LEH: Liberal subsidies, protection for the livestock and zero-carbon emission pens are some of the key features of the comprehensive plan the Ladakh administration is devising to preserve and promote Pashmina production in the union territory, besides enhancing the financial empowerment of sheep and goat herders.
This was revealed by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) who held a meeting at Raj Niwas with concerned stakeholders engaged in pashmina activities to discuss a slew of promotional policies.
Noting that pashmina will be lost forever if concrete steps are not taken to conserve this precious asset, the LG highlighted the need for promoting Pashmina goat keeping and enhancing Pashmina wool production in mission mode, as he requested for the cooperation of the people engaged in the promotion of pashmina.
Mishra informed about the administration’s plan to increase the population of pashmina goats, increase the production of pashmina wool and help the herders get a good rate for the pashmina wool.
“The Administration is planning to set up zero-carbon emission pens for pashmina goats and provide subsidies to the herders,” said the LG and informed that veterinary doctors will also be made available for goats and sheep.
He also highlighted the need to provide adequate facilities, such as telecommunication connectivity, education, electricity, etc to the herders along with protecting the livestock from wild animals so that the people engaged in this occupation do not have to migrate to the city.
“Such initiatives will facilitate in making livestock rearing a lucrative option for the herders along with their children,” he said.
He also highlighted the need to bring down the mortality rate of pashmina goat kids to achieve the goal of increasing the population along with the production of pashmina wool.
The LG inquired about the quantity of production of pashmina wool in Ladakh, the rate at which pashmina wool is sold and the issues faced by the pashmina goat herders. He emphasised the need for technological intervention in increasing the production of pashmina wool.
Commissioner Secretary, Commerce and Industries, Saugat Biswas, informed the LG that 45 metric tonnes of pashmina wool is produced in Ladakh annually. He also informed that the pashmina herders were paid Rs 3,325 per kg last year which has been increased to Rs 3,850 this year.
The stakeholders engaged in the rearing of pashmina goats and the sale of pashmina wool apprised LG of the issues faced by them such as other lucrative jobs that offer better income; low income from the sale of pashmina wool; availability of fodder for livestock, particularly in the winter; lack of amenities for herders and their children in remote areas of Ladakh; the high mortality rate of pashmina goats and their kids due to diseases such as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), sub-zero temperatures in the winter and attack of wild animals, etc.
Mishra assured to look into their issues and accordingly prepare a comprehensive plan for the increase in the population of pashmina goats, increase in production of pashmina wool and help them sell pashmina at a good rate.
Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Namgyal Yakzee; Councillors from LAHDC Leh- Ishey Spalzang (Nyoma), Konchok Stanzin (Chushul), Karma Namdak (Korzok), Thinles Nurboo (Kungyam); chairpersons of Block Development Councils (BDCs) from Changthang; herders, rearers and representatives from All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Marketing Society were present in the meeting.
Besides Biswas, Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Ravinder Kumar; Deputy Commissioner Leh, Shrikant Suse; Director, Animal Husbandry, Mohd Raza and District Sheep Husbandry Officer, Leh, Dr Tundup Namgail were among the officials present in the meeting.
