Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday disbursed ₹1.10 crore to more than 1,200 nomadic Pashmina herders under a newly introduced production-based incentive scheme aimed at strengthening the region’s Pashmina sector.
The incentive was distributed during the Changthang Nomadic Festival 2026 at Korzok near Tsomoriri Lake. According to the administration, the 25 per cent production-based incentive was approved during the first meeting of the Ladakh Pashmina Development Board on July 5 this year.
Officials said the amount was transferred through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to herders from Samad, Kharnak and Korzok villages, which are among the major Pashmina-producing areas in Changthang. Samad received around ₹44 lakh, Kharnak ₹28 lakh and Korzok ₹23 lakh.
Addressing the gathering, Saxena said the incentive scheme was intended to improve the income and sustainability of nomadic Pashmina growers. He said raw Pashmina collection had reached 19 metric tonnes by July this year compared to 16 metric tonnes during the whole of 2025.
The Lieutenant Governor also announced a revolving fund of ₹8 crore for the All Changthang Pashmina Growers Marketing Cooperative Society, which operates the Pashmina dehairing plant in Leh. The fund is aimed at ensuring timely payments to growers, with 50 per cent of the procurement cost to be paid immediately and the balance within two months.
According to the administration, beneficiaries will utilise 60 per cent of the incentive for scientific breeding of Pashmina goats, 20 per cent for modern combing equipment and basic infrastructure, while the remaining 20 per cent may be used for household needs.
Saxena urged herders to adopt scientific breeding practices to increase average fibre production and expand the Pashmina goat population over the next three years. He also stressed the need to improve the quality and cleanliness of raw Pashmina to secure better returns.
The Changthang Nomadic Festival, attended by more than 10,000 people including tourists and local residents, showcased the culture, traditions, handicrafts, music and pastoral lifestyle of the Changpa community, officials said.
