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Changthangi Goats: A rich source of pashmina production in Ladakh

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

T.K. Bhattacharya ,
S.S. Misra ,
F.D. Sheikh ,
P. Kumar  and
A. Sharma
T.K. Bhattacharya
Affiliation:
Animal Genetics Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, U.P.-243122, India
S.S. Misra
Affiliation:
Animal Genetics Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, U.P.-243122, India
F.D. Sheikh
Affiliation:
Animal Genetics Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, U.P.-243122, India
P. Kumar
Affiliation:
Animal Genetics Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, U.P.-243122, India
A. Sharma
Affiliation:
Animal Genetics Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, U.P.-243122, India
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Summary

Pashmina, internationally known as “cashmere”, a fine luxury fibre, is being produced from Changthangi goats bred in the Ladakh region of India. The Leh district of Greater Ladakh produces around 30 000 kg of pashmina fibre which is harvested from about 0.15 million Changthangi goats reared by the Changpa nomads in Changthang region of Greater Ladakh. Changthangi goats are sometimes also called Changra goats. Pashmina producing goats are of great importance for revitalising the economy of the poverty stricken region of Changthang and the Leh district of Ladakh. The information on Changthangi goats was collected from both small and large-scale farmers in Ladakh, and 337 animals were included in the study.

The body colour of Changthangi goats varies from white to light brown and nearly whole body is covered with pashmina and long hairs. The average birth weights of male and female kids were estimated as 2.11 ± 0.3 and 2.06 ± 0.2 kg, respectively while weight at 300 days was found to be 20.0 ± 2.1 and 18.7 ± 1.9 kg in male and females respectively.

The pashmina yields of bucks, does, male hoggets and female hoggets were estimated as 402 ± 19 g, 248 ± 14 g, 255 ± 12 and 280 ± 16 g, respectively. The length of pashmina fibre was found to be 4.25 ± 1.2 cm in males and 4.02 ± 1.5 cm in females while fibre diameter in male and female goats was estimated as 12.9 ± 2.6 μ and 13.0 ± 3.0 μ, respectively.

The twining rate was found to be very low, nearly 0.3%. A preliminary study at DNA level with PCR-RFLP indicated monomorphism at the growth hormone gene. The occurrence of disease was quite low although some genetic deformities in this breed were not uncommon.

Resumen

La “pashmina”, fibra lujosa conocida internazionalmente como “cashmere”, se produce a partir del pelo de las cabras de raza Changthangi provenientes de la región de Ladakh en la India. En el districto de Leh, en la zona Alta de Ladakh, se producen arlededor de 30 000 kg de fibra pashmina proveniente de 0,15 millones de cabras Changthangi criadas por los nómadas Changpa en la región de Changthan en la zona Alta de Ladakh. Esta raza de cabras Chanthangi a veces es conocida también como Changra. La producción de pashmina es de gran importancia para revitalizar la economía de gran pobreza de la región de Changthang. La información sobre las cabras Changthangi se base en datos provenientes tanto de pequeñas como medianas ganaderías del Ladakh y comprende para este estudio 337 animales.

La capa de las cabras Changthangi varía del blanco al marrón claro y a menudo todo el cuerpo está cubierto de pelo largo de pashmina. El peso medio al nacimiento del macho y de la hembra ha sido estimado en, 2,11 ± 0,3 y 2,06 ± 0,2 kg, respectivamente; mientras que el peso a los 300 días fue de 20,0 ± 2,1 y 18,7 ± 1,9 kg, respectivamente.

El rendimiento medio de pashmina en el macho cabrío, en la cabra, y en los jóvenes machos y hembras se estimó en 402 ± 19, 248 ± 14, 255 ± 12 y 280 ± 16 g, respectivamente. La longitud de la fibra de pashmina fue de 4,25 ± 1,2 cm en los machos y 4,02 ± 1,5 cm en las hembras, mientras que el diámetro en los machos y hembras fue de 12,9 ± 2,6 μ y 13,0 ± 3,0 μ, respectivamente.

La media de partos dobles fue muy baja, alrededor del 0,3%. Un primer estudio del nivel de ADN con PCR-RFLP indicó un monomorfismo en el gen de la hormona de crecimiento. El nivel de enfermedad en esta raza es bastante bajo a pesar de la presencia común de algunas deformidades genéticas.

Keywords

Changthangi goatEvolutionGrowthPashminaPCR-RFLPProductionReproduction
Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 35 , April 2004 , pp. 75 - 85
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2004

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References

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