A goat could be the key to future of poor tribes
HIMACHAL Pradesh is promoting pashmina, a fine variant of spun cashmere, by encouraging shepherds settled in high mountains where temperatures can drop as low as -20°C to breed Himalayan goats.
The Changthangi goat plays an important role in revitalising the economy of the poverty-stricken tribes.
The state produces 1 metric ton of pashmina wool a year and it aims to double its production in five years, Animal Husbandry Minister Virender Kanwar said.
These goats provide the wool for Kashmir’s famous pashmina shawls that are in huge demand worldwide.
The state will provide 638 goats of the Changthangi and Chegu breeds to families in the pashminaproducing snowbound areas in the Lahaul-spiti and Kinnaur districts and Pangi, in the district of Chamba, under the National Livestock Mission, he said.
At present, pashmina is produced predominantly in Darcha, Yochi, Rarik-chika villages and Mayar valley in Lahaul, besides Kibber, Langza and Hangang in Spiti, Nako, Namgya and Leo in the Kinnaur district and certain areas in the Pangi valley of Chamba.
There are around 10 organised shawl manufacturing units working in the state. They are located in Rampur in the Shimla district, Sundernagar and Mandi in the
Mandi district, Shamshi and Hurla in the Kullu district and Sangla and Reckong Peo in the Kinnaur district.
Around 90% of pashmina wool is used in garments such as shawls, stoles and scarves, and the remaining 10% in other products including high-end coat tweeds.
Pashmina wool is sold mainly through retailers.
Shawl manufacturers use predominantly white and natural grey wool in their products.