Ladakh Board Approved to Boost Pashmina Industry and Herder Incomes

A board operating in Ladakh was approved by the Lieutenant Governor to oversee the development of the region's traditional economy associated with Pashmina. The board is tasked with implementing the 'Ladakh Pashmina Mission,' which focuses on improving the genetic quality of Changthangi goats and implementing climate adaptation strategies. The organization aims to systematically increase the livestock population and boost the incomes of pastoral communities through new handicraft and textile employment.

The initiative seeks to establish localized processing infrastructure and artisan clusters to maximize value addition within the Union Territory. By doing so, the board aims to reduce the traditional dependence of local herders on exploitative intermediaries and strengthen the domestic value chain.