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

The correct answer is D) Textile fibre. Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia), known locally as Allo in parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, has a long, strong bast fibre. Hill communities have used it for centuries to make rope, bags, and garments. Because it grows wild and needs little external input, it is promoted as a sustainable natural fibre for rural livelihoods.

• A) Anti-malarial drug: The anti-malarial source is Artemisia annua, which yields artemisinin. Cinchona gives quinine. Neither is linked to this nettle.
• B) Biodiesel: Biodiesel feedstocks are oilseeds such as Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata (karanja). Girardinia is not an oil source.
• C) Pulp for paper industry: Paper pulp comes mainly from bamboo, bagasse, and wood species such as eucalyptus. Nettle is not a commercial pulp source.

This sits in GS III, under sustainable livelihoods, value addition to non-timber forest produce, and the link between biodiversity and rural income.

Trap: Aspirants often pick C because the nettle is a plant fibre, which pulls them toward paper. Fibre used for textiles and fibre used for pulp are different markets.