A. Pashmina Wool Development Scheme
India produces the finest Pashmina in the world, the main and best quality coming from
the Ladakh region of J&K and a little from mountainous terrain at similar altitude in other states.
However, quantity is dwindling under pressure of illegal imports from China, falling prices and
pressure on land. Marketing of wool is totally in the hands of traders. Prices fluctuate widely
from season to season. The states Sheep Boards have either blocked their revolving fund
through uneconomic purchases of sheep wool and cannot provide support, or simply ignore the
produce. Pashmina is produced by Changra (Pashmina) goat in Ladakh and Chegu breed of
goat in the eastern parts of Himalayas in India. The goats are reared in Ladakh by the Changpa
tribe inhabiting Changthang region. Pashmina bearing goats are also found in other areas of Leh
district, Zanskar (Kargil district) and adjoining Lahoul-Spitti valley of Himachal Pradesh.
Changthang plateau produced pashmina is considered the finest in the world.
There are 2.45 lakhs Pashmina Goats in Ladhak, which can produce Pashmina in varying
quantities depending upon purpose of rearing, husbandry condition and pasture possibilities in
addition to localities. Due to old tradition of non – exchange of germ plasm from place to place,
many local type goats can be found in Ladakh. Essentially, these goats come from the same
larger genetic pool and all the Ladhaki goats share lot of commonalities in respect of phenotype
also. With the help of a sound and meaningful breeding programme, Ladakh can produce a
reasonably good quantity of pashmina of good quality .The above livestock numbers is
negligible if the total area of Ladakh is kept into consideration with all its land and water
resources, which are in abundance. Ladakh produces an estimated 32 M.T of raw pashmina from
the traditional; areas and about 5 M.T from some pockets of non- traditional areas at the moment.
An Adult pashmina produces approximately 250 gms (average) raw pashmina per year but these
are instances when individual male goats produced upto 920 gms at pashmina goat project
Upshi. The average fibre diameter of Changra has been found to be 13-16 micron and that of the
“Malra” to be below 15-micron.
1.
Pashmina development project
During the 10th plan the Central Wool Development Board had launched a project for
Pashmina development Project as it was proposed by Animal Husbandry department
Government of J&K for the development of Pashmina Wool in at Leh- Ladakh region under
Prime Minister Special Package and released necessary grant in aid for Rs. 110.75 lakhs under
various activities as 1st project year to benefit 800 families from traditional & non traditional
areas. The project is being implemented through Chief Executive Officer, Ladakh Autonomous
Hills Development, Leh. The implementing agency could not implement the project in time
bound manner due to heavy snowfall; draught and low pasture possibilities and high altitude,
extreme climate, remoteness and law & order situation. To benefit the rest of beneficiaries i.e.
2400 families under various components and to achieve the targets, the CWDB intends to
continue this project in next three years (2007-08 to 2009-2010) during the 11th five year Plan.
2.
Aims & Object of the Project

To provide the inputs necessary for breed improvement, training, health care and
nutritional for Pashmina goat breeding and development;
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Stabilize marketing arrangements through cooperatives/federations of Pashmina wool
producers; and
To establish means for the early stages of processing within the region and its operation
by wool producers’ federations for first stage value addition.
To increase the income from wool of the goat rearers and sustain their interest in this
activity as a reliable means of livelihood.
To increase yield of Pashmina to 50 MT
To organize the Pashmina producers into federation or cooperatives on the lines of the
successful milk federation of NDDB
To streamline marketing systems for raw and partially processed Pashmina with a view to
obtain higher incomes for the Pashmina woolgrowers.
Components
The components wise activities to be taken up in next three years are as under
Buck Exchange Programme: The idea behind the scheme will be to bring about a high level of heterogeneity in the
goat flocks to reduce the chances and also the negative impact of inbreeding as the breeders,
especially the nomadic breeders possessing good livestock number, traditionally graze their
livestock separately and keep one buck in one flock for many years increasing chances of
inbreeding in the respective flocks.
The heterogeneity thus brought about, will surely improve chances of enhanced pashmina
production from individual goats.
Rs. 500-1000 shall be paid to each participating breeders who are ready to part with their
bucks and accept fresh/new bucks arranged by Sheep Husbandry Department. A tentative 500
breeders shall be brought under the ambit of the scheme each year for which 500 bucks (Five
month to three years old) shall needed for exchange.
Rs. 3.75 lacs @ average Rs. 750/- animal shall be required for payment of incentives on
500 bucks, their transportation to the target beneficiaries and also for miscellaneous expanses on
their feed, labour and T.A. /D.A. of staff each year i.e. Rs. 10.50 lacs for 3 years.

