Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the establishment of the Ladakh Pashmina Development Board (LPDB), a first-of-its-kind dedicated body aimed at promoting Ladakhi Pashmina in global markets.
According to an official statement, the Board will work towards transforming the entire Pashmina value chain while empowering pastoral communities dependent on the sector. Officials said the initiative marks a significant milestone in the Union Territory Administration’s efforts to create a robust and sustainable ecosystem around Ladakh Pashmina, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest and most luxurious natural fibres.
Ladakh is home to nearly two lakh Pashmina goats. The Board aims to increase the population of these goats and enhance the income of pastoral communities. It is also expected to generate employment opportunities in the textile and handicrafts sectors, promote value addition within Ladakh and reduce dependence on intermediaries.
“Ladakh Pashmina is not merely a fibre; it is an enduring symbol of Ladakh’s cultural heritage, pastoral traditions and resilience. 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,” Saxena said.
Recognising the need for an institutional mechanism to strengthen the entire Pashmina value chain and create sustainable market linkages, the Board has been tasked with guiding, supervising and augmenting resources for the holistic development of the sector.
The Board will focus on transforming raw Ladakhi Pashmina into a premium, high-value product, improving market returns and maximising benefits for all stakeholders, particularly the nomadic Changpa herders, who are the primary producers of raw Pashmina and live in some of the harshest climatic conditions.
The newly constituted body comprises two principal wings — the Governing Body, chaired by the Lieutenant Governor, and the Executive Committee, headed by the Chief Secretary of Ladakh. The Governing Body will provide strategic direction, approve long-term policies and infrastructure projects, and facilitate coordination among government departments, financial institutions and industry stakeholders. It will also oversee branding, certification, export promotion and sustainability initiatives.
As part of its programme framework, the Board will implement the Ladakh Pashmina Mission, focusing on improving the productivity and genetic quality of Changthangi goats, strengthening high-altitude rangelands through climate-resilient measures, establishing local processing infrastructure and promoting artisan clusters. It will also work towards positioning Ladakh Pashmina as a premium luxury fibre through certification systems, digital traceability mechanisms and participation in international trade fairs.
