Ladakh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena inspected the Pashmina Dehairing Plant in Leh, underlining the administration’s focus on strengthening Ladakh’s traditional Pashmina sector and improving income opportunities for local herders and artisans. The visit highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise wool processing infrastructure and position Ladakhi Pashmina as a premium global product.
During the inspection, officials briefed the Lieutenant Governor about the upgraded machinery installed at the plant and the processing techniques used to separate fine Pashmina fibre from coarse outer hair. This dehairing stage is considered one of the most critical processes in preparing high-quality Pashmina wool for luxury textile production.
Authorities informed Saxena that the facility’s production capacity has increased significantly after technological upgrades. Earlier, the plant could process only around 1.5 kilograms of dehaired wool per hour, but the new system can now handle nearly 10 kilograms per hour, improving both efficiency and fibre quality. Officials also said the upgraded system produces finer wool with fewer flakes and reduced guard hair, resulting in longer and softer fibres suitable for premium-grade fabric manufacturing.
The Lieutenant Governor stressed the need to create stronger market linkages, improve branding, and increase local value addition so that more economic benefits remain within Ladakh instead of raw wool being sent outside the region for processing. He also highlighted the importance of supporting the Changpa pastoral community, which rears Changthangi goats in the high-altitude Changthang region and forms the backbone of Ladakh’s Pashmina economy.
Officials explained that Ladakh produces some of the world’s finest Pashmina wool, with fibre diameters typically ranging between 13 and 15 microns, while wool from baby goats can measure as fine as 12 microns, making it among the softest natural fibres globally. Around 35% fine dehaired Pashmina is obtained from every kilogram of raw wool processed at the Leh facility.
The administration also discussed plans to promote Pashmina-linked tourism and improve awareness about authentic Ladakhi Pashmina products. Officials believe that expanding processing infrastructure and improving branding could help Ladakh emerge as an internationally recognised hub for luxury Pashmina wool while generating more employment opportunities in handicrafts and textile-related industries.
