Srinagar, July 29: The Union Government has commissioned Ladakh’s first Pashmina de-hairing plant, enabling the UT to process its world-renowned raw fibre locally for the first time and to modernise the Pashmina sector in the Union Territory and reduce dependence on external processing centres.Installed with ancillary machinery under the Integrated Wool Development Programme (IWDP), the de-hairing plant is expected to transform Ladakh’s Pashmina value chain by streamlining fibre refinement, improving turnaround times, and ensuring higher returns for local herders and artisans.The move is being hailed as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening Ladakh’s economic resilience while preserving its centuries-old Pashmina tradition. Officials said the plant will allow producers to retain a greater share of value within the region and create new avenues for quality control and branding.Alongside the plant, the government has introduced advanced fibre testing infrastructure, including the installation of a Micro Plate PCR-DNA Analyzer for fibre authentication—essential for meeting global export standards.The Ministry of Textiles has also extended targeted support to Ladakh’s nomadic communities, particularly the Changpa herders. Portable tents and predator-proof corrals fitted with LED lights are being distributed to improve mobility and livestock safety in high-altitude pastures. Simultaneously, traditional handloom infrastructure is being upgraded through the supply of looms and charkhas to local artisans.A revolving fund has been sanctioned to strengthen the marketing of raw Pashmina wool, enabling producers to negotiate better prices and access structured markets with greater confidence.In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday, Union Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh informed that Rs 18.56 crore has been allocated for Pashmina development projects in Ladakh under the IWDP, of which Rs 14.46 crore has already been utilised.The ministry said that the ongoing interventions aim to integrate technology, heritage, and livelihood into a unified framework, positioning Ladakh not only as a source of premium fibre but also as a centre for sustainable and self-reliant Pashmina production.
