1. Introduction 1.1 Background of the Study Nettle is a flowering wild shrub, available in most of the Himalayan regions of Nepal.

It is Himalayan Giant and Stinging Nettle which belongs to the family of Urticaceae under plant kingdom. Scientific name of the Nettle is Girardinia Diversifolia and is also known as Allo (Nepali), Khi: (Kulung), Puwa (Western parts of Nepal) and informally Bhangra. Nettle prefers well-drained, light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils in the altitude ranging from 1200m to 3500m (Singh and Shrestha, 1985, p. 1), 1200m to 3000m (Himalayan Natural Fiber Foundations manuals) and 1500m to 3000m (Chyasi, 2067 V.S., p. 1). The plant is annual/perennial plant growing from 1.5m to 3m (9ft 10in). Leaf length ranges from 10cm to 17cm. The aerial part is armed with numerous willowy stinging hairs. It flowers from August to October, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The flowers are dioecious (both male and female flowers are born in the same plant). Nettle is a natural plant used for multi-purpose in rural areas of Nepal as well in urban. Its young leaves and inflorescences are cooked as a green vegetable as well as its leaves and roots are used as a medicine from ancient time. It is fibre yielding plant. Using the fibre of the Nettle plant, different types of clothes and other materials are manufactured. The nettle clothes and materials are very much useful from health perspective as well as its durability. It can be allay for blood pressure, sugar and other skin diseases. Nettle clothes and materials are more durable than other clothes and materials. Bark of the Nettle stem contains fibres of unique qualities: strength, smoothness and lightness. After processing raw bark, approximately a silk-like luster fibre appears. Fiber length is found up to 580mm, which is said the longest fibre in the plant kingdom (Chyasi, ibid). From the Nettle fibres coat, cap, scarf, muffler, shawl, sweater, bag, wallet, shoes, slippers, cushion cover, table cover, towel, jacket, table mat, table runner, bed cover, carpet and lampshade etc. are prepared or made and are more attractive and long lasting than others. Materials made up of such processed Nettle fibres can be sold in national and international markets in good prices. So the rural people can generate
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foreign capital living in their home places as well their entrepreneurial capacity can be enhanced. Himalayan and hilly region indigenous people of Nepal, specifically Kirat Kulung peoples development history relates with the cultivation of Himalayan Nettle fiber. They need to have nettle fibre (Khi) in their every livelihood activities. It other words, Kulung people use the nettle products from their womb to tomb. They use it as green vegetable in its early stage of its development, which contains vitamins. They harvest it in the months of late October to December from community forests and public pastures. They have been using it to make thread, rope and tie cattle, fence and in other household necessities as well as in the worship from ancient time. According to Kirat mythology, nettle products had been used in the time of Kirati ancestral father Khokchilip. So the Kirat civilisation goes through the cultivation and production of wild nettle fiber. Nettle plant is found territories around eastern parts of Asia- India, China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Malaysia and Srilanka. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Nepal is rich in natural resources. Among the natural resources, Himalayan Giant Nettle is one of the important plants in the Himalayan regions of Nepal. It is famous for its unique smooth fibre through which useful materials can be manufactured. In the present days (not more than two and half decades) the Nettle production is highly promoted by NGOs/INGOs so as to make the rural people strong in economic development and enhance to rural entrepreneurships. That made the rural people acknowledged to identify the Nettle fibre as a useful plant and fueled to transfer traditional skills and knowledge into small industry. Rural people, especially rural women have been cultivating and weaving nettle fibres so as to fulfil their household needs from ancient time. Now days, the Nettle productions have been commercialized and marketised nationally and internationally, so that rural women are in the quest to make it as their profession. However, role of the Nettle productions in the development of rural people is unidentified still now; so that rural people are unknown about the importance and sustainability of the Nettle productions. Because of vagueness about the role and
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importance of the Nettle productions, rural people are unable to identify the market price of their production and are facing problem of being less competitive in the market. So, it is necessary to find out the solution to these problems. The study will seek to find out the answers to the following problems: a. What is the role of the Nettle production in the development of rural people? b. How does the Nettle production help in the development of rural people? c. How can the Nettle production be promoted more to alleviate the rural poverty? d. Does the Nettle production promote the rural entrepreneurships? e. Does the nettle production help in rural sustainable development? 1.3 Objectives of the Study The study will have the following objectives: a. To identify the role of the Nettle productions in the development of rural people. b. To identify the ways to promote the Nettle productions for being more competitive in the market. c. To study the problems regarding the Nettle productions and suggest appropriate solution. 1.4 Significance of the Study Nepal is underdeveloped land lock country. Gross National Product and Per Capita Income of Nepal is very low. According to Human Development Report, 2011, Human Development Index (HDI) rank of Nepal is 157 in 187 countries and HDI value is 0.458. Economic growth rate of Nepal is 4.5% and 25.4% population are under the vicious circle of poverty (Fiscal Year, 2066/67). These facts show that many people are facing problem of hand to mouth in Nepal. Development of Nepal is very low and slow, so people in rural area have been facing many problems. In this situation, recognition and sustainable utilisation of natural resources can be one of the significant means to strengthen the quick development of Nepal.
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Nepal, rich in natural resources with large biodiversity, but is unable to utilise these natural gifts. By proper recognition and utilisation of large mass of natural resources, sustainable development of Nepal is possible. Similarly, in the sustainable development of rural people, Nettle production can play an important role. Large mass of raw Nettle fibres have been wasting every year in rural areas because of lack of proper recognition and identification of their importance. So, this research work will focus on identification of the importance or role of the Nettle productions in the development of rural people and which may enforce in the development of whole Nepal. 1.5 Limitations of the Study Any task has its own limitation because it cannot cover whole paradigm of the subject matter. Similarly, this research work also will have following limitations. a. This research work only focuses on the role played by the Nettle production in the development of rural people; neglects the role in the development of urban people. b. It will only be limited in fifty respondents of five VDCs of Sankhuwasava district, though the Nettle fiber is found in many Himalayan regions of Nepal. c. Qualitative data may not be fully reliable, so that question may be raised in the findings of the study. d. This is an academic research work so that it has time bound and budgetary limitation. 1.6 Organization of the Study This study will be divided into seven chapters. The first chapter presents the introduction of the study. It includes the background of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, significance of the study, limitations of the study and organization of the study. The second chapter is related with the review of the literature. The third chapter deals with the research methodology; under this chapter study site description and rationale for the selection of the study, research design, nature and sources of data, sampling design, data collection techniques/instruments and method of data analysis. The forth chapter deals about the presentation and analysis of data. The fifth chapter analyses the role of the Nettle production in the

