Correct Option
The correct option isA type of wool obtained from the Chiru.
Explanation
Shahtoosh (Persian for "King of Wools") is an ultra-fine fiber obtained from the undercoat of the Tibetan Antelope, locally known as the Chiru (Pantholops hodgsonii).
Detailed Analysis
- Source: The Chiru inhabits the high-altitude plateaus of Tibet and the Changthang region of Ladakh. The wool is renowned for being extremely light yet providing immense warmth.
- Ecological Impact: Unlike Pashmina, which is sheared from live goats, Shahtoosh is traditionally collected by killing the Chiru. This unsustainable practice has critically endangered the species.
- Legal Status: The Chiru is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, affording it absolute protection. Furthermore, international trade in Shahtoosh is banned under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Key Takeaway: Shahtoosh is a banned wool derived from the endangered Tibetan Antelope (Chiru), distinct from Pashmina which is obtained from the Changthangi goat.