Question: Which of the following statements regarding Pashmina wool is not correct?
(a) Pashmina wool is obtained from a special breed of sheep, Changthangi.
(b) BIS certification will help curb the adulteration and also protect the real producers.
(c) Pashmina wool has a thickness of 100-120 micron.
(d) Ladakh produces 50 MT of the finest grade of Pashmina in the world.
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
- Bureau of Indian Standard has published an Indian Standard for identification, marketing and labelling of Pashmina products.
- Ms. Smriti Irani, Minister of Textile and Women and Child Development said that the certification will help curb the adulteration of Pashmina and also protect the interests of local artisans and nomads who are the producers of Pashmina raw material.
- It will also discourage counterfeit or substandard products presently mislabeled and sold as genuine Pashmina in the market and also assure the purity of Pashmina for customers.
- It will also assure better prices for the goat herding community in Ladakh as well as for the local handloom artisans producing genuine Pashmina products, currently a disadvantaged lot due to rampant marketing malpractices.
- Ladakh produces 50 MT of the finest grade of Pashmina in the world (12-15 microns).
- The Changthangi or Pashmina goat is a special breed of goat indigenous to the high altitude regions of Ladakh and Kashmir.
- Presently 2400 families are rearing 2.5 lakh goats; they are raised for ultra-fine cashmere wool, known as Pashmina after weaving.