development of rural people. The sixth chapter deals with the problems and prospects of Nettle production. The seventh chapter includes the conclusion; which contains the summary, findings and recommendations of the study. 2. Review of the Literature Rai (1996) carried out an anthropological case study of Tamku VDC of Sankhuwasava district on Indigenous Knowledge of the Kulung on the Use of Allo. He purposed to present anthropological perspective for the indigenous knowledge of Kulung involved in the traditional uses of Allo. He has stated that Allo is a useful plant which has been used for its fibre by many ethnic groups of Nepal. Weaving with Allo fibre is a unique art of textile making in Nepal, that is still very much practised in different parts of the country. For the Kiratese of the eastern Nepal, Allo weaving is an age-old cultural heritage and tradition of craft making. For generations, Allo plant has provided raw materials for making most of the items needed by the households including clothing, mats, sacks, bags, fishing-nets, carrying straps and ropes. Kirati weavers speak of its various uses for a long as one can remember. The recent commercialization of Allo products, Allo weaving is increasingly becoming an income generating activity in the eastern hills, particularly in Sankhuwasava district of Koshi zone. Shrestha (1999) accomplished a research work on Studies on the Himalayan Nettle (Girardinia Diversifolia) in Nepal. Objective of his study was to gather as more information as possible so as to make wider vision for further study in future. He has explained descriptively about ritual values of Himalayan Nettle, harvesting techniques, fibre processing, fuelwood requirement, spinning, bleaching, weaving, physical and chemical characteristics of the fiber, ecological study, socio-economic impact of the fibre etc. in this study. Sharma (2005) carried out a survey research on Commercialisation of Allo Products through Integrated Support in Parbat District in Salija and Kyang VDCs prominently in Magar ethnic community in Parbat. Objectives of his study were to identify the existing trend of production and resource use patterns; identify the skills used in production and capacity of entrepreneurs; and identify cost and benefits, marketing situation etc. The surveyor adopted random sampling method to select the respondents and did individual as well as key informant survey in the location. Findings of his
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survey were - Allo enterprise was very lucrative to the respondents as there was no other income generating enterprise in the village. Allo bark were collected, processed and transported to big cities for generating cash. The markets of Allo were recognised in Pokhara and Kathmandu in bigger volume where as smaller quantities of products were also sold in local markets. There were interaction between producers and purchasers as the Allo spine was demanded by big merchants in the market and producers intended to supply the finished products. Gurung (2007) carried out a research work on Indigenous Knowledge on NonTimber Forest Products (NTFPS) and Utilization of Bamboo (Nigalo) and Himalayan Nettle (Allo) in Sikles Area of Kaski District, Central Nepal. Objectives of his study were to explore and identify the plant species used as NTFPs by the people in the study area; to categorize the NTFPs according to their traditional use; and to study the socio-economic importance of Nigalo and Allo products in the study area. He found out that the NTFPs, a total of 111 species (79 species of dicot, and 21 species of monocot, four species gymnosperm, four species of pteridophytes, two species of fungi and one species of Lichen) are being used for 14 different purposes. A total of 36 disease and disorders are treated with 66 different plant species. Likewise 49 species of plants are edible plants. These edible plants are divided into three sub-use categories viz. 24 species edible fruits, 21 species vegetable, pickle and spices and five species are used for brewing alcohol. 14 species of plants are veterinary used plants, seven species of plants are agricultural implements, 16 species are of ceremonial plants, four species are of fibre yielding plants, 15 species are of poisonous plants, four species of handicrafts making plants, three species of hedge and shade plants, three species of broomstick plants two species of detergent plants, and four species of gum plants. Nigalo and Allo weaving, based on the traditional practices of Gurungs, have many prospects in terms of rural income generation, promotion of indigenous knowledge and technology, development of craft based cottage industry and improvement in socio-economic condition of marginalized and poor people especially women and landless people. They have high potentiality to be established as a rural forest based cottage industry. These traditional uses of Nigalo and Allo for domestic as well as for commercial purpose, is assisting the stimulation of indigenous entrepreneurship.

