UPSC Prelims 2019 GS Paper I · Q31 of 100 Environment & Ecology hard

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

  1. (a) anti-malarial drug
  2. (b) biodiesel
  3. (c) pulp for paper industry
  4. (d) textile fibre ✓ UPSC's answer

Why the answer is (d)

• Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia), called 'allo' in Nepal and Uttarakhand, is a tall wild perennial whose stem bark yields one of the longest and strongest natural bast fibres.

• Mountain communities spin it into textiles, bags and mats; it is being promoted as a sustainable, wild-harvested fibre for eco-fashion — option (d).

• It has no role as an anti-malarial (a), biodiesel source (b) or paper pulp (c).

• Hence option (d).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) anti-malarial drug
It is not an anti-malarial source.
(b) biodiesel
It is not used for biodiesel.
(c) pulp for paper industry
It is valued for fibre, not paper pulp.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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