Delhi, Bengaluru Not Kashmir Emerging as Key Centres for Ladakh’s Pashmina  | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: With only a limited share of Ladakh’s famed pashmina fibre currently processed within the Union Territory, Delhi and Bengaluru are emerging as important centres for spinning and value addition, officials informed Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena during his inspection of the Pashmina Dehairing Plant in Leh on Monday.

The Lieutenant Governor visited the facility located at the Industrial Area in Leh and reviewed the functioning of the plant along with various stages involved in processing raw pashmina fibre sourced from Changthang.

Officials from the Sheep Husbandry Department, Cooperatives Department, Industries and Commerce Department, and the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Marketing Society briefed him about the processing system and the conversion of raw pashmina into fine quality dehaired fibre.

During the inspection, officials informed the Lieutenant Governor that only around 24 per cent of the pashmina fibre produced in Ladakh is currently utilised locally, while trial interventions for spinning of pashmina fibre undertaken at centres in Delhi and Bengaluru have shown encouraging and successful results.

They stated that raw pashmina fibre obtained from Changthang goats contains dust, mud, grease and other impurities accumulated during grazing in high-altitude pastures. The fibre undergoes multiple stages of cleaning, washing, rinsing, drying and conditioning before the fine pashmina fibre is separated from coarse fibre through the dehairing process.

Reiterating his vision to establish Ladakh as a global hub for premium pashmina fibre, Saxena stressed the need to ensure greater recognition and economic benefits for the nomadic herders and pastoral communities of Changthang engaged in pashmina production.

He said strengthening local processing, improving quality standards and promoting value addition within Ladakh would significantly improve the livelihoods of pashmina growers while preserving the region’s traditional heritage.

The Lieutenant Governor directed officials to explore the utilisation of coarse fibre for manufacturing products such as rugs and carpets, stating that such products have substantial market demand and could create additional livelihood opportunities for local communities.

He also directed departments to focus on spinning and yarn production of pashmina fibre and to provide training to entrepreneurs in order to build local capacity in the sector.

Observing that the dehairing facility forms an important component of the administration’s larger efforts to build a sustainable and globally competitive pashmina ecosystem in Ladakh, the Lieutenant Governor directed departments to ensure optimal utilisation of modern infrastructure for enhancing production efficiency and maintaining global quality standards.

Officials also informed him that Ladakh’s raw pashmina fibre has already received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, while efforts are underway to secure GI tagging for hand-spun pashmina as well.