Centre Approves Rs 18.56 Cr for Pashmina Growth in Ladakh

SRINAGAR: The windswept Changthang plateau in Ladakh, home to the prized Changthangi goats, is set to benefit from a major government push to revitalise its traditional Pashmina economy. As part of the Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP), the Centre has sanctioned projects worth Rs 18.56 crore to support wool production, nomadic livelihoods, and local handloom infrastructure, Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Responding to a query by MP Mohmad Haneefa, Singh confirmed that Rs 14.46 crore of the sanctioned amount has already been utilised. The initiative, led by the Central Wool Development Board, will continue through the 2025–26 fiscal year, targeting improvements across the Pashmina value chain — from raw fibre processing to artisan empowerment.

A key highlight is the installation of a modern Pashmina de-hairing plant in the Union Territory. This facility will enhance fibre processing by separating fine undercoat wool from coarser hair, cutting wastage and enabling value addition closer to the source. Officials say this will directly benefit Ladakhi artisans and Pashmina goat herders by improving both quality and earnings.

To improve the resilience of the region’s nomadic communities, the government has also sanctioned the distribution of 200 portable tents and the construction of 150 predator-proof corrals equipped with LED lighting. These corrals are designed to protect livestock from natural predators like wolves and snow leopards, which pose a significant threat to the region’s valuable goat population.

Additionally, a revolving wool marketing fund has been created to support 103 Pashmina nomads. The fund aims to stabilise their incomes by reducing reliance on middlemen, enabling better price realisation, and offering working capital for local procurement and processing.

In a technological upgrade, the ministry has sanctioned the purchase of Micro Plate PCR-DNA Analyzer equipment to aid in fibre testing and traceability — a growing requirement in international textile markets where fibre authenticity and origin are increasingly under scrutiny.

Handloom support is also central to the government’s strategy. Under the scheme, artisans, many of them women will receive traditional tools such as handlooms and charkhas to continue the age-old craft of weaving Pashmina shawls and garments, helping preserve Ladakh’s cultural heritage while generating sustainable livelihoods.

With emphasis on infrastructure, technology, and welfare, the IWDP initiative marks a significant step in reinforcing Ladakh’s position as a global hub for high-quality Pashmina, while ensuring that development reaches its high-altitude herding communities.