Endemic timber), Gucchi Mushroom (High-value GI tag), and Jatropha/Pongamia (Biofuels).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When reading magazines like DownToEarth or Kurukshetra, stop at any article discussing 'Tribal Livelihoods' or 'Hill Economy'. If a specific plant is named as a source of income (fibre, oil, drug), it is potential Prelims fodder. UPSC loves plants that generate cash for locals.
Himalayan nettle is a plant that can be examined as a potential fibre crop supplying fibres for textile and industrial uses.
UPSC often asks about agricultural/industrial linkages and value chains; mastering the concept of fibre crops helps answer questions on rural livelihoods, cottage industries, and industrial raw materials. It links agronomy, resource economics and industrial geography and enables answers on crop selection, employment generation and downstream industries.
- NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 4: The Age of Industrialisation > TYPES OF FARMING > p. 87
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Industrial crop > p. 290
Himalayan nettle should be evaluated for medicinal or pharmaceutical applications because the Himalayan region is noted for pharmaceutical herbs and traditional medicinal plants.
Questions on biodiversity, traditional medicine and regional development recur in UPSC. Understanding the pharmaceutical value of Himalayan plants aids answers on conservation, bioprospecting, local economies and policy for Himalayan ecosystem management.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > Hill Area Development Programme > p. 32
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 13: Plant Diversity of India > 13.6.3. Kuth / Kustha / Pooshkarmoola / Uplet > p. 202
Plant species such as Himalayan nettle can be considered as biomass or organic feedstock for renewable energy and related uses.
Biomass and renewable energy are high-yield UPSC topics intersecting environment, energy policy and sustainable development. Mastery helps construct policy-oriented answers on alternative fuels, rural energy, and biomass-based industries.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > 22.6 BIOMASS > p. 292
Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides). Like Nettle, it is a Himalayan plant often in news. It fixes nitrogen, prevents soil erosion (ecological), and produces nutrient-rich berries (economic). Expect a question on its 'dual-use' nature.
Botanical Association Hack: If you know 'Nettle' is a weed often compared to 'Hemp' or 'Jute' in structure (fibrous stalks), you can lean towards Fibre. 'Anti-malarial' is usually specific (Cinchona). 'Biodiesel' requires oily seeds (Jatropha). 'Pulp' implies massive biomass (Bamboo/Eucalyptus). 'Textile fibre' is the most logical fit for a stalky herb used in traditional crafts.
Connects to GS-3 (Agriculture & Economy): 'Doubling Farmers' Income' in hill states cannot rely on conventional paddy/wheat due to terrain. Niche, high-value, low-volume products like Nettle fibre are central to the 'One District One Product' (ODOP) strategy for the North East and Himalayan states.