The Union Government has commissioned Ladakh’s first-ever Pashmina de-hairing plant, enabling the Union Territory to locally process its globally renowned raw Pashmina fibre for the first time. The initiative aims to modernise the region’s Pashmina sector and reduce its dependence on external processing centres.
Installed with ancillary machinery under the Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP), the plant is expected to transform Ladakh’s Pashmina value chain by streamlining fibre refinement, reducing turnaround times, and increasing earnings for local herders and artisans.
Officials have hailed the project as a strategic step towards boosting Ladakh’s economic resilience while safeguarding its centuries-old Pashmina heritage. The facility will allow producers to retain more value within the region, while also opening up new opportunities for quality control and branding.
In addition to the plant, the government has introduced advanced fibre testing infrastructure, including the installation of a Micro Plate PCR-DNA Analyzer. This cutting-edge tool will authenticate fibre quality—crucial for meeting international export standards through DNA certification.
The Ministry of Textiles has also extended targeted support to Ladakh’s nomadic Changpa herders, who are integral to Pashmina production. The support includes the distribution of portable tents and predator-proof corrals fitted with LED lights, designed to enhance livestock protection and herder mobility in harsh, high-altitude pastures.
Simultaneously, traditional handloom infrastructure is being modernised with the supply of new looms and charkhas to local artisans, promoting craftsmanship and production efficiency.
To strengthen the marketing of raw Pashmina wool, a revolving fund has been sanctioned, enabling producers to secure better prices and access structured markets with increased bargaining power.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday, Union Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh stated that ₹18.56 crore has been allocated for Pashmina development projects in Ladakh under the IWDP, with ₹14.46 crore already utilised.
The ministry emphasized that these ongoing interventions aim to integrate technology, tradition, and livelihood into a unified ecosystem—positioning Ladakh not only as a premium source of Pashmina fibre, but also as a self-reliant and sustainable centre of excellence in fibre processing. (Agencies)
