SRINAGAR: Ladakh is set to transform its globally acclaimed pashmina wool into a stronger regional brand, with the administration working to ensure that the entire value chain—from rearing pashmina goats to marketing finished products—benefits local communities. The move comes as the region produces around 45 metric tons of raw pashmina wool annually, yielding 9 metric tons of fine dehaired fibre, considered among the finest in the world at just 12 microns.
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The Lt Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), chaired a meeting with key officials and stakeholders at the LG Secretariat to review measures for promoting pashmina and supporting herders, self-help groups, and artisans. Stressing the strategic importance of the Changthang plateau in this effort, he said the region must become a centre for value addition and branding, especially following the recent GI tagging of Ladakhi pashmina.
The LG underlined the need to support pashmina goat herders with training, modern equipment, and market access so that they receive maximum benefit. He directed officials to identify stakeholders across the pashmina value chain and prepare a flow chart mapping their responsibilities, from shearing and dehairing to production and sales.
Deliberations also covered the need to establish standard operating procedures for the sustainability of the dehairing plant, address operational issues at Common Facilitation Centres, and set up yarn banks to support local weaving units. There was consensus on the importance of encouraging the use of fine pashmina wool within Ladakh itself rather than sending it out in raw form.
Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar, IAS, highlighted the need to go beyond production and invest in branding and marketing, particularly by training the younger generation in these areas to keep them involved in the traditional craft.
The Lieutenant Governor also called for steps to increase the pashmina goat population and involve youth in the sector through capacity-building programmes.
Among those present were Chief Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS; Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar, IAS; Commissioner/Secretary to the LG Dr L Franklin, IAS; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS; Director, Industries and Commerce, Mohd Ashraf Bhat, JKAS; and representatives of the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Marketing Cooperative Society.
