
In ancient times, the local dwellers of Uttarakhand made clothes out of Bhimal plant fiber. Grevia optiva, locally known as “Bhimal”, is a perennial, evergreen tree which is 45 feet tall and 4.5 feet in girth. Its leaves make good fodder for livestock, bark of branches gives a Bast fiber made up of Sclerenchyma tissue, which upon maturing comprises dead cells with heavily thickened walls containing lignin and 60%–80% cellulose, which provides structural support.

Seeds of Grewia optiva can be used for extracting natural dyes. These dyes can be used for dyeing fabrics of cotton, silk, wool and jute by using alum, ferrous sulphate, copper sulphate, potassium dichromate and stannous chloride as mordants.

Bhimal is useful in its entirety, its roots hold the soil and leaves provide shade as well as cool the air and purify it.
Villagers extract Bhimal fiber by a process called Retting, during which the branches of the tree are cut in winter and lowered in water for a month. The soaked branches are beaten to extract the fiber. Extracted fiber is a rich but an under utilised resource for weaving textiles including Area rugs, Carpets, Yardage, Lamp shades, Upholstery, Shoe uppers, Jackets, Coats, Hats, Spectacle cases, Pouches, Bags, Table linen, Kitchen linen and Bed spreads.

Properties of Bhimal fiber characterise high tensile strength, biodegradable, insect barrier, antimicrobial, antifungal and fairly long filaments with a natural yellow hue.
The Bhimal fiber blends well with other fibers and is beneficial as a health fiber, used by doctors for patients in dressing supplies such as bandages and gauze, sleeves, clothing and masks for the Medical industry.
Considering the qualities of Grevia optiva trees, it sure is a boon to the local population of Uttarakhand. The Rural Development and Industrial Sector of Uttarakhand Government must take keen measures to uplift the livelihood of hardworking crafts people, who are skilled and devoted. Bhimal is superior to Jute and can contribute to voluminous uplift of the youth of Uttarakhand.