- Rs 8 crore Revolving Fund provided to All Changthang Pashmina Growers Marketing Cooperative Society for timely payments to herders
Leh, August 9: In a landmark development aimed at strengthening the Ladakh Pashmina sector and empowering the nomadic Pashmina herders, Lt. Governor, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena today disbursed Rs 1.10 crore to over 1200 Pashmina herders as part of the production-based incentive, announced in the first meeting of Ladakh Pashmina Development Board on 5 July 2026.
LG, Shri Saxena, who was in Korzok to attend the Changthang Nomadic Festival 2026, on the banks of the pristine Tsomoriri Lake, said the 25 per cent production-based incentive, introduced for the first time, would enhance the income, profitability and sustainability of nomadic Pashmina growers. He noted that the incentive has already resulted in a higher raw Pashmina collection of 19 MT as of July this year, compared to 16 MT for the entire year 2025.
Under the scheme, Rs 1.10 crore was transferred through DBT to over 1,200 Pashmina herders mostly belonging to Samad, Kharnak and Korzok villages in Changthang district, which are known to be the biggest producers of Pashmina wool. Among these villages, Samad received around Rs 44 lakh, Kharnak Rs 28 lakh and Korzok Rs 23 lakh, forming the largest shares of the subsidy.
The Lieutenant Governor said 60 per cent of the incentive received by the beneficiaries would be reinvested in scientific breeding of Pashmina goats, the other 20 per cent in procuring modern combing equipment and basic infrastructure, while the remaining 20 per cent could be utilised by the beneficiaries for household and personal needs, thereby ensuring financial sustainability of the herders.
The LG also announced that a revolving fund of Rs 8 crore had been provided to the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Marketing Cooperative Society, which runs the Pashmina dehairing plant in Leh, to ensure timely payments to growers for their produce. Using this fund, 50 per cent of the Pashmina cost will be paid immediately to the producers, with the balance to be paid within two months, eliminating the earlier payment delays of 8 –10 months.
Calling for greater adoption of scientific practices, Shri Saxena urged Pashmina growers to work towards increasing average fibre production from 200 grams per goat at present to at least 350 grams per goat and raising the Pashmina goat population from around 2 lakh at present to at least 4 lakh within three years, through scientific breeding. He also stressed upon improving the cleanliness and quality of raw Pashmina to reduce wastage and secure better prices.
The LG termed Ladakh Pashmina as a “Timeless Heritage” of Ladakh and its Changpa nomadic community, who have mastered the craft of pashmina rearing over the centuries. Shri Saxena said the Changpa community represents a living example of resilience, sustainability and harmonious coexistence with nature.
“Pashmina is not merely a product; it is a part of Ladakh’s cultural identity and the livelihood of thousands of our pastoral families. Our objective is to ensure that those who have preserved this heritage for generations receive a greater share of its economic value. The UT Administration’s decision of 25% production-based incentive and the Rs 8-cr Revolving Fund is strengthening the Pashmina value chain and improving returns to nomadic pastoral communities,” said L-G Shri Saxena.
Meanwhile, the Changthang Nomadic Festival saw a huge turnout of more than 10,000 people, including a large number of foreign tourists as well as the locals. The festival, which started as a local celebration a few years back, has now emerged as an international event, drawing visitors from across India and abroad. The LG added that the Changthang Nomadic Festival has emerged as an important platform for showcasing Changpa culture, traditional pastoral practices, handicrafts, music, dance, cuisine and way of life to audiences at the national and international level.