Nyoma, Aug 16: Two important initiatives aimed at empowering Pashmina herders, strengthening traditional skills and preserving the rich Pashmina heritage of Changthang were launched at Nyoma today.
The initiatives were inaugurated by Sh. Nitish Rajora, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Changthang, in the presence of officials and representatives of the Department of Cooperatives, Department of Handlooms & Handicrafts and Department of Animal Husbandry, Ladakh.
The first initiative is a 15-day Short-Term Skill Upgradation Training Programme on Spinning and Weaving, being facilitated by the Department of Handlooms & Handicrafts in coordination with the Departments of Cooperatives and Animal Husbandry. The training, being conducted from August 16 to August 31, 2026, is aimed at strengthening traditional skills and enhancing livelihood opportunities for local communities.
The training is being conducted at four identified centres in Changthang/Nyoma: Durbuk Community Hall for Weaving, Tangtse Community Hall for Weaving, and Chushool Common Facility Centre (CFC) for Spinning , Training Centre Nyoma . The programme will focus specifically on improving participants’ skills in spinning and weaving and promoting greater value addition in the Pashmina and handloom value chain.
The second initiative is a month-long Pashmina Authorised User Registration Drive. Under the drive, the Department of Cooperatives and Department of Handlooms & Handicrafts, in coordination with the Department of Animal Husbandry, are jointly facilitating Pashmina herders in filing their applications for Authorised User registration under the Geographical Indications (GI) framework.
The applications will subsequently be processed and forwarded to the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, for consideration and issuance of Authorised User Certificates to eligible applicants. The initiative will provide formal recognition to genuine Pashmina herders and help strengthen the authenticity, traceability and identity of Ladakh Pashmina.
The registration drive is being taken directly to Pashmina-producing communities to make the filing process accessible to herders. The departments have urged all eligible Pashmina herders to come forward and participate in the drive so that their applications can be facilitated and submitted for registration.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Changthang, Sh. Nitish Rajora, IAS, appreciated the coordinated efforts of the Departments of Cooperatives, Handlooms & Handicrafts and Animal Husbandry in strengthening the Pashmina ecosystem. He emphasised the need to preserve traditional skills while ensuring greater institutional recognition and livelihood opportunities for communities whose livelihoods are closely linked with Pashmina production.
The two initiatives reaffirm the Administration’s commitment to empowering Pashmina herders, preserving traditional skills, strengthening GI-based recognition and further developing the Pashmina value chain of Changthang.
