Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government is determined to boost Pashmina wool production in the state.
The hill state records about 1000 kilogram Pashmina wool production annually at present and aims to double it in next five years, according to Animal Husbandry Minister, Virender Kanwar. He said the state government will distribute around 638 goats of Chanthangi and Chegu breeds to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in Pashmina producing snow bound areas of the state under centrally sponsored National Livestock Mission. The minister said under the mission 29 units (10 Doe +1 Buck in each unit) of Chanthangi goats and 29 units (10 Doe +1 Buck in each unit) of Chegu goats will be distributed to the BPL families in Lahaul Spiti, Pangi valley in Chamba and Kinnaur districts to encourage Pashmina production. He said each unit will cost Rs 70,000 to government agencies.