Lift ban on shahtoosh, Centre told

Standing Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests has urged the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to lift the ban on trade in shahtoosh, the finest wool woven from the underfur of the endangered chiru or Tibetan antelope. The panel urged the to breed and conserve the chiru on vast lands, extract their fur and give it to Kashmiri weavers who are renowned for making shahtoosh products. This would not only provide livelihood to Kashmiris but also help revive the chiru. Shahtoosh trade was banned globally in 1975 and the chiru is listed under Schedule 1 of India's Wildlife Protection Act.