3. Methodology 3.1 Study Site Description and Rationale for the Selection of the Study Study sites of this research work are Sisuwa, Bala, Tamku, Mangtewa and Yaphu VDCs of Sankhuwasava district. These VDCs are most prevalent area for the Nettle fibre, though it is found in almost all VDCs of Sankhuwasava district. In these sites, rural indigenous people have been producing and using the Nettle productions from ancient time for their livelihood. From last one and half decade, they have been producing the Nettle goods not only for their daily use, also for selling and earning money from big markets as well as international markets. In the present time, some of the rural women in these VDCs are following it as their main profession. So, selecting these VDCs as study site would be helpful in retrieving appropriate data for the study. 3.2 Research Design This research work will mainly be based on ex-post research design, exploratory research design and descriptive research design. Role of the Nettle productions in development of rural indigenous people will be identified by exploring and describing its impacts on - social aspect, economic aspect, cultural aspect, political aspect, environmental aspect as well as educational aspect etc. 3.3 Nature and Sources of Data This research work will mainly be based on primary source of data, but secondary source of data will not be neglected, too. a. Primary Source of Data Primary source of data will be all the rural people who are involved in the production, promotion and marketisation and utilisation of the Nettle productions. b. Secondary source of data Secondary sources of data will be books, manuals, newspaper articles, magazines, brochures, as well as online sources related with this research topic.

3.4 Sampling Design a. Sampling Procedure Population of the study will be selected using stratified random sampling method from the specified VDCs. And Key informants will be selected purposively. b. Sample Size From each VDC ten/ten respondents, all together fifty will be selected from five VDCs for this study. [Sisuwa, Bala, Tamku, Mangtewa and Yaphu] 3.5 Data Collection Techniques/Instruments Semi-structured interview and observation techniques will be employed for collecting primary data with the respondents. Group discussion technique and interview schedule will also be employed in the interview with the respondents. 3.6 Method of Data Analysis The data collected from the field and other secondary sources will be analyzed descriptively. The data will be comprehensively scrutinized for their relevancy. A great effort will be made to avoid data error by comparing them with different data generated from different sources. Then the data will be coded and classified into descriptive and numerical characters. The quantitative data as well as some qualitative data will be tabulated systematically in appropriate row and column. The qualitative data will be descriptively analysed. However, different figures, tables, diagrams, maps will be employed to make interpretation more quantifiable and to reduce the descriptive statements. Description has been made precise, simple with more anthropological interpretation. Opinions of the respondents have been quoted in many places in their original form to explain some social events necessary for the works objectives. However, interpretations have been objectively made to make the work more scientific.

References Singh, S.C. and Shrestha, R. (1985). A study of the Himalayan Nettle. Kathmandu: Research Center for Applied Science and Technology, T.U. Rai, J. (1996). Indigenous knowledge of the Kulung Rais on the use of Allo: An anthropological case study of Tamku VDC of Sankhuwasava district. An unpublished thesis in M.A. Sociology and Anthropology, Tribhuvan University. Chyasi, H. (2067). A resource manual on Allo cultivation, conservation, processing, weaving and market management. Lagankhel: Shree Manjushree Press. Shrestha, R. (1999). Studies on the Himalayan Nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) in Nepal. A sabbatical leave report of Research Center for Applied Science & Technology, Tribhuvan University. Sharma, G.P. (2005). Commercialisatioin of Allo products through integrated support in Parbat district. An unpublished thesis in M.A. R.D., Tribhuvan University. Gurung, L.G. (2007). Indigenous knowledge on non-timber forest products and utilisation of (Nigalo) and Himalayan Nettle (Allo) in Sikles of Kaski district, central Nepal. An unpublished thesis in Botany, Tribhuvan University. Kehi Garaun (2012). Market study of Allo (Nettle). Submitted to Himalayan Natural Fiber Foundation (HNFF), Kathmandu. Human Development Report, 2011. Fiscal Year, 2066/67 Report