Leh: In a boost to the Pashmina wool sector, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Wednesday approved the creation of the Ladakh Pashmina Development Board to transform the Union territory into a global centre for authentic Pashmina products.
The Ladakh Pashmina Development Board (LPDB) will be the country’s first dedicated body to promote Ladakhi Pashmina globally, thereby transforming the Pashmina value chain and empowering the pastoral communities, a Lok Bhavan spokesperson said.
“The constitution of the Ladakh Pashmina Development Board is a historic step towards ensuring that our nomadic communities receive the benefits they rightfully deserve, and that Ladakh emerges as the global hub of authentic and premium Pashmina products.
“Our goal is to create an integrated, sustainable and globally competitive Pashmina ecosystem that safeguards livelihoods while preserving Ladakh’s unique identity,” Saxena said.
The Board will comprise two principal bodies – a governing body chaired by the lieutenant governor, and an executive committee chaired by the chief secretary, the spokesperson said.
The governing body will provide overall strategic direction for the development of the Pashmina sector, approve long-term vision documents, policies, major projects and infrastructure initiatives, and facilitate convergence among government departments, financial institutions and industry stakeholders.
It will also guide global branding, certification, export promotion and sustainability initiatives for the sector, the spokesperson said.
As part of its programme architecture, he said the Board will implement the Ladakh Pashmina Mission with a focus on improving the productivity and genetic quality of Changthangi goats.
It will also work for strengthening high-altitude rangelands through climate adaptation strategies, establishing local processing infrastructure, promoting artisan clusters and positioning Ladakh Pashmina as a premium luxury fibre in global markets through certification systems, digital traceability mechanisms and participation in international trade fairs, he said.
The spokesperson added that the establishment of the Board will mark a significant milestone in the UT administration’s efforts to build a robust and sustainable ecosystem around Ladakh Pashmina, renowned globally as one of the world’s finest and most luxurious natural fibres.
“Ladakh is estimated to have nearly two lakh Pashmina goats. Establishment of the Board is also aimed at increasing the number of Pashmina goats, thereby enhancing the income of the pastoral communities.
“It will also create new employment opportunities in the textile and handicrafts sector, increase value addition within Ladakh and reduce dependence on intermediaries,” the spokesperson said.
The Board will work to transform raw Ladakhi Pashmina into a premium, high-value product, improve market returns, and maximise benefits for all stakeholders, particularly the nomadic Changpa herders, who face some of the harshest living conditions and are the primary producers of raw Pashmina, he added.