Distribution of high quality pashmina bucks in non-traditional areas to enhance
pashmina production.
300 quality bucks to be purchased and transported to the target areas, every year, for free
distribution to breeders holding, at least 30 breedable Does. The breeder will have to execute an
agreement with the Govt. to the effect that the buck will remain in common property for at least
4 years from the date of issue after which the breeder will own it completely.
The idea will be to bring about a qualitative change in the goat population of the breeder
for increased pashmina production. Moreover, the breeders in the non-traditional pashmina
producing regions graze their livestock together under roster provision for shepherding. The
buck will bring about change in the village flock also.
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
Training of formation of Breeders Association (Gilds) or village Pashmina
Cooperative Societies: The de-hairing project sanctioned by the Central Wool Development Board, Govt. of
India, Ministry of Textiles has provisions for assistance in setting up of pashmina growers
cooperatives at the District level and also at the village and block levels. The people have to be
highly sensitized and educated by organizing these camps in collaboration with the cooperative
department at Leh. 20 training camps will be organized in the first year for the purpose, as there
are 22 small village level cooperative societies in Changthang at the moment. Rs. 2.50 lac is
proposed to be spent on the arrangements for each camp to motivate and sensitize the members
of the 22 multipurpose small cooperative societies.

Establishment of Fodder BankThe department has established feed banks in Changthang where more than 3000
Quintals of Feed/Barely is stored every year for supply to breeders during crisis period of winter.
It has been observed over the year that the nomads are not able to pay the landed cost of feed.
Hence the department had to arrange for subsidy for timely disposal of the feed stored at the feed
banks. It is a fact that the transportation cost is very high in Ladakh as the nomadic hamlets are
located for away from Leh. In all fairness, the transports need to be completely subsidized so
that the nomads are able to lift the feed/fodder and save the livestock.
We propose setting up of fodder banks in the pattern of feed banks for which a revolving
fund shall be needed. This will be a crisis management mechanism and shall be in operation
irrespective of calamity or no calamity as feed/fodder cannot be stored for long periods of time.
Rs. 10.00 lacs shall be needed for purchases of approximately 1250 Qtls. Rs. 30.00 lacs is
required for 3 years. The fodder banks are proposed to set up at Kharnak, Samad, Angkung
(Sumdo), Korzok, Tegajung Deque Karluk, Phobrang and Kargium villages in Changthang.
 Training refreshers to Nomadic Breeders as Paramedics: The area of Changthang is spread over an area approximately of 22000 sq. km. The
Changpas are migratory and remain in migration through out the years. The Govt. extension
centers are located at particular stations. Although it is mandatory on the pat of the extension
centers to remain in migration with the private breeders (nomads) yet it is practically difficult to
do so. Hence, it is proposed to train some youth (nomadic and others) in the use of simple
medicines and also other aspects of breeding and management of livestock so that their services
are available to the nomadic communities every time. The Veterinary paramedic shall be
provided with Vety. Kits and a continuous supply of medicines shall be ensured under health
coverage schemes.

Health Coverage:
At least 10 essential vet. Medicines and 2 Vaccines i.e. against FMD and PPR (once a
year) shall be procured in good quantity and some simple equipments e.g. syringes, needles,
drenching guns, hoof cutters, gloves, sterilization sets, instrument sets etc. shall be procured for
supply to the breeders and Veterinary paramedics, free of cost. An estimated No. of 1.00 lac
pashmina goats are proposed to be treated under the scheme and an average Rs. 10/- is proposed
to be spent per goat.
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
Refresher Course to Inservice Candidates for 3 days/breeders camps: The work force of the department shall be imparted training in the latest advances in
medicines, techniques of breeding and management etc and the breeder conferences/ camps shall
also be organised in order to motivate the breeders to go for quality and quantity production of
pashmina through adoption of scientific techniques.
Four refresher courses for in-service candidates and 8 breeder camps for breeders shall be
organized every year. A provision for Rs 2.30 Lacs per year has made for this activity.

Fodder Development
Fodder availability is the singly most important stumbling block for increased pashmina
production. The nomadic areas, traditionally, do not produce grass for harvest and storage for
winter use. In absence of stacked fodder grass during winter, livestock have to perish in the
thousands at the time of calamities as a result of heavy snowfall during some winters.
Three different sites will be selected to develop and grow fodder. The sites are proposed
to be fenced, reclaimed and irrigation water is proposed to be arranged through drawing simple
irrigation canals. One site shall be developed every year under the project. The recurring cost on
account of purchase of seed/implements and other accessories shall be provided under the project
and also by debit to the normal schemes of the department and other related departments in Leh.
Rs. 7.40 lacs are proposed for 3 years for land development.

