\r\nThe Hill Council, Leh has approved a skill development programme to tap yak and double humped camel wool and a meeting was held on the same at Council on October 3.\r\n

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\r\nIt was organised by Animal Husbandry Department Leh in principle supported by National Institute of Research on Jute and Allied Fibre Technology ( NIRJAFT) under India Council of Agriculture Research ( ICAR) Kolkata. \r\n

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\r\nSo far, it is not been properly utilised and marketed in Leh district which is available only in Leh region of India and has immense potential at international level.\r\n

\r\nAfter the discussion on the potentials of yak and camel wool specially the fine undercoat/wool known to be as fine as Pashmina fibres and other basic requirements needed to exploit these local raw materials like technical support, transfer of technology, design intervention, branding, skill development training, marketing etc.\r\n

\r\nThe meeting decided to focus on collection of yak and camel fibres initially from breeders by developing a system of fibre collection.\r\n

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\r\nDr. Dawa, CEC suggested for forming a cooperative society of Yak and Camel wool like All Changthang Pashmina Growers Cooperative Society Leh and if required a policy will be adopted in next general council meeting to bring yak and camel wool products under the ambit of skill development programme of the district. He also assured to sanction required funds from Council for the master trainers of Leh who will receive training from NIRJAFT, Kolkata in near future. \r\n

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\r\nTo ensure a steady supply of raw wools in future, the meeting felt the need of an increase in the population in yak and camel and he directed Animal Husbandry department to design a comprehensive programme in this regard. \r\n

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\r\nThe meeting also felt the need of mass awareness among yak and camel breeders about the importance this animal and Executive Councillors and Councillors can play a major role in this regard. \r\n

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\r\nAppreciating the endeavor of Dr. Alok Nath Roy who came all the way from Kolkata with the idea of value addition in these local products, Dr. Dawa also speaks very high about the Yak and Camel wool products like Jackets, cushion cover made by NIRJAFT, Kolkata showcased in the meeting. Dr. Alok also assured every possible support to take these two products to next level.\r\n

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\r\nEarlier, Chief Animal Husbandry Officer Leh Dr. Mohd Iqbal gave a detail power point presentation about the proposed skill development project for Yak and Camel wool and informed the meeting that at present there are 266 double humped camels in Leh district. And as per livestock census 2012 there was 18,877 yak population in the district.  \r\n

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\r\nThe meeting was also attended by Executive Councilor for Higher Education Dorjey Motup, Executive Councilor for Animal and Sheep Mumtaz Hussain, Director NIRJAFT Kolkata Dr. Alok Nath Roy, senior doctors of Animal Husbandry Office Leh headed by Chief Animal Husbandry Officer Leh Dr. Mohd Iqbal and officers of Handicraft and Handloom department Leh.\r\n