LEH, OCT 23: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh V.K. Saxena on Friday inaugurated the two-day Ladakh Pashmina Conclave 2026 in Leh, bringing together policymakers, industry experts, international delegates and stakeholders to explore strategies for strengthening the region’s globally renowned pashmina industry, enhancing value addition and expanding its footprint in international markets.
Organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce, UT Ladakh, under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the conclave aims to promote sustainable production, improve processing infrastructure, encourage international collaboration and establish stronger market linkages for Ladakh Pashmina.
A key highlight of the inaugural session was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Textiles and the UT Administration of Ladakh to strengthen cooperation for the development of the pashmina sector. The agreement marks an important step towards coordinated efforts to support traditional producers, improve the sector’s competitiveness and explore opportunities for greater value addition and market expansion.
A special postal cover celebrating GI-tagged Ladakh Pashmina textiles was also released in the presence of the Lieutenant Governor and other dignitaries, highlighting the distinctive identity, cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship associated with the region’s celebrated textile products. The initiative underscored the importance of preserving indigenous skills while promoting greater recognition of Ladakh Pashmina in domestic and international markets.
As part of the conclave, international delegates visited a pashmina dehairing plant and industrial facilities to gain first-hand insights into the region’s processing infrastructure, production practices and opportunities for technological advancement. The visit provided a platform to explore potential areas of cooperation, knowledge exchange and improvements in the pashmina value chain.
The Director of Industries also inaugurated exhibition stalls showcasing pashmina products and related handicrafts, offering producers and industry participants an opportunity to display their products, highlight traditional skills and engage with potential buyers and stakeholders.
Pashmina production remains an important source of livelihood for communities in Ladakh, particularly those associated with the rearing of Changthangi goats and the collection and processing of fine pashmina fibre. Strengthening processing facilities, product development, branding and market access is crucial to improving returns for local producers while ensuring the sustainability of this traditional industry.
The two-day conclave is expected to facilitate discussions on sectoral challenges, emerging market opportunities and measures to enhance the competitiveness of Ladakh Pashmina. The initiative seeks to bring government institutions, industry representatives, traditional producers and international stakeholders onto a common platform to promote collaboration and support the long-term growth of the region’s distinctive pashmina industry.