Provision of Improved Pashmina Combs for Efficient Harvesting of Pashmina: This is a continuing scheme under BADP (China Border) under which the nomadic
breeders provide an improved pashmina comb free of cost to the pashmina breeder to replace the
obsolete wooden comb traditionally used. Although majority of the breeders have been covered
under the scheme in Chagthang region yet the non-traditional areas need also to be brought under
this scheme for which there is no provision of funding from the State sector or the BADP.
Hence Rs. 6.00 lacs (2.00 lacs every Year) is proposed for the purpose. 1000 combs shall be
distributed every year to the breeders @ Rs. 200/- per comb approximately.
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PASHMINA DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Project funded by: -
Central Wool Development Board, Ministry of Textiles,
Govt. of India, Jodhpur.
Project Implementation by: -
Animal Husbandry Department, Govt. of J.&K. through
Ladakh Hill Development Council, Leh.
Project period: -
3 years (2007-08 to 2009-2010)
No. of Families to be covered: -
800 Families per Year.
Total Cost of Project : Funding Pattern :-
Rs. 127.50 lacs
Rs. 100% grant by Central Wool Development Board
The year wise physical & financial targets for 3 years project period (2007-08 to 2009-10) are as underRs. In Lakhs
S.
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Sanctioned Components
Buck exchange programme for traditional Area
(500 Number @ Rs. 750 per Buck) (In first year400
buck)
Distribution of high quality pashmina bucks in non
traditional area
(300 number @ Rs.2000 per Buck) (In first year 200
buck)
Training for formation of breeders Association (Guilds)
or village pashmina cooperative societies
Number of Camps- 10 camps per year @ Rs. 25,000/Numbers of Breeders –200 in each camp
Establishment of fodder bank (3)
Training to nomadic breeders as paramedics ( 1 Batch
of 50 persons in a year)
Health Coverage
(One Lakhs Animals per year @ 10/- per animal)
Refresher course to in service candidate/ breeders
camps
(2 courses for In service candidates- 70 workers per
year)
(6 camps for breeders per year- 50 breeders per camp)
Fodder development
(One site per year)
Purchase of improved iron pashmina combs
(1000 combs per year)
Total Rs :
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1st
Year
3.00
2nd
year
3.75
3rd year
Total
3.75
10.50
4.00
6.00
6.00
16.00
2.50
-
-
2.50
10.00
10.00
10.00
30.00
6.00
6.00
6.00
18.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
30.00
2.30
2.30
2.30
6.90
-
3.70
3.70
2.20
2.00
2.00
6.20
40.00
43.75
43.75
127.50
7.40
5
Component-wise indicative financial implication for ‘Pashmina Wool Development Programme’
during the 11th Five Year Plan for Rs. 1.275 crore is as under :
Activity
Unit
Funds required
[Rs. in lakhs]
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
Total
-
0.030
0.0375
0.0375
-
0.1050
-
0.04
0.06
0.06
-
0.16
0.025
-
-
-
-
0.025
0.066
0.134
0.10
-
-
0.30
0.06
0.06
0.06
-
-
0.18
One lakh animals
per year @ Rs.
10/- per animal
7 Refresher course to in 2 courses for 70
service candidate/breeders workers per year
camps
and 6 camps for
(2 courses for in service breeders year – 50
candidates – 70 workers per breeders per camp
year)
(6 camps for breeders year
– 50 breeders per camp)
8 Fodder development
One site per year
-
0.10
0.10
0.10
-
0.30
-
0.023
0.023
0.023
-
0.069
-
-
0.037
0.037
-
0.074
9 Purchase of improved iron 1000 combs per
pashmina combs
year
-
0.022
0.020
0.020
-
0.062
0.151
0.409
0.4375
0.2775
-
1.275
Development of Pashmina in
Traditional Areas
1 Buck exchange programme 500 number @ Rs.
for traditional area (first 750 per Buck
year 400 bucks)
2 Distribution of high quality 300 number @ Rs.
pashmina bucks in non- 2000 per Buck per
traditional area (First year year
200 bucks)
3 Training for formation of Number of camps
breeders
Associations – 20 per year
[guilds] or village pashmina No. of breederscooperative societies (1st 200 in each camp
year 10 camps)
4 Establishment of feed/ 3 fodder banks
fodder banks
1000 Qtls. Feed &
1500 Qtls. Fodder
5 Training
to
nomadic 3 Batches of 50
breeders as paramedics
persons in a year
6 Health Coverage
Total
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